Frontline Warriors: Apahaj Sahaik Sabha continues to look after elderly at ashram in tough time

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 7

In these testing times that need strict protocol to keep Covid-19 at bay from elderly, Apahaj Ashram in Jalandhar has been following a set of proactive measures for its inmates even with reduced donations and significantly impacted essential services amid the lockdown.

Despite a steady stream of donations, rations and cattle fodder, Apahaj Sahaik Sabha has made substitute arrangements at the ashram, which has 150 inmates and 112 cows in its in-house gaushala, to look after elderly.

Since the lockdown, outsiders, including donors, have been barred from entering the ashram. Instead of the community kitchen, all inmates get hot tea and food in their dorms. Besides, every inmate has been provided with sanitisers and disinfectants. The ashram has already been sanitised five times.

Around 10 inmates are bed-ridden, who are completely dependent on caretakers for any assistance.

Tarsem Kapoor (64), chairman, Apahaj Sahaik Sabha, visits the ashram twice a day – two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. He talked to a donor on Thursday morning to provide mangoes to the inmates.

Kapoor, who just disbursed salaries to the ashram staff, said, “We care for them as our parents. Donations have decreased, but not God’s blessings as help always pours in. Elderly inmates get tea at 7 am and breakfast at 9 am. They are served lunch at 1 pm and evening tea at 3.30 pm. They have dinner at 7 pm. Come what may, this schedule has been religiously followed. I am trying to get them mangoes now. Fruits are necessary nourishment.”

The ashram’s hospital – Lala Ram Kishor Kapoor Viklang Sahayta Trust – has been closed amid the lockdown because many staff members come from areas, which have been declared containment zones.

However, the ashram doctor continues examines the health of inmates twice a week. Earlier, the ashram was providing food to 200 widows daily. But due to the lockdown, the ashram is finding it difficult to feed them.