Philanthropists turn Covid warriors

Abohar: A group of social activists led by Parveen Chawla has started raising funds to help meet the needs of middle class families in Abohar. Oximeters are being provided to patients on a use-and-return basis. The family of Arorvansh Sabha ex-patron Charan Dass Pahuja presented 151 cylinders to the first oxygen plant in Hanumangarh while 51 cylinders were donated by the Chalana family. The management of DAV College, Raisinghnagar, has presented three oxygen concentrators and 10 oximeters to SDM Arpita Soni for government hospital. Sanjeev Mundra of Sriganganagar donated 1,250 N-95 masks, 10 oximeters and 10 thermometer guns for the police personnel. Narendra Kothari of Suratgarh has given 1,000 masks and 100 liters of sanitiser for police personnel and health workers.

CM pats cop for timely help

Abohar: Impressed by Abohar DSP Rahul Bhardwaj, who was seen visiting Covid-affected families to deliver free food at their doorsteps, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday called the cop and appreciated the work done by him. The CM also encouraged Bhardwaj to continue the same spirit and carry on this humanitarian work. The call was unexpected but morale-boosting, Bhardwaj said. “In addition to positive patients, if their family members need food, the same should be provided at their home. For this 24-hour service, families were requested to call the helpline number 112 and 181 to inform them about the need for food. Arrangements have been made to deliver food packets at their homes with utmost vigilance, he said.

NGO gets foreign funds for initiative

Fatehgarh Sahib: The Federal Government of Canada has selected Mehar Baba Charitable Trust, an NGO from the district, for Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). It received $36,268 (Rs 20.16 lakh) for its project “Digital Empowerment of Rural Women of Punjab”. The trust is running the project in collaboration with High Commission of Canada in India and the INUS Global Charity, US. “The aim of the project is to increase the social status, economic empowerment, skills and decision-making power of more than 500 rural women artisans belonging to 51 villages of the district during the Covid crisis,” said Robin Gupta, manager of the Trust.

MLA’s goodwill gesture

Fazilka: Jalalabad Congress MLA Raminder Singh Awla has donated an ambulance costing Rs 40 lakh from his own pocket for Covid patients of the border areas of Jalalabad segment. The ambulance named as mini mobile hospital is equipped with all facilities, including oxygen. It will visit villages, particularly containment zones, to offer medicines, pulse oximeter, thermometer, etc, to patients. A doctor and other staff will also accompany the ambulance. The MLA had also donated four ventilators, PPE kits, 30,000 senitisers, 3,000 ration kits and two-year salary being offered to him as member of the legislative Assembly last year.

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