SURAT:Jignesh Gandhi, a 44-year-old businessman from the city, has taken up the cudgels to feed more than 1,000 poor people ever since the lockdown, twice a day. What’s more he even personally visits the localities to provide the food.
“I come from a very poor family and have seen struggle in my life. I can feel the pain of being poor,” said Gandhi, a resident of Bhatar area in the city. Their group, called ‘Alliance Club of Surat Hope’ is actively involved in providing education to more than 5,000 underprivileged children in and around Surat.
“Since the lockdown happened, we decided to reach out to the poor and the daily wage earners, who are the worst hit in this lockdown and are unable to feed themselves. So, we prepare food for 1000 people twice a day and distribute it to people in different localities in the city,” Gandhi told TOI on Saturday.
“A temple in Jahangirpura area has given us their space to cook food for these many people and from there we also distribute the food. There are many daily wagers who have no money at all to buy essentials. We find them out and give them food. We will continue to serve these people till it requires our help,” Gandhi added.
Apart from providing cooked food to people, Gandhi’s NGO has also provided grocery kits to more than 4,800 people in the last 10 days. Each kit contains 5kg flour, 3kg rice, 1 litre edible oil, 2kg tur dal and 1kg of moong dal.
“We are also going to provide medicines to the people living in old-age home in the city,” Gandhi added.
SMC officials and various teams from all departments are working on war front in response to COVID 19 global pandemic. Along with the help from local NGOs and seva santhas, SMC has taken up round the clock relief measures to provide shelter to the homeless and needy, along with food for the hungry and Low Income Groups(LIG). Distribution of various food kits and necessary essentials were done at various SMC schools which are transformed into Help Care Centres.
21 DAYS LOCKDOWN IN INDIA
Novel coronavirus lead COVID-19 disease has been declared as global pandemic by WHO. In response to curb the spread of this disease, worldwide countries have restricted movement of citizens and undergone lockdown as per the severity and emergency situations. India has announced 21 days lockdown to restrict the spread of COVID-19. Due to lockdown situation, most of the low income group and daily wagers are the most impacted. To take of them as well as homeless in this condition government of Gujarat along with the central goverment guidelines has arranged for various relief camps and food distribution centres.
RELIEF CENTRES IN SURAT BY SMC & NGOs
Surat Municipal Corporation has taken up this task at war-front like alertness with use of technology and innovative ideas to respond this crisis. SMC has transformed various SMC schools into relief camps and food kit distribution centres. In regards to this SMC has set up 20 Relief Centres all over the city including 5 in Varachha-A Zone, 1 in Varachha-B Zone, 7 in Central Zone, 2 in Katargam Zone, 1 in Limbayat Zone, 1 in Rander Zone, 2 in Udhna Zone and 1 in Athwa Zone.
Needy people will be provided food along with shelter in this relief centres. Guidelines related to social distance to avoid spread of infection are also shared with inmates. As of 3rd April 2020 around 5700 people have been provided shelter in this camps.
DISTRIBUTION OF KITS AT RELIEF CENTRES
JHANGIRBAD, RANDER
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at jhangirbad Rander #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/ilpHPJb93I
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at ugat zhopadpati #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/UKhJXdFNyA
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at adajan gaam Zupadpati #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/PVmaylVIjA
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at khatodara school no 45 #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/UIXRLuzoYW
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases. Today such event was held at sch 304, Parvat Gaam #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/skw6OCPXLo
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases. Today such event was held at school no. 178, Viram Nagar #CoronaKoHaranapic.twitter.com/RrFkPdZIsu
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases. Today such event was held School 302 Magob, Parvat patiya. #CoronaKoHaranapic.twitter.com/F976uM6ONO
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held by Krishna nagar sch 98 #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/dwyLyAAUVL
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at Ramdev Nagar #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/byaUCulJjt
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at rein Patel Nagar #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/Z4kOrUpAKF
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at Suman school no. 5 nilgiri circle #CoronaKoHaranapic.twitter.com/ir48gYgLEr
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases. Today such event was held at Krishna Nagar kapodra #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/WOvxFxG7mX
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases. Today such event was held at panduranga kankoje school, amroli #CoronaKoHaranapic.twitter.com/AISUDr7fd9
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases. Today such event was held halpativas daman faliyu. #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/tOt3iiobeF
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at Mohan ni chal #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/XO9thgSJLM
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at bhimnagar #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/gEYCPKYiSX
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases today such event was held at Nehru Nagar #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/YGiDmjHyce
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases. Today such event was held at shl 251 spinning mill #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/W73Wowlzlj
To help the poor & needy of the city during such time SMC with the help of various NGOs have started donating essential goods & supplies in LIG for the welfare of the poor and needy, on regular bases. Today such event was held at Khodiyar Nagar Bhatar #CoronaKoHarana@MoHFW_INDIApic.twitter.com/dZ1SeJgAL0
Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance & Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) fund has been announced for donation related to COVID-19 pandemic response.
SURAT
SMC has distributed official bank account details for donations from dignitaries and public.
DO YOUR BIT
Stay At Home. Practice Social Distancing. Go out only if necessary.
Eat healthy and reduce waste. Cook what you can eat.
Help those in need in whichever way you can by maintaining social distancing or using electronic media.
Don’t over stock any essentials. Supply will be maintained, as seen.
Stay in touch with your loved ones via calls / video calls. Share love and care.
Stay away from rumors. Watch your favourite shows & movies.
Do light exercises at home. Do Yoga or Meditation for better experience.
APPRECIATION
SMC Officials are working across the clock with vigilance, alertness and timely updates to citizens. All the teams involved in this work from SMC, Police Force, NGOs, Tracking Team, Healthcare, Cleanliness, Sanitization, Emergency Squads and all the workforce involved directly and indirectly, deserve an appreciation for keeping Surat Safe in this difficult situation. Surat stands strong as always. Share your appreciation in comments below or on social media. #ThankyouSMC #ThankyouSuratPolice
If you find any valuable information regarding COVID-19 or have any details of people in need or difficulty please share below in comments. Information is provided by @mySuratmySMC on timely basis on twitter.
