Joining
Hands For A Better Tomorrow - an initiative undertaken by ‘The Bengal’
in
association with “Rahat” an initiative of Prabha Khaitan Foundation
Kolkata, 25 May 2021: History has proven that in the grim
face of crisis, helplessness and loss, humanity always emerges stronger as
people stand by one another. While the world is having to fight one of the
worst crisis ever known to humankind which is the Covid-19 pandemic that is
claiming lives and livelihood of so many across the world, the masses are doing
their best to be of service and save lives of one another in the face of
desperation and destitute.
It is in this light that The
Bengal, a community organization comprising eminent personalities and
opinion makers from various segments of life in the state of West Bengal, has
come together and joined hands to give their due back to the society by
fighting the pandemic through donations and distribution of aid in such unprecedented
times. This distinctive one of a kind initiative owes its inception to some of
the most brilliant minds in our state, all of who aim to be of utilitarian
benefit during the pandemic. The Bengal has joined hands with the “ Rahat”
initiative of Prabha Khaitan Foundation which has always been by the side of
people in distress be it sending relief to
the affected people post Amphan, distributing blankets to the
underprivileged and so on. Now under this initiative The Bengal has created a
donation campaign wherein they are urging masses to contribute aid to alleviate
the current situation of menace caused by the pandemic and are accepting
donations in kind ranging from medicines oximeters, oxygen cylinders, oxygen
concentrators , hospital beds and anything that can bring some relief to the
ongoing jeopardy. The Bengal is essentially creating a bank of Covid relief
aid, acting as a facilitator between donors and Covid relief agencies, thereby
accelerating relief measures and providing solace and succor to those affected.
Further,
the remarkableness and novelty of the initiative is highlighted by how The
Bengal is converting payments made in cash to services provided in kind. Even
if someone wishes to contribute cash,
The Bengal will immediately connect them to the vendors for purchasing Covid -
relief essentials as per requirement and handover the receipt to the donor,
thereby ensuring outright and absolute transparency in the system. They have
already supplied oxygen concentrators, oximeters, medicines, hospital beds and
so on to many NGOs / Safe Homes like Prayas Foundation. IHA, O2Ku Shawbar,
Calcutta Foundation, Artists Forum, 87
Ward Safe Home. While the world eagerly anticipates a decline in the cases and
overall betterment of the current pandemonium like situation in some time, The
Bengal, however shall be committed to be of service throughout until the corona
virus is completely arrested and no more of a threat to humankind.
Esha
Dutta, Nilanjanaa Sengupta and Swarup Dutta
from The Bengal are jointly supervising the project.
Esha Dutta says, “With our frontline
workers being stretched in their respective services, The Bengal has come
forward to assist the groups and individuals who are working on the ground.
With its extensive network and varied resources at its disposal, The Bengal
endeavours to reach out to all in distress. And the response has been very
encouraging.”
Nilanjanaa
Sengupta feels: “I feel privileged to be a part of The Bengal. The Bengal is
extending its support for all the relief work being done during the pandemic.
It is reaching out to NGOs and people to help them in times of crisis. Every
bit of help counts.”
Ms Manisha Rampuria who is one of the donors has extended her
full support to make this initiative a success by donating anything and
everything for the needy feels, “Distressed by what
I was seeing all around, I felt it time to step forward and do my bit. Each of
us should join in this movement and try to help those that are in so much
despair. Every little help matters .. so let’s do our bit for the sake of
humanity.”
“When we go back in history,
especially during the Bengal plague, Sister Nivedita, Rabindranath Tagore and
many others came out to help and support people in distress. The second wave is
terrible for all of us, but a lot of people are desperately trying to help
others in need,“ says Goutam Ghose veteran filmmaker and working President of
The Bengal.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is wreaking
havoc and it has left people vulnerable and helpless as they have to run from
pillar to post to meet their most basic amenities of survival. The acute
shortage of oxygen cylinders and hospital beds has raised further alarm along
with the steep increase in positive cases everyday. At a time when humanitarian
support is needed the most, The Bengal intends to be of optimal use in giving a
tough fight to Covid-19. We are raising donations in kind that are to be
distributed to those affected by the virus from the economically weaker section
of the society, who have limited means and access to necessary aid, thereby
aiding their speedy recovery,” said Mr Sundeep Bhutoria, Honorary
Secretary, The Bengal.
The Bengal members also include
industrialist H M Bangur, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Arindam Sil, Anandi Ghose, Jogen Chowdhury,
Agnimitra Paul, Bickram Ghosh, Dona Ganguly, Nayantara Palchoudhuri, Sundeep
Bhutoria, Goutam Ghose, June Maliah, K Jaweed Yusuf, Dr Mansoor Alam, Sirshendu
Mukhopadhyay and Usha Uthup.
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