High-schoolers come to Covid patients’ rescue
Suffering inspires compassion. Proving this are school-goers, who are channelising their energy towards serving humanity amid these grim, uncertain times. As most high school exams stand postponed or cancelled, these youngsters are saving lives by providing verified leads to those looking for oxygen cylinders, plasma donors, ICU beds, etc.
“I was casually talking to my cousin when she told me about her friend’s mother, who needed plasma. Moved by her condition, I started digging up resources and making phone calls,” says Ananya Sharma, a class XII student of a Ghaziabad-based school, adding, “The next day, I saw an Instagram story of a girl looking for an ICU bed for her grandfather. Luckily, I was able to help her, and it felt magical! Eventually, I joined a lot of WhatsApp groups through which I got connected to more volunteers. One thing led to another, and volunteering became a full-time thing.”
With eyes that shine with the dream of a pandemic-free world, these young guns are leaving no stone unturned. “An 11-year-old boy from Hisar came to meet me after I saved his father’s life; it was the best feeling ever! Ek insaan dusre ki madad nahi karega to kaun karega?” says Bhumik Dirolia, a student of a Haryana-based school, adding, “Initially, when I started helping people, I got 20-30 calls. Now, I get 200 calls per day. I verify each and every lead personally, whether it’s 20 or 200, and share them with a patient or their relatives. I’ve also donated a part of my pocket money to help provide ventilators, oxygen, medicines, etc. to the needy... I want to set an example among the youth that we can all make India corona free!”
And these youngsters even understand the importance of a mere heartfelt conversation. “A lot of my friends who tested positive needed someone to talk to, I was there for them. I helped ease their fears and even read them stories… I donated my pocket money to foundations helping Covid-19 patients with oxygen cylinders. Though I can’t go out, I make sure I’m able to help in whatever capacity I can, as there’s not much to study now since exams have been postponed,” says Nikhil Kumar, a class XII student at a Delhi-based public school.