This Independence Day is all about paying tribute to Covid-19 warriors
Right from the beginning of the pandemic, doctors, police and professionals from various fields have been working tirelessly to safeguard us from the virus, putting their own lives on the back seat.
And this Independence Day is all about expressing gratitude to them. While 1,500 Covid-19 warriors are invited to the celebrations at the Red Fort as a special gesture, others in Delhi-NCR have found their own ways of thanking these heroes.
One of invitees for the I-Day celebrations at the Red Fort, Sarvesh Kumar, additional Station House Officer of Kalkaji, says, “This is the first time I will be able to sit in the gathering and see, listen to the Prime Minister. Otherwise, we are usually so occupied in our duty that we don’t get the time to even get a glimpse of him.”
Kumar, who successfully defeated Covid19, took it upon himself to spread awareness about the virus. He says, “After my recovery, I started my first awareness campaign with a doctor in my district, including police stations and colonies.”
Constable Pooja from central Delhi also took up a similar responsibility after defeating the virus. “My duty used to be in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP) and I tested positive for Covid-19. Soon, my husband also tested positive and we were both in quarantine at home. After 15 days, I was back on the job, and again chose LNJP hospital to deliver my service. I felt good after helping patients, as I was trying to make them aware ki corona se darna nahi, ladna hai. Doctors ko bhi wahan din raat mehnat karte dekh himmat badti thi,” she says.
Such inspiring stories have motivated residents of DelhiNCR to also honour Covid-19 warriors. Krishna Singh, a member of Bikerni, an allwomen bikers club, says, “The real heroes of this pandemic are frontline workers, and what could be a better day to express our gratitude to them than I-Day. Yesterday, we visited the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) hospitals in Okhla and distributed masks, sanitisers, gloves, etc to doctors. When we take care of ourselves by wearing masks, follow social distancing and other rules, we also help the frontline workers.” Covid-19 warriors will also be felicitated at the Independence Day celebrations in Gurugram’s Tau Devi Lal Stadium. The event, that will pay tribute to the martyrs of India’s freedom struggle, will begin from 9am today. Virtually, there are also a number of musical tributes by artistes lined up for these heroes. These include a video, which will feature messages from 35 artistes, including Bollywood actors and singers, dedicated to the cops, doctors, scientists and forces of the country.