Coronavirus concern

INDIA continues to battle its second coronavirus wave, with at least 20 milllion said to be infected so far.

There have been scenes of families begging on social media for oxygen cylinders for their loved ones; of patients struggling to breathe in ambulances and cars outside hospitals filled to capacity; and crematoriums building makeshift pyres for bodies they cannot accommodate.

In response to the crisis, numerous UK-based charities and organisations have made efforts to help India. The British Asian Trust has raised more than £2 million, with funding set to help distribute oxygen concentrators to hospitals in need.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in the UK raised more than £500,000 in six days to support BAPS’s Covid-19 relief work in India.

Some British medics have even been offering telephone consultations to support overwhelmed colleagues thousands of miles away as they battle with the surge in cases.

Despite these efforts to help, there will undoubtably be countless British Asians who find the ongoing situation overwhelming and stressful – even as infections drop in the UK and the country gradually gets out of a long lockdown.

Watching the horrifying situation unfold in India will be difficult for many – especially those with deep personal ties to the country.

Many have family and friends affected by the crisis – and it is uncertain when they will be able to reunite, given the strict quarantine and travel restrictions imposed by the UK government. Some will even be unable to attend the funerals of loved ones, due to constraints.

Staying united in crisis – whether it is donating to charities, setting up funding efforts or supporting loved ones – will be incredibly important in the coming weeks, as the situation potentially worsens.

It is vital that we pull together during this time and ensure we are there to support one another. Sharing worries and fears, checking in with one another and supporting each other during this time of anxiety and grief may appear to be small gestures, but are vital for families, both in the UK and India, caught in the grip of this relentless pandemic.