Amid prevalent situation due to COVID-19 pandemic, the chaos and confusion amidst reports about shortage of oxygen and medicines across Jammu and Kashmir has taken a heavy toll on the patients and their families in the last over one month.
However, the youth in large numbers from almost all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir are out to help the patients in need, especially to those who are tested positive for COVID-19.
The youth have been collecting details about the patients in need through WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms.
‘SOS’, is the most common name preferred by these youth on social media platforms where families, relatives and friends of patients have been posting details to seek help for emergency supplies like Oxygen cylinders, Oxygen concentrators and medicines.
Adnan Fayaz Dar, who hails from Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, is one among the hundreds of youth who is serving the general public amid the current crisis.
Dar, a journalism student is nowadays busy helping the patients from across Jammu and Kashmir, mostly from the Valley.
He had created a WhatsApp group almost 20 days back with an aim to help the people in need. “Me along with my four to five friends who were in touch with NGOs decided to create a group titled SOS, where patients can contact for assistance,” he said.
“We began with just five members and now, the group comprises 200 members in just 20 days period. I never imagined that it would prove successful. In just 20 days, we have provided assistance to over 50 patients from across the Valley,” he said, adding that there are some doctors in the group too, who despite having busy work schedules, are assisting the people in terms of medical advice.
“We are just collecting the details of needy and genuine people from across the Valley. The details are being forwarded to NGOs who are providing them help within a shortest possible time,” he said.
Besides, the group mates also provide food kits and other related help to the people belonging to the downtrodden section of the society, he added.
Lateef Gabroo, who operates from Srinagar as a volunteer said that he along with his team have helped approximately 500 people in the last one month. “Our team comprises over 50 members and arranges plasma donors, blood donors, ambulances and ration kits to the people in need,” he said.
He said he has started serving people from last year. “I was in Delhi last year wherefrom I provided assistance to many people affected due to the lockdown and COVID-19. I got various contacts in last year’s lockdown. As the lockdown was imposed yet again in Jammu and Kashmir, I started working for people from Srinagar this time and have been assisting the people in need,” he added.
Gabroo said that he and his team have provided help to over 500 people in the last one month. “Our efforts are on to ensure that the people will not suffer. We are trying our level best to provide assistance to the people amid the current crisis,” he said.
Moreover, Twitter and other social media platforms also remain abuzz with the messages related to the patients who are in need of medicines, Oxygen concentrators or other related things.
KNO