In 1984, Dr Ismail started his first polyclinic in Karama, which soon became a familiar name for patients from South Asian communities in Dubai.
UAE resident Dr Ismail Kazia and his family are among the latest recipients of the coveted Golden Visa, thanks to his service in the field of medicine.
Hailing from Bhatkal, a coastal town in the state of Karnataka, India, Dr Ismail came to Dubai in 1982, at a time when only a few localities existed, together with a few hospitals and clinics. Karama has been his home ever since.
The doctor took up a post at an American clinic — but though he was “offered a good salary compared to other hospitals”, he said he soon realised there was a specific need for a clinic in Karama.
In 1984, he started the Dr Ismail Polyclinic in Karama, which soon became a familiar name for patients from the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nepali community in Dubai.
“We are very blessed and thankful for the Golden Visa, which is valid till May 2031,” he said, adding, “A few doctors in my hospital have also been granted the visa for their service during the pandemic.”
Dr Ismail has four sons, all of whom have followed him into the medical profession to become doctors themselves.
The eldest, Dr Mohammed Dawood Kazia, holds a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) in Gastroenterology, while his second son, Dr Mohammed Nooh Kazia, works as an endodontist at their polyclinic in Karama.
The third son, Dr Sheesh Kazia, is presently working at Kanachur Medical College in Mangalore, Karnataka — while his younger brother, Dr Mohammed Yusha Kazia, completed his MBBS recently.
Dr Ismail also has a son-in-law, Dr Anas Mohtesham, who works at the Royal Wing of Rashid Hospital.
The oldest, Dr Dawood Kazia, said: “It’s a blessing to work here in Dubai. My brothers, who are presently in India, have also been granted Golden Visas by the authorities. My younger brother Dr Sheesh will also join us in the coming days. We thank the authorities for recognising the efforts of doctors.”
Dr Ismail now has a day surgical centre in Karama along with six polyclinics at various locations in Dubai. He also has clinics at labour camps in Al Quoz, Jebel Ali and Sonapur, which are dedicated to the treatment of labourers at minimal charges.
He has reportedly offered his services to people of over 80 nationalities, something he considers a bit of a personal achievement, given that there are over 200 nationalities residing in Dubai.
ayaz@khaleejtimes.com
source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> News / by SM Ayaz Zakir, Dubai / June 06th, 2021
As many as six graduates have volunteered to work with the MHV, attending calls and assisting the needy.
Vijayapura (Bijapur), KARNATAKA :
For representational purposes
Vijayapura :
A 33-year-old techie from Vijayapura has set up a 24X7 helpline to assist Covid-19 patients in finding beds, oxygen cylinders and medicines. Zahoor Kazi, who works as a software engineer at a private firm in Bengaluru, started ‘Mercy Helpline Vijayapura’ (MHV) on May 14 in collaboration with doctors, activists and other software engineers.
As many as 10 doctors, settled abroad (the USA, the UK and the Middle East) and in the state, have agreed to provide free tele-consultation to the patients, mainly for those in home isolation.As many as six graduates have volunteered to work with the MHV, attending calls and assisting the needy. The team has set up a helpline number — 7848025025.
The MHV works round-the-clock and, on an average, receives 30 calls each day from Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Belagavi. It also collaborates with at least five NGOs that help people by supporting them financially in paying hospital bills, supplying grocery kits, cremating unclaimed bodies of Covid victims and other help related to Covid and black fungus.
Speaking to TNIE, Zahroor Kazi, said, “Our main objective is to help the needy in such tough times. We are working in coordination with district officials. We are also creating awareness on Covid-19.” The MHV has so far helped at least 15 patients in getting oxygen beds and about 10 people in getting ventilators. Also, 10 patients have availed the free tele-consultation services.
“Most people who call us are from urban areas. We want to reach out to those in villages too as they have limited knowledge of the disease. Now, frequency of calls to MHV has reduced owing to a dip in cases,” Kazi added.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Mahesh M Goudar / Express News Service / May 29th, 2021
Health Minister Veena George applauded the efforts of Ajeesh and Noufal in the middle of a raging pandemic, terming them a model for the state’s health department.
At 2:15 am, under the duo’s guidance, Kausalya gave birth to a boy inside the car without any major complications. (Photo Credit: Kerala health department)
An emergency medical technician (EMT) and an ambulance pilot came in for praise from Kerala Health Minister Veena George for their timely intervention in assisting a pregnant woman deliver her child in a car enroute the hospital.
Around 1:55 am on Tuesday, the family of Kausalya (20), a resident of Koviloor in Idukki district, set out for a hospital in a car after she developed intense labour pain. On the way, they requested for an ambulance of the Kanivu 108 network and a vehicle from the Vattavada Family Health centre with EMT BS Ajeesh and pilot Noufal Khan rushed out.
Somewhere near the Pampadum Shola National Park, the ambulance staff met Kausalya and her family. But by then, her condition had turned critical. When Ajeesh examined her, it became clear to him that she could not be transferred to the ambulance before delivering her child. Ajeesh, with the help of Noufal, then proceeded to make arrangements inside the car for childbirth.
At 2:15 am, under the duo’s guidance, Kausalya gave birth to a boy inside the car without any major complications. The mother and newborn were then transferred to the ambulance and ferried to High Range Hospital in Munnar and subsequently a private hospital in Adimali. Both mother and child are reported to be healthy.
Health Minister Veena George applauded the efforts of Ajeesh and Noufal in the middle of a raging pandemic , terming them a model for the state’s health department.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> India>Kerala / by Express Web Desk, Kochi / May 25th, 2021
Milan Rafiq, who runs an old furniture shop in Hiriyur town, is not allowed to park his Maruti Omni in front of his house, and neither do his neighbours visit him.
Milan Rafiq (inset) and the vehicle he uses to ferry bodies of Covid victims
Chitradurga :
Milan Rafiq, who runs an old furniture shop in Hiriyur town, is not allowed to park his Maruti Omni in front of his house, and neither do his neighbours visit him.
For he has converted his Omni into a hearse, and ferries bodies of Covid patients to graveyards and crematoriums. He also completes the last rites, and has cremated and buried more than 200 bodies, of which around 80 were of Covid patients. His aim is to give people a final dignified departure, surprising at a time when friends and families are known to abandon both the living and dead.
“Covid has killed humanity. People are not ready to take care of their near and dear ones, including ailing parents on their deathbeds,” said Rafiq. He saw disowned bodies lying in the mortuary of Hiriyur Taluk Hospital, and it disturbed him so much that he decided to take on the last duties himself, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. He doesn’t charge any money, only accepting whatever is given to him, which he uses for the next burial or cremation.
“Before taking the body, I ask the family to get the grave dug, so we can bury the body and close the grave. On an average, I cremate two bodies every day. On Sunday, I cremated four bodies in Chitradurga and Hiriyur,” Rafiq told The New Indian Express.
His has carried out cremations in Chitradurga, Bengaluru and Kolar districts, ferrying bodies from Bengaluru to Kolar, and Madhugiri in Tumakuru. At a time when ambulances charge exorbitant rates, Rafiq just asks where the body should be ferried and sets out in his Omni. The cost of petrol and repairs is met by his group of friends, standing solidly behind him ever since he took up these humanitarian duties.
“I am also using my fixed deposit, I cannot ask families for money when they are in pain. It would be a sin,” he said.
Rafiq’s wife Shahtaj Begum, son Mohammed Zubair and son-in-law Mohammed Ali support him and even help him with the last rites. They wear masks and PPE kits, and sanitise the Omni after work is done. He cites a recent ordeal where there was no one to give them even a glass of water.
“My son, son-in-law, and I conducted the last rites and drank water only after returning to Hiriyur,” he said. Rafiq freely gives his number — 7259859407 — for anytime, anywhere burials and cremations.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by G Subhash Chandra, Express News Service / May 25th, 2021
The first plant is expected to be up and running in Hyderabad next month,” Prof Amirullah Khan, coordinator of Sahayata Trust informed. — IANS
The NGO is also receiving 400 high quality oxygen concentrators from different charities in the United Kingdom and the United States which is described as the world’s largest donation of oxygen concentrators.
Hyderabad :
Sahayata Trust, a Hyderabad-based NGO, plans to set up four medical oxygen generation plants to cater to the requirements of hospitals treating Covid patients.
Each plant will have a capacity of 4,500 litres per day and will come up at a cost of Rs 1 crore each. Two plants will come up in Hyderabad and one in Gujarat. The NGO is yet to decide on the location for the fourth plant.
“The first plant is expected to be up and running in Hyderabad next month,” Prof Amirullah Khan, coordinator of Sahayata Trust, told IANS on Monday.
The development economist said the NGO would be importing the plants. He said these plants would meet the requirements of various hospitals treating Covid or other critically ill patients.
He pointed out that the NGO is also receiving 400 high quality oxygen concentrators from different charities in the United Kingdom and the United States. He described it as the world’s largest donation of oxygen concentrators.
The devices will be allocated on a per-need basis to different NGOs across Hyderabad, Lucknow, Allahabad, Delhi, Ranchi, Bhopal and other cities. — IANS
The first consignment comprising 170 devices arrived in Hyderabad from the UK by a special flight of Qatar Airways on Friday. The second consignment of 270 concentrators is scheduled to arrive next week.
Sahayata Trust has started distributing concentrators to different healthcare organisations in Telangana and other states. “The relief effort will add oxygen to the efforts of NGOs scrambling to procure oxygen to save as many lives as they can,” said Sahayata Trust CEO Syed Aneesuddin.
The devices will be allocated on a per-need basis to different NGOs across Hyderabad, Lucknow, Allahabad, Delhi, Ranchi, Bhopal and other cities. The organisation included Access Foundation, Safa Baitul Maal and SDIF.
Different NGOS across international borders have joined hands for the noble cause at a time when several lives are being lost across India due to shortage of oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators during the second wave of Covid-19.
Donation of concentrators is a meticulously coordinated relief effort by UK-based charities managed by the Indian diaspora including Maahir Charity, Deccan Medical College Alumni Association, and Medical Aid in coordination with the US-based Indian Muslim Relief & Charities (IMRC), the parent body of Sahayata Trust.
Syed Aneesuddin thanked Hyderabad Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi who played an important role in helping the consignment reach India within a short span of time.
“These are high quality oxygen concentrators with dual outflow of oxygen enabling two patients to use the same machine at a time. We are training people to use the device using the device manuals received from England. This is a daunting task to coordinate the allocation as well as train and equip the personnel to handle the device in a very short time, especially since every passing minute increases danger of loss of life for people struggling to find oxygen support,” said Amirullah Khan.
India needs about one lakh oxygen concentrators. “The government has been able to import only 1000 from the USA, which means there is a deficit of 99%. In such savaging times, the import of 400 units is a small but significant effort in saving more lives”, said former civil servant Prof Amirullah Khan.
He thanked the state and central governments for waiving the import duty on the equipment. He also thanked Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar for taking up the matter on an urgent basis and Commissioner Commercial Taxes Neetu Prasad who went out of the way working late at night to grant ‘real-time approval’. Due to her personal interest in expediting the process, the consignment was ready for pickup within three hours after arrival. — IANS
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India / by IANS / May 24th, 2021
The patient in distress had got a bed at CG Hospital, but there was no oxygen, and the family was asked to source a cylinder.
Davengere, KARNATAKA :
Habeebunissa en route to deliver an oxygen cylinder to the needy | Express
Davangere :
Habeebunissa may be just 19, with limited resources, but has displayed grit and initiative.
As Davanagere locked itself in to stave off the Covid second wave, this young woman ventured out to help the needy.
The international volleyball player has been winning hearts, especially after a video of her carrying an oxygen cylinder on her brother’s bike went viral last week.
The patient in distress had got a bed at CG Hospital, but there was no oxygen, and the family was asked to source a cylinder. She swung into action, collected the cylinder and rushed to hospital. She is glad that the patient survived. She went on to arrange four more cylinders.
The daughter of an autorickshaw driver, Mohammed Jabir, Habeebunissa has been active on many fronts — distributing masks, arranging for oxygen and blood, and even cooking food for stranded nomadic families. She and her mother used the PDS grains that her family gets to cook the meals.
“It is our duty to save humanity from the clutches of the Covid-19. The Youth Congress is funding my initiative to provide cylinders and other social work, with some contribution from my father,” she said.
As vice-president of the Youth Congress Davanagere unit, she has also motivated many girls to take up sports and develop leadership skills.
She is doing her final year ITI (electrical) at Millat College in Davanagere and is an ace volleyball player.
Her father Jabir, who earns Rs 800 per day, and almost nothing since the lockdown kicked in, says he is happy that his daughter is using whatever he gives her to help society.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by G Subhash Chandra, Express News Service / May 22nd, 2021
Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis visited the Dedicated Covid Health Center and commended the people associated with it.
The successful experience has encouraged the organisers to plan a full-fledged hospital after the pandemic is over.
New Delhi :
A Dedicated Covid Health Center being run by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in Maharashtra’s Nagpur city for the last 50 days has treated up to 500 patients, say the organisers of the Centre. The 78-bed Centre or hospital is today a boon not only for the people of the city but the entire Vidarbha region as well as neighbouring Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh as Nagpur shares borders with the two states and serves as regional hub of medical services.
When this hospital was launched on April 1, Maharashtra was reeling under the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. Nagpur was the worst-hit in the state. Every day 8,000 new positive cases were being reported here while the health services had totally collapsed. The hospital came as a big relief as it started offering free service with dedicated staff and volunteers.
The hospital is run from a building owned by the NMC. “The building was lying unused. The NMC wanted to launch a Covid hospital but they were unable to do it. We offered our services, to which they agreed. So it’s a joint venture of the Jamaat as well as NMC. MSF, or Medical Service Society, an NGO run by the Jamaat, is the third partner,” Dr. Anwar Siddiqui told Clarion India over the phone from Nagpur. Siddiqui is in-charge of the hospital and heads the Jamaat-e-Islami in Nagpur.
The hospital was launched on April 1.
The Jamaat is bearing all the cost of running the hospital. The NMC has provided just three doctors. Rest of the 14 doctors and a host of nurses and other staff have been arranged by the Jamaat. According to Siddiqui, four doctors, including himself, are giving free service while the rest of the doctors and workers have been hired.
The hospital has been receiving mostly chronic cases. It’s notable that during the last 50 days just eight patients have died here. Rest of the patients have been discharged after treatment. “Our recovery rate is best among all the Covid centres of NMC. The Commissioner of Nagpur appreciated us saying that even after observing Ramzan fast you people are giving your services so diligently,” Siddiqui said.
The commissioner is not alone in acknowledging the dedication of people running the facility. Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis was among a host of dignitaries who visited the hospital and commended the people associated with it. He said in a tweet, “Today our society needs such people and organisations who understand the pain and grief of people and who try to overcome their problems. We are glad to know that the Jamaat has come forward for this work and is trying to help out during this huge pandemic”.
Other notable dignitaries who have visited the hospital are state’s health minister Rajesh Tope, state unit president of Congress Party Nana Patole, Mayor of NMC Dayashankar Tiwari and local MLA.
The 78-bed Centre or hospital is today a boon not only for the people of the city but the entire Vidarbha region as well as neighbouring Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.
Initiatives like this are a sending positive message about the Muslim community which of late has been at the receiving end given the communally surcharged atmosphere created by vested interests. National media, especially Hindi newspapers and TV channels, have given good coverage to the hospital.
Siddiqui said the hospital has drawn the attention of one and all. “A number of individuals and voluntary organisations run by non-Muslims are coming to us with donations and items like face masks, sanitisers and oxygen cylinders.”
The management committee of Nagpur’s Jama Masjid has declared that the weekly Friday collections at the mosque will be sent to the hospital as long as this facility continues.
The hospital has been launched with three months’ planning. That means it will run until the end of June. Siddiqui said his team is ready to extend it for three more months if need arises. Health experts are warning that a third wave of Covid is imminent. However, right now new cases are coming down. For the last five to six days, the hospital is receiving less number of patients. “For the first 45 days all the 78 beds were fully occupied. Now our occupancy is between 60 and 65,” he said.
While hospitals and clinics elsewhere faced shortage of oxygen cylinders, the Jamaat faced no such crisis. “We had bought 100 cylinders soon after the first wave. We were already refilling and supplying them to needy patients. Therefore, supply of oxygen to our hospital has never been an issue” he said.
The experience of running this temporary facility has made the organisers realize the need to have a regular hospital. “Once the Covid pandemic is over we will start working on a full-fledged hospital. Our community especially needs it direly,” Siddiqui said.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Big Story / by Shaheen Nazar, Clarion India / May 21st, 2021
‘We got so many calls after the attack.’ ‘Loved ones told us forget all this, nothing was more valuable than our lives.’ ‘But we said, ‘No, this wasn’t the way forward — the people, society, the country needs us at this time.’ Dr Trupti Katdare and Dr Zakia Syed tell Archana Masih/Rediff.com their inspiring story.
Dr Trupti Katdare, left, with Dr Zakia Syed. All images: Kind courtesy Dr Zakia Syed and Dr Trupti Katdare
Dr Zakia Syed and Dr Trupti Katdare first met during their induction as young doctors nine years ago. The training for their appointments as doctors in the government-run public health centre in rural Madhya Pradesh lasted for a month, but they ended up with an everlasting friendship.
“We are besties till death,” says Dr Trupti, chief medical officer at the public health centre in Shipra near Indore, as she refers to Dr Zakia, who is in-charge of the primary health centre in Kampel, 40 kms away.
Dr Trupti Katdare and Dr Zakia Syed with other doctors and team members at the Shipra primary health centre.
For the past six weeks, the two doctor friends have been working together at the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 in Indore. They have left their families and moved into a hotel to protect their loved ones from the infection. Dr Trupti is especially concerned about her in-laws who have diabetes and asthma.
When she wanted to wish her husband on his birthday on April 29, they went to her home and wished him from outside.
Dr Zakia last saw her husband and children aged 5 and 9 two weeks ago. She stood outside the gate of her home and had a cup of tea as her son and daughter kept asking her, ‘Mama, when will you come home?’
Dr Zakia Syed with her daughter
Every morning, the two friends accompanied by paramedics and government staff, set out, criss-crossing the lanes and by-lanes of a large area which falls under three police stations. They deal with positive cases, identify contacts, treat symptomatic cases, get samples collected, send high-risk individuals to quarantine centres and positive patients to a treatment facility.
They have identified 160 positive cases so far and screen around 200 people every day.
Last month, an incident they encountered became one of the triggers for a new law that will protect doctors from acts of violence
Dr Zakia Syed and Dr Trupti Katdare.
Doctors Zakia and Trupti were attacked by a mob while talking to the mother of a man who later tested positive. They were told that the man was not home. He was apprehended by the police two days later.
“We asked for his mobile number and said he should not be moving around in the first place,” remembers Dr Trupti.
This was the third consecutive day in that specific locality and they had never encountered any problem before.
The doctors with their team members.
” Suddenly there was a crowd screaming ‘maro maro‘ running towards us. They started throwing stones. The sub divisional magistrate quickly brought the car in front of us to shield us from the stones. I almost fell. Dr Zakia said she will confront and explain to them. I told her the hostile crowd was in no mood to see reason and pulled her into car. As we drove, the mob was running behind us, hurling stones,” remembers Dr Trupti, over the phone at the end of a 10-hour shift.
“It was very scary.”
“We sustained some blunt injuries where the stones struck us. We were shocked. Shaken,” adds Dr Zakia, the first one in her family to become a doctor, fulfilling the dream of her father who worked in the quality control department at the National Textile Corporation before it shut down. At one time, Indore was known for its three big textile mills.
The doctors filed an FIR. Thirteen people were arrested and the National Security Act was invoked against four. The news of the attack was quickly picked up by the media within hours.
Dr Trupti Katdare out in the field.
” Our worried husbands phoned us, we got so many calls. Loved ones told us forget all this, nothing was more valuable than our lives. But we said, ‘No, this wasn’t the way forward — the people, society, the country needs us at this time,” says Dr Zakia, who wakes up at 4 am and has oats or rusk with a cup of tea as a pre-dawn meal during Ramzan.
In the evening, she breaks her fast with Dr Trupti and Dr Piyush, the third doctor in their COVID-19 response team.
They make tea in the electric kettle in the room and sit down together over tea and dry snacks.
“We said we will not surrender and went back to the same gali the next day after the attack. It was our duty, we could not leave those people until we had screened them and provided treatment,” says Dr Trupti, who attributes her commitment for public service to her father’s zeal for social work.
“They apologised and told us ‘Do not leave us. It will never happen again.’ Now the scenario has completely changed, they cooperate fully and willingly come to be screened and quarantined.”
“After the incident, if either of us had said we will not return, we may not have gone back. But we drew strength from each other and were both determined to finish what we had started,” says Dr Trupti and credits the health department heads, the district administration, family and friends for boosting their morale.
They later discovered that the attack was instigated by rumours and negative messages on social media.
Dealing with a new virus that spreads fast, the two main challenges have been to convince people that though extremely contagious, the disease is not as serious as perceived.
“80% don’t have any symptoms,” says Dr Zakia. Since they work in an area with low socio-economic indices, the second challenge is making people follow social distancing and hygiene.
“Since many are uneducated, it takes time to convince them. Also, it is not easy to make people leave their home and go to a quarantine centre for 14 days,” she explains.
The medical team conducts a survey for possible COVID-19 cases.
A few days ago, they had to screen a community of transgenders after one person tested positive. When the panic-stricken community refused to allow them entry, the doctors had to persuade them with tact, patience and kindness.
“We were able to convince them with our words and screened 50+. They were so happy with our services that they clapped, distributed sweets and sent us away with their blessings,” says Dr Zakia, giving a glimpse into the phenomenal work public health officials have been doing around the country during this emergency.
The doctors set out every morning in a car assigned to their team. In the early days, they would go without drinking water for six hours at a stretch because they would be nervous about removing their masks in an area with several positive cases, but not anymore.
“We have been in the field since March 28 and have travelled quite far in this fight against COVID-19. We are deep into it. Now that we have gained some experience, we try to protect ourselves the best we can,” says Dr Trupti.
The team at one of their consulting sessions.
They have established a protocol where they take a water break after four hours which is usually the time it takes to deal with screening, testing, contact tracing and shifting a suspected case to the hospital.
“In the summer, you sweat a lot inside the PPE kit. We try to cover the positive area in one stretch so that we can take the PPE off and eat lunch,” explains Dr Trupti.
“We don’t waste PPE because they are very precious. While screening other contacts, we use double masks, gloves and caps.”
There is no fixed time for lunch which they mostly eat inside the car.
Dr Zakia and Dr Trupti.
Observing roza has caused no problem on the field, says Dr Zakia. Roza strengthens your will power, it detoxifies both your body and soul. I haven’t felt weak and when you have your friend next to you, let me tell you, how can you feel weary?” she says with a ring in her voice that you can almost see her smile across the telephone line.
The doctors have planned a trip to Udaipur once the crisis is behind them.
They will continue their field duties throughout this month and are undaunted by the road ahead.
Dr Trupti in consultation with team members.
“Screening is crucial. It’s good that positive cases are being identified because then you can isolate, treat and prevent it from spreading,” points out Dr Trupti, who misses her primary healh centre and takes great pride that it has a 5-star ranking by UNICEF.
“I hope life returns to normal and I feel it will.”
While they battle on in the trenches, their homes are being held together by their husbands who have learnt how to cook and clean in their absence.
Dr Trupti visits her husband on his birthday on April 29.
“Papa has become both mummy and papa now,” says Dr Zakia.
“My husband keeps encouraging me. With the family by your side you can face any adverse situation,” adds Dr Trupti.
The doctors have 24 quarantine centres in their containment area and have provided their numbers to those under quarantine should they need any assistance.
When a set of people were leaving at the end of 14 days of quarantine, negative reports in hand, their team received a standing ovation.
“It gave us goose-bumps,” says Dr Trupti. “We’ve learnt never to give up. If soldiers can fight for the country, so can we.”
“Some people told us we are soldiers too,” says Dr Zakia, “In white uniforms.”
source: http://www.rediff.com / rediff.com / Home> News / by Archana Masih / May 02nd, 2020
Faiyaz Shaikh, who is in his mid 40s, lost his job in August last year, but that did not stop him from helping the poor families in Ambujwadi slum locality at Malwani in suburban Malad.
Representational Image. (Photo | ANI)
Mumbai :
Crisis brings out the best in people and a man from Mumbai has proved it as he has set up a community kitchen from his own savings for the poor migrant workers suffering due to the COVID-19-induced restrictions.
Faiyaz Shaikh, who is in his mid 40s, lost his job in August last year, but that did not stop him from helping the poor families in Ambujwadi slum locality at Malwani in suburban Malad.
Now, his community kitchen is providing food to around 500 people every day, Shaikh told PTI.
He is also providing them ration and medicines since last year, he said.
Over one lakh migrant workers live in the Ambujwadi locality and their livelihood is dependent on daily wages.
Shaikh said during the lockdown last year, he got help from some NGOs for ration and medicines, but this time, he had to manage things on his own.
“After I lost my job, I got around Rs 10 lakh from my company. I am utilising that money to offer food to the migrants through the community kitchen and also providing them medicines,” he said.
Shaikh said he came up with the idea of a community kitchen after seeing the sufferings of slum dwellers in Malwani.
“The kitchen must continue to feed the children and the needy,” he said.
He said the community kitchen has also helped in providing employment to locals and at the same time, hygiene is also maintained.
Shaikh said his wife has also been running an English medium school in the area since the last 11 years where around 350 students are enrolled.
“The fees of students was waived off for three months last year, and now for the entire year,” he said.
The locality where the school is situated comprises daily wagers and they don’t give priority to the education of their children, he said.
“If the fee waiver was not allowed, there would have been dropouts from school, endangering the future of these children,” he said.
When Cyclone Tauktae brushed past the Mumbai coast last week, strong winds blew away roofs of several houses in the slum colony.
At that time, the Shaikhs provided shelter to these families in the school and made sure they were well-fed.
Asked how he is managing his own livelihood, Shaikh said, “For the last 11 years, I have two families- my own and this slum colony. I can’t differentiate between the two. I will continue to look after both till I can manage.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Mumbai / by PTI / May 25th, 2021
The Aishbagh Eidgah, which is the biggest Eidgah in Lucknow, will now double up as a COVID-19 vaccination centre. This will be the first religious establishment in the state capital which will be providing jabs against COVID-19 to the people. Till now vaccines were being administered only in hospitals in Lucknow. Two inoculation centres — one for ages 18-44 and another for people aged 45 and above — have been set up at the Eidgah.
Beneficiaries of all age groups above 18 years, who have registered on the CoWin portal, will be able to get the jab here. The officials of the All India Islamic Centre will also be assisting people with online registration for getting the vaccine shot. The nodal officer for COVID-19 in Lucknow, Roshan Jacob, reached Aishbagh Eidgah on Thursday to take stock of the preparations. “It is a very good initiative that has been taken by the Islamic Center. This will facilitate the people to get vaccinated,” she said.
Meanwhile, Imam Idgah, Lucknow and Chairman of Islamic Center of India, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli said, “People should keep in mind that along with precaution for prevention of epidemics like COVID-19, the best and most effective thing is vaccination. Lucknow has a lot of population, especially old Lucknow. Keeping in mind the population, two centres have been made at the ground of Eidgah. One center is for people between 18 years to 44 years and one center is for people aged 45 years or more.”
“The huge space here helps in maintaining social distancing and also lowers the risk of transmission of infection. There are a lot of people who are unable to register themselves for vaccination, our team at Islamic Centre of India will help such people in getting themselves registered online for the jab,” he added.
Meanwhile, the fresh cases of COVID-19 infection continue a downward trend in Uttar Pradesh as 6,725 new infections were reported in the last 24 hours. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said 13,590 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours, while there were 11,6434 active cases in the state. Of these, 82,801 were in infected home isolation. The recovery rate in the state has risen to 91.8 percent. The positivity rate in the state has come down to 2.4 per cent, while 238 corona-infected people died in the state. In the last 24 hours, 2,91,156 samples were investigated in the state.
