Compassion in the time of corona

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Airline crew and doctors being asked to leave their homes. ‘Corona’ being hurled as a slur at people from the Northeast of India. Travellers returning from an overseas trip on quarantine being ostracized by neighbours. The corona virus may be travelling quickly in India, but what is spreading quicker is xenophobia and animosity, fear and panic bringing out our uncharitable side. Anxiety is natural in a situation over which we have little control. This pandemic may be bringing out the worst in some, but it is also bringing out the best in many. Various instances of kindness and compassion are illustrating how generosity and community spirit is providing some much-needed light during this difficult time.

Simple ideas have sparked citizen   driven initiatives that have gained considerable momentum during the lockdown. Mahita Nagaraj, a digital marketing professional in Bangalore, put up a social media post recently to let friends know that she could help if anyone’s parents needed assistance in the city. She received several responses from friends who echoed her desire to help and on the day of the Janta Curfew, she launched Caremongers India, a group to ‘help people, help people’. “This is much larger than you and me” says Mahita. “At a time like this it has to be about community and however much we can do to help.” In less than a week rapid support has grown to over 7000 followers on Facebook, with a large network of volunteers in various cities facilitating requests. “We’ve received requests as varied as an urgent delivery for batteries for a hearing-impaired person who lives alone, dependent on his hearing aid; to supplies for a British couple who are stranded here as tourists.” says Srobana Das, one of the core volunteers.  The initiative has received rapid support and has even attracted delivery partners like Dunzo to help the group expand their reach.

Another initiative was an idea born over video chat, once again on the day of the Janta curfew. Entrepreneurs and friends, Shaaz Mehmood, Tanya Reddy and Deepti Kat, were discussing the problems the economically disadvantaged would face on a prolonged lockdown. Pulling together their network of friends, they launched YouthFeed India to invite donations towards care packages for daily wage workers, migrant labourers and single mothers that would include basic food, medical and sanitation supplies to provide for a family of four for a week at a donation of Rs 500 per package. With wholesale vendors to provide supplies and NGO partners, led by the Safa Society in Hyderabad, who facilitate the distribution of the packages through their volunteers, the initiative attracted enough support to feed 5000 families in the first phase. “We hope to feed and support as many people as we can during this lockdown.” says Shweta Keerthi Sethia, the Delhi chapter head, as the group prepares for the next phase of distribution.   

Courtesy Reneebigelow at Pixabay

Taking care of their own is evident in several residential communities as younger residents rally together to support elderly neighbours. The advisory for those over 60 years of age to not venture out at all, has prompted resident volunteers to assist seniors with grocery and medical runs or to help order supplies for those who are unfamiliar with online shopping. Anupama Srinivasan, a resident at Parsvnath Exotica in Gurgaon, describes how the community management and residents have organized assistance, particularly for the senior exclusive households. “We have volunteer groups for each tower who coordinate and facilitate requests and have organized specific days for different tasks like buying vegetables, medical supplies or groceries and calling to check on any help they may need.” Reacting in a social media post to the efforts of the younger volunteers, Chandan Singh, a resident here, said “In this time of need I take my hat off and bow to the youngsters here who have come together to help the elderly. Their coordination is remarkable.” In Mandakini Enclave in Delhi, the Resident Welfare Association has organized volunteers to check in for any assistance, from a distance or over the phone, on senior households. Jayeeta Maitra, a resident, describes it as a meaningful connection during this uncertain time. “Just the smile on their faces to see us asking about their wellbeing says it all.” Though there is physical distancing, this support has helped to bring people together. "At a time like this we've seen petty fights and quarrels melt away as we come together to support each other." observes Anupama.

Image from James Chan at Pixabay

Little acts of individual kindness has helped amid these panicked times. When a non-Indian couple in Bangalore staying for a few days at an apartment complex were treated with hostility by some residents, one of the neighbours came to the couple’s defense. “The couple had been in India for several months and were only visiting from Goa but the objecting residents didn’t believe them. They called me for help.” says Reji Mathew, a resident at the same apartment complex. He reasoned with those objecting, the situation finally calming when he suggested the couple provide a copy of their passports showing that the entry immigration stamp was from a few months ago. Other accounts of acts of kindness are poignant in their simplicity. Mumbai based Vinitha R., concerned for her 81-year-old mother who lives alone in Ernakulam, was touched when her friend, Ashima, called the parents of friends in and around Kochi to check if they needed anything. “She called my mother. That one call buoyed her. When I called, she was back to her old resilient self. This big-small act of thoughtfulness has made me feel like doing the same.” she wrote in an online post of gratitude.

Being overwhelmed at a time like this is understandable. We may know little about the coronavirus right now and how to control it, but what we do have control over is how we react to the situation. As these varied examples of compassion and kindness illustrate, we will only be able to get by with a little help from our friends.