COVID WARRIORS
The COVID Warriors of Bengaluru
The amazing work done by a set of volunteers, that included top bureaucrats, professionals, corporate executives and many others in the city of Bengaluru is an inspirational story that needs to be told. CSR Times took the initiative to highlight the tremendous work done by these unsung heroes. “As I wanted to contribute to the society in a small way, I volunteered to be part of the Task Force, after intimating the head of my department,” says Major Pradeep Shoury Arya., I.R.S., SHAURYA CHAKRA, currently Additional Commissioner of Income-Tax, Mumbai. He had come to Bangalore from Mumbai, to attend his fathers’ health issue during which the lockdown was announced.
The concept of Volunteers and their involvement in the relief measures was conceived by Capt Manivanna., I.A.S, Secretary Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Karnataka. Led by Task Force Chairman Ms Malavika Avinash a bunch of teams were created to resolve niche segments of the population and even animals. Some of the Teams consisting entirely by Volunteers are:
The Volunteer Incharge led by Ms Sonali Singh, She-Warriors: Ms Sathya M, Animal Feed and Rescue: Mr Shimadri and Mr Kiran, Drone Team: Mr Hemant Kumar, Doctor on call: Dr Bhaskar Rajkumar, Counselling 24 x 7: Dr Jyothi, Field Counselling: Ms Kalyani, Food Distribution: Capt Radhakrishna, Distribution Logistics: Mr Veeresh Shetty, Caller Verification: Mr Naveen, Supervision: Ms Naziya Sultana, Data Team: Mr Sumukh, MIS Team: Mr Chandan Das, Press: Mr Vijay Grover, Grocery Kits: Shiv Shetty, Migrants Transport: Major Prashant, Backend Support: Ms Sreeja, Creatives: HAM/ Radio, Police Assistance: Others who are part of this Team with support staff are: Civil Defence: Dr Chetan, Home Guards: Rajesh Jayashima. They were also assisted by NSS Volunteers’ and representatives from the Registered/ Recognized Trade Unions, including Elected Representatives.