In Covid-19 crisis, organisations, individuals lend helping hand

As mankind fight the unprecedented global catastrophe in recent times, different organisations and individuals in Darjeeling district are doing their bit for the poor and the needy, who have been hit the most by the COVID-19 situation and the lockdown. In the Leese River Tea Estate, we gave the packets to 250 families,” said Ujjal Ghosh, the joint secretary of the association. “Yesterday, we visited Chamak Dangi and Lantang Basti where provided food packets to 200 to 250 families. Tourism minister Gautam Deb, who accompanied the Association members yesterday and handed over the supplies to the people, said, “This is a naturally beautiful place situated in a peaceful environment. Since everybody is facing tremendous inconvenience at present, we are here to distribute some essential items to the villagers under the initiative taken by the Siliguri Hoteliers Welfare Association.” On the other hand, the Darjeeling District Legal Aid Forum (DDLAF) has been rendering help to various categories of people in need, including victims of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) and child-trafficking, senior citizens, daily wage labourers, third-gender communities, and others. Today and tomorrow, we plan to cover four blocks in Matigara, Naxalbari, Khoribari and a few tea garden areas for families of POCSO and traffic victims. Under the joint aegis of Union Bank of India, Siliguri Region and NJP Social Worker Group, masks and food items were distributed among 200 people of Bharat Nagar, New Jalpaiguri area, today. The regional head, Siliguri, requested the common people to follow the guidelines issued by the government, under which they maintain social distance, use masks, do not leave the house without reason, and wash hands regularly,” a bank official said. “All the officers and employees of Union Bank of India, Siliguri region, have contributed financial suuport in distribution of food items,” he said.