2 Radha Soami sites turned into Covid care centres

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 12

The Radha Soami sect here has converted their sites on Chandigarh Road and Hambran Road into Covid care centres. The 120-bed centre has become operational.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, zonal secretary Gurminder Singh said the wards, in cooperation with the district administration, were ready by Wednesday evening.

“The Deputy Commissioner is monitoring everything. Doctors and oxygen cylinders will be provided by the administration. The electricity and bed expenses will be borne by the sect,” Gurinder Singh said.

The areas converted into care centres were “satsang ghars” and since religious gatherings have been prohibited to curb the spread of the virus, the sect decided to convert the halls into Covid care centres. Food for patients will also be prepared on the premises.

To ease the burden on the health infrastructure, many religious institutions have come forward to provide medical and non-medical help to patients.

Another case is that of ISKON Sri Jagannath Temple at Janpath Estate. The temple is providing approximately 500 thalis of food on a daily basis in different areas in the city.

Ajay Singhania, vice president of the local unit, said fresh food was daily prepared and delivered to Covid patients and their families in the city. The orders are taken through the website www.iskonludhiana.in.

He said we also receive information through stories put up by residents on their social media handles. We provide food to all those patients and families who cannot cook meals at their homes owing to the pandemic.

Ranjit Kaur, a resident of Randhir Singh Nagar, said we had to support each other in these difficult times. “Social media has played an indispensable part in procuring essentials for Covid patients,” she added.