Where to find help in CORONAVIRUS lockdown in Kolkata

Let us understand something very very clearly. Coronavirus outbreak is a real threat and there’s no confusion about it. From the media, we all have come to know about the virus and how it can spread. So, I won’t spend much time talking about it. We agree or do not agree, both the Central and State Governments are doing a commendable job in fighting the menace. Lockdown has been proved quite effective, provided we ourselves go by the rules. But I am seeing something lovely in all this negativity. Humanity is fighting the menace with a united force and my city Kolkata is no exception. So, I’ll try to collate the help points in Kolkata for CORONA lockdown. This listing is being done, apart from the state and central corona relief funds. Please note, this post will be updated on a regular basis.

For those who would like to read about the Coronavirus outbreak, please check it from the WHO website here

NRAI effort

NRAI stands for the National Restaurant Authority of India. And its East India chapter here, in Kolkata, is doing a fantastic job for providing help in Corona for the non-so-privileged class. It is being spearheaded by Asif Ahmed (the partner at Sanjha Chulha) and his team. I may not know each member personally and hence not able to thank them, but they’re doing a fantastic job out there. In association with Kolkata Police and Vivada Cruise, cloud kitchens are set up and food is being distributed to more than 3000 people out there, who need it. If you need to help them, please check the picture below and do your contribution.

Even during these turbulent times of Corona lockdown, they are taking care of feeding the street dogs. This is something my city has rarely witnessed before.

• Name: NRAI
• ICICI Bank
• A/C No: 002901064060
• IFSC: ICIC0000029

Wow Momo Chapter

Wow momo is spearheaded by Sagar Daryani and Binod Kr Homagai. due to their huge operational volume, wow momo has a huge workforce and quite a few manpower. Now, the real problem during the Corona outbreak is, many elders are stuck inside the home and are lacking the support for medicines and other necessary amenities.

Anti hunger squad / Balaram Mullik & Sons

Anti Hunger Squad headed by Zeeshan Majeed and Balaram Mullik, headed by Sudip Mullik, are also trying in their own capacity. They’re organizing regular camps for help in Corona lockdown to provide food for the lesser privileged human.  Maybe, we can have a round of applause for them as well.

Self-help group

Debayan Dutta, a few days back, had put up a post for a self-help WhatsApp group. This group will send necessary supplies to the lone elders in the city for help in Corona. My friends, Luna Chatterjee, Debayan Datta , Sudarshana Ghosh , Zeeshan Majeed , Biswadeb Mukherjee , Lopamudra Mandal Lops , Turni Dhar , Debjani Mookherjee , Asif Ahmed , Chirag , Anusreea Paul Mukherjee, is also helping the initiative and it has gathered quite a sizable mass. If you want to get in touch with them, please get yourself registered at this link here.

 

New town forum

There is a Facebook-based group by the name New Town Form and News. During regular times, they act as the POC for Net Town residents. But during this period, for providing help in corona lockdown, they’re regularly providing support and camps across the vast area of New Town. The group is spearheaded by Samaresh Das.

#FEED 9647627616 does a fabulous job of running community kitchens across Bengal and other parts of Bengal and is managed by Chandrasekhar Kundu. Let’s have a round of applause for them, as well …

These are the few forums that I’ve come across on social media and I thought of collating the list. Definitely this listing will be updated in due time. so, if you come across anything or anyone providing support, please let me know so that they can be acknowledged here. 

And finally, a message from team Foodka …

And finally, home food ingredients during the Corona lockdown

Well,  to be honest,  there are no food items, which can slow down or stop the Coronavirus. And if someone tells you something like that, well ….. Ahem. But definitely there are certain food items, which come in handy to prevent a viral infection. And if in a broader sense, we take corona as a deadly virus, this list may come in handy. Garlic, Star Anise, Cinnamon, Yogurt and herbs are known to be among them. 

Please understand something. These food items will basically boost your immune system and help you fight the virus from inside. But, please exercise the basic precautionary measures being circulated and most importantly, DO NOT PANIC. This is a disease and will pass, provided we do our duty. Stay safe and do not spread rumors. Please check the article on my weekly column in Millennium Post paper here. 

Being a blogger and an IT entrepreneur, I thought of penning down this article. Please let me know for any other inputs and let me update this article. This is a joint fight and we’ll win it together. 

Bon apetit !!!

I can be reached at indrajit.lahiri@ymail.com