The ones worst affected by the lockdown were migrant labourers and daily wage earners. For them, work is a daily necessity to take care of their basic needs.

So two days into the lockdown, ProNamo was on the ground reaching out to migrant labourers/daily wage earners without PDS cards.

We regularly received requests for daily essentials through Twitter and WhatsApp and our volunteers at multiple locations across the city reached out to the needy.

We distributed grocery packages with rice, dal, oil and basic necessities.

The funds for these Covid-19 grocery distributions came from within the group since most of us are working professionals.

We generated over Rs 2 lakh this way and 50 of our on-ground volunteers reached out to more than 15,000 daily wage earners across 20-25 locations in Hyderabad.

To carry out distribution of essentials safely without being penalised for breaking the lockdown rules, we integrated the local police officers and civic officials during our distribution.

Apart from providing aid in the form of essentials, we educated the migrants and the poor on importance of basic hygiene, social distancing and usage of masks to fight this pandemic.

Our volunteers have been actively distributing masks, sanitisers and gloves to all the front line GHMC workers, Police personnel, Gas agency and other essential service workers.

Apart from localised distribution, we handed over 10,000 masks to Sri Bandi Sanjay, State President and MP Telangana BJP.

Awareness Programmes

ProNamo organized COVID-19 awareness FB Live programmes that reached over 12,000 people.

In the last fortnight, we have done FB live interactions with a reputed Pulmonologist from AIG, Neonatal specialists from Fernandez hospitals, Pediatrician from Rainbow hospitals, to address concerns regarding COVID-19.

Volunteer Safety

While helping the needy, we have ensured adequate safety for our volunteers. Social distancing was maintained at all times. Constant hand sanitization and use of masks enabled the volunteers to keep themselves shielded.

The Road Ahead

We at ProNamo believe in the ideals of Seva (Service), Dharma (Righteous living) and Rashtra Prem (Patriotism). Our future activities will be based around these themes.

Our PM has ensured utmost transparency and stopped corruption in Social welfare schemes. Building awareness will make sure those in need avail themselves of it. We want to make every underprivileged citizen aware of the Central Government schemes so that he can benefit from them to enhance his living conditions.

ProNamo is currently operational in Hyderabad and Kamareddy districts of Telangana. We wish to spread our volunteer base across all the districts in the state. We eventually want to spread out to other cities and metros with the idea of service to the nation.

Sheetal Mansabdar

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