Maharashtra woman provides free meals to COVID-19 patients & kin
What's the story
Amid the surge in coronavirus cases, a woman from Maharashtra's Osmanabad village is trying to provide some relief to COVID-19 patients and their relatives by delivering home-cooked meals to them free of cost. Manisha Balaji Waghmare travels about 32 km daily from Kasbe Tadwale village and back on her scooter to deliver around 100 packets of food to patients at Osmanabad district civil hospital.
Information
Waghmare was preparing for the MPSC examination in Pune
The food is prepared by her family and delivered to the patients. Waghmare was preparing for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination in Pune, but in the wake of the present coronavirus-induced restrictions across the state, she has temporarily returned to her native place.
Support
Patients and kin need good food: Waghmare
Waghmare, who is in her early 20s, said since COVID-19 patients and their family members staying at the hospital are unable to prepare food for themselves, she and her parents took it upon themselves to provide them home-cooked food free of cost. "At this time of crisis, the patients and their relatives need good food, as well as mental and moral support," said Waghmare.
Inspiration
Her grandfather's illness inspired her to take up the cause
Waghmare has been delivering the food packets at the hospital since the last 8-10 days. Asked what inspired her to take up this noble cause, Waghmare said once when her grandfather was ill and admitted in a hospital in Osmanabad, he could not get food there. "Even we were unable to provide him food," she said.
Patients
Patients come to the district civil hospital from far-off places
"That incident inspired me and my family to do something for those in need," she said. "During the ongoing pandemic, patients and their relatives come to the Osmanabad district civil hospital from far-off places," she noted. "They cannot look after themselves or prepare food. Hence, me and my parents decided to provide food to the poor and needy people at the hospital," she said.
Appeal
Time to come together and help those in need: Waghmare
Waghmare also appealed to the people to come forward and help those in need. "This health crisis and the restrictions due to it have affected people mentally, physically, economically, and socially. The poor and daily wagers are suffering the most," she said. "Now is the time for us to come together and help each other," she added.