MP Farmer Donates Oxygen: Other Stories Of Citizens Coming Together In COVID-19 Crisis

Farmer donates money for oxygen: As several cities across India struggle to breathe for life, prompted by oxygen shortage in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, common citizens are rising up to try and fill the gaps in healthcare infrastructure.

One such person is Champalal Gurjar, a farmer in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh. He has reportedly donated two lakh rupees - an amount he was saving for his daughter's marriage - to authorities for buying oxygen cylinders. One cylinder has been bought for the district hospital and another for the township Gurjar resides in, as per The Tribune. 

Though not in a ceremony as grand as he had initially planned, his daughter Anita got married on Sunday.

Simultaneous with public anger and despair around administrations not having done enough in a timely fashion to make accessible all resources ahead of the second COVID-19 wave, there is also a section of people working to connect patients to resources. Read about some here. 

Farmer Donates Money For Oxygen And How Other People Are Contributing

"To make my daughter’s marriage memorable I donated two lakh to the district administration... Right now, there is a dire need for medical oxygen given the surge in COVID-19 cases," Gurjar was quoted saying.

As of April 27, 8:00 AM, government data recorded a rise of 12686 daily cases in Madhya Pradesh.

While some collectives organise 'oxygen langar' outside hospitals, others are trying to consistently put out leads for oxygen cylinders and refills online. One Shahnawaz Shaikh, now being dubbed the 'oxygen man of Mumbai,' sold his Rs 22 lakh vehicle to provide free oxygen to those in need around the city.

Meanwhile, women like Anne Morris in Bengaluru are lending a hand at graveyards, helping families bury their departed kin with dignity and respect. Food dabbas, tiffin service, free home delivery, low-cost therapy, assignment completion - internet residents too have come together to chip in in extraordinary ways. Here is what it is making possible.