BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha mobilized critical and essential COVID-19 relief aid throughout North India through its regional headquarters at Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi and extensive regional network of mandirs and centres.
An unrelenting surge in infections and deaths from the coronavirus pandemic has plagued India, with its hospitals coming under extreme pressure from shortages of oxygen and critical care beds all over North India. With large numbers of critical cases in a much shorter period of time, an overwhelmed national health service has caused shortage of medicines, hospital beds, essential oxygen supplies, oxygen cylinders, doctors and medical staff and medical equipment that has also led to a dire rise in number of deaths.
Under the guidance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi has been helping and supporting patients and families affected by COVID-19 in New Delhi, NCR, Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh in a number of ways.
Sourcing & Delivering Oxygen Concentrators
Combating the major problem facing many hospitals, COVID-19 Centres and patients with short supply of oxygen, oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders and essential medical support. Swaminarayan Akshardham, with the support of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi and well-wishers from Taiwan, were able to provide much-needed help. Over 220 oxygen concentrators have been distributed free by Swaminarayan Akshardham to hospitals, nursing homes, COVID-19 centres, old age homes, charitable trusts, institutions, organizations and societies.
Distribution as of May 2021
|
NO |
STATE |
LOCATION
|
|
1 |
NCR |
New Delhi, Gurgaon
|
|
2 |
Chandigarh |
Chandigarh, Panchkula
|
|
3
|
Haryana |
Kurukshetra, Karnal, Sonipat, Ambala Cantt, Ambala City
|
|
4
|
Himachal Pradesh |
Shimla, Dharmshala
|
|
5
|
Punjab |
Jalandhar
|
|
6
|
Rajasthan |
Jaipur, Jodhpur
|
|
7 |
Uttarakhand |
Rishikesh, Haridwar
|
Distributing COVID-19 Protection Material
To aid the continuous fight against the pandemic and to promote proactive prevention, essential protection materials were freely distributed.
Masks
To remind and encourage people to continue using masks, over 5,000 face masks have been distributed free to families.
Oximeters
With a rise in respiratory complications, over 500 oximeters have been distributed free to continuously help monitor pulse and oxygen levels.
Face Shields
Helping frontline warriors with essential equipment, over 650 face shields have been distributed free.
Hand Sanitizers
Over 10,000 litres of liquid hand sanitizer has been distributed free to frontline warriors and people dealing with public affairs.
Conducting COVID-19 Vaccination Drive
In collaboration with both the state government and private hospitals, Swaminarayan Akshardham organized a number of COVID-19 vaccination drives in New Delhi that has administrated over 2000 vaccines free till date.
Providing Essential Medicines to the Infected
COVID-19 patients who are unable to obtain prescribed medicines due to a number of reasons have been immediately helped with medicines provided free of costs.
Facilitating Oxygen Cylinders to Needy
COVID-19 patients unable to obtain required oxygen support were helped by Swaminarayan Akshardham with either oxygen or oxygen cylinders.
Home Delivery of Hot Meals
During the second COVID-19 wave in India, entire families have been affected by the virus. With every family member ill, freshly cooked meals have been a problem for many. Swaminarayan Akshardham has provided freshly cooked and nourishing meals to many families. Prepared in the mandir kitchens, packed cooked food is delivered twice a day to these families. Till date, over 10,000 meals have been distributed.
Volunteer Doctors Providing Free Consultations
Over 65 BAPS volunteer doctors and medical personnel have provided free consultations, guidance and proper medical attention to poor and needy patients in person or via videocalls.
Advocating Prevention Awareness
Through weekly online assemblies, group meetings and personal phones calls and messages, prevention awareness is advocated constantly by reminding and inspiring people of all ages to practice COVID-19 safety precautions.
Continuous Counselling & Psychological Support
Through numerous initiatives, BAPS sadhus and volunteers continuously provide counselling and psychological support.
Personal Phone Calls
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has caused an increase of fear and stress in children, youth and adults. To help Individuals and families cope with this isolation and also to further help, guide and check on their well-being, BAPS sadhus have been regularly phoning people and providing much needed solace, support, counselling, motivation, help and guidance. Till date, the sadhus have spent over 1.4 million minutes over the phone, talking to thousands of people across North India, giving vital and invaluable benefits to all.
Online Last Rites & Tribute Meetings
Sadly, the pandemic has taken the lives of many loved ones. During these difficult times, when performing the last rites of the deceased has been a major problem; BAPS sadhus have supported bereaved families by performing online final rites and services.
Furthermore, the sadhus and devotees have also attended online prayer and tribute assemblies to provide support and moral strength for all.
Online Mahapuja Prayers
A special online Vedic Mahapuja was organized echoing the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the whole world is one family) in which prayers were offered for the well-being and betterment of all people, regardless of religion, nationality, race, or beliefs, and for an end to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Appreciation Prayers
Special prayers were also offered to appreciate and pray for the well-being of all the people in public services who are selflessly serving at the frontline.
Daily Prayers
The sadhus and devotees offer daily prayers for the quick recovery of those effected by the virus, for the protection of all frontline warriors and a quick end to the pandemic.
Online Satsang
Swaminarayan Akshardham and BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha have cancelled all public assemblies and gatherings. Instead, regular online Satsang for people all ages has been arranged. BAPS sadhus and devotees provided guidance on practical living amid these difficult times of the pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of people have benefitted in all states of North India, including New Delhi & NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Till date, over 1,400 hours of satsang has been presented via online assemblies and group gatherings for all age groups wherein regular awareness, guidance and reminders for COVID-19 preventions and hygiene practices are also encouraged and explained to all.
Mobilized Volunteer Force of BAPS Sadhus & Volunteers
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has mobilized an active volunteer force of 32 sadhus and 1,000 volunteers in North India to serve and provide relief to hundreds and thousands in need.