Banega Swasth India 12-hour #SwasthyaMantra Telethon Special: COVID Warriors

It is in times of unprecedented crisis that heroes are born. And you are our hero.

A global pandemic and the world’s harshest lockdown saw India come together like never before. And it needed your heroism, compassion and heart to deal with a medical and humanitarian crisis that India had never seen before.

We are deeply grateful for your selfless work in the service of India and its people. It came at a great cost for many of the heroes amongst you, and we pay respect to the lives we lost in this battle. Above all, we would like to acknowledge, appreciate and thank everything you have done to keep India safe and healthy.

Jitender Singh Shunty, Founder, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sewa Dal

During the current coronavirus crisis when social distancing norms and misinformation regarding COVID-19 and dead bodies are keeping relatives away from the last rites, of their loved ones, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Seva Dal, has come forward to give the departed a dignified send-off. During this process, Jitender Singh and his family too contracted the virus, but they never stopped. Read More

Giani Ranjit Singh Ji, Head Priest Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

The Sikh community for generations have been working to serve the society. During the pandemic, the gurudwaras opened their doors for people who needed food and shelter.

Dr Nabaneeta Rudra, Senior Technical Advisor- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene at Plan International

Plant pathologist by training and development professional by profession with two decades of experience of working with Government, Corporate and not-for-profit organisations.

 Sahil Talwar, Associate Director, Dainik Jagran

Mr Sahil has been coordinating COVID relief efforts by his organization. in a individual capacity, he has helped over 100,000 migrants by raising funds and providing health hygiene kits to the returning migrant children and women. These kits would include soap, disposable masks, sanitary pads and slippers.

Dr Prashant Saxena, Pulmonology, Max Hospital

Dr. Prashant Saxena is Asociate Director and Head Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine and Associate Director Critical Care at Max smart Superspeciality Hospital, Saket , Delhi . He has undergone Intensive care Fellowship training in Westmead & Liverpool Hospitals, Sydney, Australia. He is an expert in the field of Interventional Pulmonology & Critical Care. He has undergone training in Interventional Pulmonology from Greece, Italy &France.

Due to his special interest in infection control, he has developed simple but effective infection prevention bundle protocols which have significantly reduced hospital acquired infections rates. He has also developed and implemented Antibiotics Stewardship program in the hospital in order to prevent emergence of Antibiotics resistance & decrease preventable hospital associated infections and cost of treatment. He has introduced the concept of Rapid Response Team for patients in order to decrease the numbers of unexpected events in the hospital.

Vikas Khanna, Chef

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michelin-star chef Vikas Khanna has been inspiring others through his philanthropic efforts that include feeding millions of vulnerable people, providing essential items, donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits among others.

Mr. Khanna launched Feed India Campaign in March which has spread across over 100 cities in the country. Under the initiative, he has partnered with the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and set up make-shift kitchens alongside highways and by roadsides. He has also partnered with various companies, philanthropic organisations and individuals to provide for millions of families across the country. The initiative has served over 40 million meals to the poor and needy and will be achieving the 50 million mark in the next few days. Read More

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi

What started with pre-cooked meals distribution in a small household facility has now grown to help the community pan India with support from partners like Donatekart, Nammyohodaan, Phool Versha foundation and many other responsible samaritans. Laxmi has assisted more than 51,000 families till date and extended support not just to the LGBTQ community but also to PLHIV, Sex workers, Senior citizens and the destitute. Educational expenses were also taken care off for 5 girl children whose parents had lost all means of income, rooftops reinforced for citizens living in huts during monsoons and sustainable income source provided to differently-abled artist and community members.

Laxmi’s efforts are still ongoing and she now embarks on another journey – A journey to set a world record for the trans community. She and her team of 25 trans persons would be attempting to climb mount Friendship, which is an advanced peak at 5,290 meters. Transgenders from all walks of life would be joining her in Project Josh. This is an attempt to prove to the world that – “Gender cannot determine how much you can succeed. Gender is, after all, just Gender.” – Laxmi Narayan Tripathi

Watch: Transgenders Fight Hunger Amid Lack Of Work Due To The Lockdown

Dr Ajay Joshi, Index Hospital, Indore

Dr Ajay Joshi Of Indore died of Coronavirus after treating over 700 patients. Indore-based 57-year-old surgeon and senior doctor, Ajay Joshi had been practising medicine for nearly three decades.

A specialist in surgery, he was the Head Of Department of Surgery at Indore’s Medical Superintendent Index Medical College since 2000. When the pandemic hit Indore in April, Index Medical College was converted into a full-fledged COVID-19 hospital. Index Medical College is one of the oldest and most renowned medical college and hospital in Madhya Pradesh. Read More

Bharti Kumari

A 12-year-old girl, whose parents are waste pickers, has been spending nearly two hours daily to stitch masks and distribute it for free among people in her community. So far, Bharti Kumari has made and distributed 120 masks to protect people, including elderly women and children, from Covid-19. Bharti, who attends support classes at NGO Chintan’s informal learning centre for children of waste pickers, aspires to become a social worker. Read More

Mrs. Pramila Ramesh Athote

Due to personal interest and enthusiastic efforts of Mrs. Pramila Ramesh Athote, did significant improvement in the catchment of her anganwadi, which could be evident by visible community participations and improvement status of women and children. During COVID-19 she could support 50 pregnant and lactating women and 30 under five children. She could open the Anganwadi center for spot feeding but she ensured proper distribution of take home ration and hot cooked meal for the vulnerable pregnant and lactating women. She also ensured regular growth monitoring, immunization, regular ANC check-ups and counselling service at her village.