City samaritans use social media to help those in need

While most people may be using social media to stay connected with their friends and family under the lockdown, for some Doonites, the platforms are coming in handy to help those in need during these difficult times. Samaritans are using WhatsApp and Facebook to connect with people from different parts of the city to distribute essential commodities to them.

According to city businessman Sudesh Aggarwal, WhatsApp group has brought together people from different walks of life on a single platform.“I started with a group named ‘Charity for Human Cause’ on WhatsApp which comprises of around 80 members including shopkeepers, servicemen armymen and friends and relatives from Dehradun as well as from other cities. We have been distributing uncooked food and other necessary items to the needy and to those who do not have ration card,” he says.
Lashkar Dev, Project Head of a similar group ‘Ease Food Friends’, says, “Through our WhatsApp group which currently has around 40 members, we aim to gather different individuals, groups, societies, NGOs from within city as well as outside and provide a platform to synchronize food distribution in all parts of the city”. He adds, “We are also equipped to receive calls from the ‘104’ medical helpline service of the government, red cross society as well as disaster management department”.

Ravi Kant Sharma, the founder of ‘Sahyog Kendra’, says, “Ours is a small group of approximately 20 members on WhatsApp and we are constantly aiming in adding as much from different parts of the city. Our Facebook group helps us in spreading the word among those who want to assist us”.

The group leaders also ensure they carry out a background check on information received. “Before distribution, it is my duty to verify the authenticity of any information received over WhatsApp or from any other source,” elaborates Sudesh.
Lashkar adds, “Our team only comes into action once we have carried out a background check on the information received”.

Vinay Rawat, a businessman from Rishikesh, says, “While we have been doing our bit to help the needy on an individual level at Laxman Jhula which is nearby, recently we took the help of two Facebook groups: ‘Rishikesh Community’ and ‘Rishikesh Yogis Community’, to reach out to the needy in different areas of Rishikesh. Through this, we are regularly updated of places where people are in need of essential items”.
Jai Sharma, the founder of another group ‘Just Open Yourself’, says, “Through our WhatsApp group, we are in constant touch with all the NGOs, societies and groups of Dehradun. Since everyone is present on one group, we are constantly updated about places where assistance is lacking”.
Social media is also helping people reach out to stray animals. Avantika Chaudhary, a café owner who feeds strays, says, “Thanks to a group on Facebook called ‘Save The Stray During Lockdown’, many Doonites have come together to help feed strays all over the town. For instance, if someone is unable to feed a stray in their area, they can post it on the group and many turn up to do the needful”.
Taresh.Dutta@timesgroup.com