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“We were in the same storm. Not in the same boat.”
This simple line truly captures the different ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of each individual differently. While some were worried about contracting the virus, there were others who lost their jobs, livelihood and were struggling to make ends meet. But it is such times of adversity that inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things and emerge as heroes.
ChaitalyNandy – a Physical Education Teacher at Sacred Heart Sr. Sec. School, Chandigarh, went above and beyond her line of duty as an educator to support marginalized sections of the society during the lockdown period and in the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a series of initiatives, Ms. Nandy created a sense of community, support, and hope for underprivileged sections of society and addressed their needs and concerns during the worst of times.
Mask and Ration Distribution
While masks have been deemed as the first line of defense against COVID-19, not everyone can afford them. Ms. Nandy found that many people belonging to marginalized sections were aware of the importance of wearing masks but they lacked the means to buy or own one. To help protect common people including street vendors, labourers, auto drivers, delivery agents, and other workers that frequent her locality, she started holding Mask distribution drives. So far, over 2000 masks have been distributed to common and needy people by her.
PoshanMaah
As the pandemic stretched on, it also hurt the finances and economic situation of underprivileged sections of the society. The extended lockdowns and COVID-19 precautionary measures put several out of jobs and livelihood options, with many even being able to make ends meet. In such testing times, Ms. Chaitaly contributed money generously and distributed free rations, food packages, and items among the residents of Dhanas Milk village.
In addition to this, she along with the NSS volunteers from Sacred Heart Sr. Sec. School regularly organized Mobile Bhandara for the needy and starving. Her efforts of kindness have helped hundreds and also spread a cheer of positivity among people as well as her students in gloomy times of the pandemic.
Busting Fake News and Myths around COVID-19
COVID-19 also saw the rise of another information pandemic in which fake news, information, rumours, and speculations become common. In fact, with little or no information available about the disease and virus, people were being bombarded with half-truths which made it difficult to differentiate truth from hoaxes. But, most of this fake news was to do with people’s health and lives and therefore couldn’t be ignored.
With this aim, Ms. Chaitaly with her team of volunteers visited slums and nearby villages after the lockdown to educate the people about the Covid19 virus and dispel any myths around it. The team conducted several workshops for common people, helping them understand how to identify fake news and stop misinformation on social media platforms. It may seem like a small initiative, but it motivated people to come forth and follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and guidelines to keep themselves safe during the pandemic.
Awareness Drive for Social Distancing and COVID-19 Vaccination
The Covid-19 pandemic, made mankind realize that health is everything in life. As our government strives to get its citizens vaccinated against the deadly virus, so did Ms. Chaitaly. She guided and inspired her students to spread awareness about COVID-19 guidelines, social distancing, COVID appropriate behaviour, and vaccination through poems, posters, slogans and made the people aware of the need to get themselves vaccinated. They encouraged them to come forward for the vaccination and get protected against the COVID-19 virus.
COVID-19 Awareness Movie 1 – Click Here to Watch
COVID-19 Awareness Movie 2 – Click Here to Watch
COVID-19 Awareness Movie 3 – Click Here to Watch
COVID-19 Awareness Movie 4 – Click Here to Watch
Fund-raiser for Migrant Laborers
During the 1st Phase of COVID-19 lockdown, thousands of migrant labourers were forced to walk back to their hometowns in the absence of any means of transportation. Thousands of migrant labourers who were traveling on foot to their homes didn’t have enough money, food, or even in a few cases footwear to protect themselves.
In such desperate times, Ms. Chaitaly along with her team decided to contribute to their safety. Teachers and students from Sacred Heart Sr. Sec. School, Chandigarh raised funds to provide food, essential items, and safety kits for Slum dwellers, workers, and daily wage earners. Inspired by her work, some volunteers also came forward to support the marginalized sections of the society financially during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Online Physical Fitness Sessions
Ms. Chaitaly made sure that students, staff members, and even the supporting staff were in the pink of health amidst the pandemic. Although education had moved on to virtual classrooms, she is a Physical Education Teacher who chose YouTube as a platform to keep students and teachers physically fit. Every morning, she held physical education classes for students to spread cheer and positivity, in which teachers also participated enthusiastically. She also organized Surya Namaskar sessions for the staff members as well as for the supporting staff.
Dr. Chaitaly Nandy is a finalist for Best Initiative (For Grassroots Service) Because…through a series of initiatives, Ms. Nandy created a sense of community, support, and hope for underprivileged sections of the society and addressed their needs and concerns during the worst of the times.
To Reach the Information Dossier Shared by Dr. Chaitaly Nandy Click Here.