The Indian government ordered a nationwide lockdown since 24th March 2020.
The poor were suffering due to starvation and unemployment.
NGOs across the country have been working towards extending their support.
Their aim is to contain COVID-19.
The cyclone Amphan landed in West Bengal on 20th May 2020, in places such as
Kolkata, Hooghly cities and Howrah. Many trees were uprooted and poor people were distressed.
The cyclone also affected Digha, New Digha, Midnapore,
North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas.
ITST which stands for Inclusive Talents Society Trust, is a non-profit organization.
Their objective is to bring the disabled and non-disabled people together
to show their skills & talents and spread awareness in the society.
It was founded on 24th April 2019.
Their aim is to provide an inclusive space for the disabled and non-disabled to showcase their talents.
They host different events like
cricket tournaments, fashion shows, football tournaments.
They include both the disabled and non-disabled to showcase their skills & talents.
Alka Nanda Joshi - sign name - is the Principal Trustee of ITST,
and her husband is Deaf. His name is Suvrojyoti Sur - sign name - and he is a Supporter.
The advisory director Sanchari Sur - sign name - and is his sister.
They planned to help those suffering due to the lockdown and the destruction caused by cyclone Amphan.
Since ITST is a non-profit organization, the trust had to take help from personal and social contacts.
Suvrojyoti is a national level cricketer, he contacted many of his deaf cricket teammates
and also players in different sports like football, table tennis, athletics, etc for funds.
ITST was able to raise Rs 25,000/-
Have a look at the various sports persons who contributed.
In collaboration with Kolkata Police, ITST secured permission
to organise the Kolkata relief distribution drive on 24th and 26th May 2020.
Its aim was to distribute the food and different items to needy people and persons with disabilities.
ITST Volunteers purchased 100kg Rice, 100kg Salt, 100kg Sugar, 100 bottles of 200ML cooking oil,
120 Horlicks Biscuit packs, 120 Good Day Biscuit packs, 120 Horlicks milk powders,
120 detergent powder, 120 sanitary napkins.
They even purchased 120 hair coconut oil bottles.
ITST did not place an order for face masks.
There was a old Deaf man named Manik Dutta - sign name -
who stitched face masks on his own.
ITST wanted to support him and help him earn his livelihood with dignity and not buy it for free.
They paid him for the masks to help him earn a living.
On 24th May 2020, ITST volunteer teams distributed the food.
The team consisted of Deaf and hearing people, who distributed food in 4 areas.
They distributed food to 80 families, people with disabilities, hearing individuals and children.
In the Dhakuria bridge area, there was a lot of destruction and many trees were uprooted.
But poor and needy people along with small children crawled under the tree to take the packages that were being distributed.
Volunteers worked from 8 am to 4 pm in the evening.
On 26th May 2020, ITST team distributed food to 42 children.
These children used to beg for food.
ITST distributed food to these children.
The team distributed the food and different items to a total of 122 people.
Suvrojyoti is very passionate about feeding dogs.
This is because he is an animal lover.
Due to the lockdown and cyclone many animals are afraid and alone.
This is why he feeds them every day in his locality.
On 27th May, Alka with Sasmita Barik and Debi Prasad Subudhi senior members of ITST,
mobilized volunteers in Bhubaneshwar to organise a food donation drive
at two branches of an old age home having 50 senior citizens.
They helped senior citizens who live in institutions without their family.
The food packages contained
Horlicks, lifebuoy soap, hair oil, toothpaste, biscuits, toffees, surf excel, and mask.
Masks have been hand-stitched by Sasmita.
PM Modi's speeches and the government's live announcement on Facebook
are not accessible, due to which the Deaf community fails to understand.
Alka Nanda has been interpreting through ITST, so that Deaf people can understand and benefit.
They also shared interpreted videos on how to maintain mental health during the lockdown.
ITST had planned the 1st Bengal Inclusive Cricket League
in collaboration with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
It contains 4 teams, each team containing 7 deaf cricket players and 4 hearing cricket players to play matches.
However due to the COVID-19 lockdown,
The tournament has been postponed and will be held in November or December.
We applaud ITST’s innitiative to help the disabled and non-disabled alike
and their efforts to distribute food during the lockdown.