Pang of bereavement

The beginning of 2021 has jolted Porosh to the core. Within a space of 7 days two of our senior members left for the heavenly abode. Although both of them were keeping unwell for some time yet finally the age related complications got the better of them.

The deterioration of their health was so sudden and rapid that despite the best efforts taken by us not much could be done. What really pained us is the pang of bereavement. It is indeed true that when we serve the members in the absence of their children warm relationships are developed based on trust and faith. Hence, such situations are akin to losing a family member which take time to come in terms with.

The situation of late has been all the more challenging for Porosh because due to travel restrictions daughter and son of none of them, who happen to stay in the US and the UK, could not fly down to Kolkata and have the last glimpse. All that we could do is to show them the mortal remains through Whatsapp video. It was indeed touching to see them crying on the screen further compounded by the fact that none could perform the final rites.

Porosh wishes eternal peace and happiness to the departed souls from the bottom of its heart.

The year that was for Porosh

Like anyone else little did we realize that how 2020 will pan out to be for Porosh. While we were busy carrying-out our usual work pertaining to dementia counselling and providing nurses, physiotherapists & attendants to the members by January-end the news on some infectious virus started to trickle-in. Several conspiracy theories start to float around about what we now know as Wuhan virus (i.e. Covid-19). News about lockdown being imposed in several countries in the West and cancellation of foreign flights to & from India only added to our curiosity but did not yet elicit any fear. How vividly do we remember the funny memes on circulation on the social media. Sadly, we had not yet realized the gravity of the situation as the public perception was that media was creating a hype for increased TRP ratings.

However, it was only when the nation-wide lockdown came to force on March 24th we were in for some real shock. It was an experience for which none were prepared. As far as Porosh was concerned all the regular activities came to a grinding halt overnight. Due to safety concerns the dementia counselling sessions stopped and so did the physiotherapy sessions. Our mobility was restricted and the staff members were confined in their homes. We were taken aback by the sudden turn of event.

Instead of being cowed-down Porosh decided to reach-out to the senior citizens who were in dire straits due to lack of access to medicine and grocery. Over the next two months (April/ May) we catered 53 elderly citizens (all non-members of Porosh) regularly across the length and breadth of the city. The expression of joy and a sense of relief on their faces at the time of receiving medicines and grocery items will remain etched on our minds forever. We owe a lot of thanks to the Kolkata Police and also Pronam who had referred several distressed individuals to Porosh.

With the gradual easing of lockdown once again the regular activities picked-up momentum. Getting to meet our members after a gap of 2/3 months was indeed joyous. There werebad news as well. Condition of a couple of members suffering from dementia deteriorated dramatically in the absence of counselling sessions. One of the members also passed away due to Covid infection.

In the 4th quarter of the calendar year Porosh bounced back with a vengeance, so to say. On Oct 1st a featured article was published on the occasion of “World Elderly Day’ in The Indian Express. This was followed by publication of an interview by a Bengaluru based organization on Porosh. After that we became a registered member of ‘StartUp India’ (a GOI initiative) followed by the launch of new, vibrant and contemporary looking website. Last but not the least on Dec 31st Porosh established its presence in the LinkedIn as well.

Thus, on the whole it was a year full of challenges, ups & downs but we did not lose confidence in our abilities and kept on discharging our responsibilities with grit, determination and passion. The section on VoC (Voice of Customer) in the website (www.poroshkolkata.org) bears testimony to it.

Porosh joins LinkedIn community

Porosh keeps on stretching its limits instead of resting on the past laurels. As a matter of fact, various such instances have already been shared through our earlier blogs. Porosh think-tank has the innate quality of asking – ‘What next?’ Such an attitude is indeed infectious as it rubs on other team members as well. The process of idea-churning is indeed worth going through. Ideas are debated upon and discussed before arriving at a consensus. Action plans follow.

The same principle was at play when the Team decided to join LinkedIn, a site exclusively dedicated to the professionals (& also organizations as well) for the purpose of networking and collaborative work. Porosh is always keen on synergistic efforts. Moreover, it is also the duty of the co-founders not to lose focus on the Mission of Porosh - offering reliable services to the senior citizens within means – despite day-to-day operational challenges.

We realize that Porosh needs to always agile and adaptable to the fast-changing work environment induced by Covid-19. It will be much appreciated if the readers connect Porosh through LinkedIn as well and share their comments/feedback. It will provide us with an opportunity to enrich the Site and work towards achieving our Vision to act as safety net for the senior citizens.