Post lockdown several videos of high-handed behavior of men in uniform (from different parts of the country) disciplining errant individuals became viral courtesy various Whatsapp groups. Naturally, we were a bit apprehensive meeting similar fate in course of delivering essential commodities to the senior citizens who made distress calls to us.
During the initial days when we were criss-crossing the city from Mahamayatala to Maheshtala and Naktala to Park Circus the very site of a police personnel manning an otherwise busy street junction made our hearts skip. However, our fears were allayed soon.It is true that on several occasions our vehicle was stopped and questioned by the civic volunteers and personnel of the Kolkata Police be it at Rash Bihari Avenue, Lord’s More, or Tollygunge Phari. But whenever we conveyed to them the purpose of our travel and shared relevant documents to substantiate they have always been courteous. Never for once have they been ham-headed.
In our effort to provide grocery items and medicines, the kirana & pharmacy stores have been of great support. During several occasions on our request they gladly arranged for certain items otherwise unavailable within a day, or two.
Had it not been for such help from different quarters of the civil society Porosh’s efforts to serve the senior citizens would have been far from easy. It has bolstered our belief that citizens of Kolkata do not dither from coming forward to help hapless fellow-travelers during moments of unheard of crises. Did someone say Kolkatans are laid-back?
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