Egypt, Dana Gas report new well success in onshore Nile Delta    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    UK pay settlements stagnant amid inflation surge    Egyptian pound opens flat on July 23    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    World Bank proposes Egypt join new global health initiative    Egypt, India discuss expanding industrial, investment partnerships    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, Uruguay eager to expand trade across key sectors    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



India's Houses of worship rise up to help as second COVID-19 wave hits
Temples step in to serve as care centres as country struggles under second wave
Published in Daily News Egypt on 08 - 05 - 2021

As India struggles with a second wave of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, several temples across the nation have come forward to offer aid and assistance to fight the battle.
As new cases surge in Gujarat, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple of Vadodara has converted its Yagnapurush Sabhagruh into a COVID-19 facility.
The COVID-19 care centre is equipped with 500 beds, oxygen facilities such as liquid oxygen tanks and piped oxygen lines, ICU beds, and ventilators.
The facility has been operational since 13 April, and has so far admitted 45 COVID-19 patients from a nearby hospital for further treatment.
Gyan Vatsal Swami of the Shri Swaminarayan Temple said, "We are providing all the non-medical facilities for patients, and we have arranged for oxygen and ventilators including the ICU rooms apart from fans and air-coolers."
Swami added, "Currently, there 300 beds are operational and 200 will be added soon."
Puri's Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has decided to convert its Nilachal Bhakta Nivas into a COVID-19 Care Centre. This 120 bed facility will also act as a dedicated centre for servitors and officials associated with the temple infected with the coronavirus.
Apart from this, the temple had pledged a donation of Rs 1.51 crore towards the Chief Minister Relief Fund to aid the government in this fight.
A letter by the temple registration read, "As per the decision of the Managing Committee of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, an amount of Rs.1,51.00.000/- (one crore fifty-one lakh) is contributed towards Chief Minister's Relief Fund for COVID-19 from Temple Administration."
Along with Jagannath Puri, 62 other smaller temples in Orissa donated to the CMRF.
Meanwhile, the Pawandham Temple in Mumbai's Kandivali has converted its four-storey building into a COVID-19 quarantine centre equipped with 100 beds. Out of the 100, 50 beds are equipped with an oxygen concentrator unit, oximeters, pulse metre, portable BP apparatus, and monitor machine among others. Additionally, more than 50 medical staff including 10 doctors are deployed in the facility.
Santosh Singh, a Managing Committee Member of the temple said, "We have so far got 50 beds ready, we have tied up with Apex Hospital for healthcare support like doctors, medical staff. All we are waiting for is the critical oxygen supply before that comes we can't start. Assurance has been given by some suppliers but let's see."
The temple which was converted into a COVID-19 centre last year, and has treated more than 2,000 patients.
The Mahavir Temple at Patna is providing free oxygen cylinders to the infected. It started its work of providing free oxygen on the 30th of April.
A Jain Temple in Mumbai has been converted to a COVID-19 care centre. A 100-bed pathology lab was built here last year, and 2,000 patients were treated.
Meanwhile, the Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple, is one of the largest religious centres in the state. Here, separate isolation complexes of 500 beds have been built for COVID suspects and patients. It has a community kitchen that prepares food for 2,000 people. This food is given to everyone for free.
In view of the deteriorating COVID-19 conditions in Mumbai, the temple was converted into a COVID-19 hospital some time ago. The temple chief assured that the treatment of the patients here would be taken care of by the temple committee.
Arrangement has been made by the ISKCON Temple to provide free food for the elderly, children, patients, and pregnant women. A helpline number 9717544444 has been issued by ISKCON. A separate kitchen has been started by the Temple for the purpose.
Indore's Radhaswami Satsang Vyas, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, has been made the second largest COVID-19 care centre in the country. It has been named "Maa Ahilya Kovid Care Center". A maximum of 6,000 beds can be arranged here.
Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has announced the setting up of an oxygen plant at the Ram Mandir Temple, Ayodhya, in view of the coronavirus crisis. The trust will bear the expenses of Rs 55 lakhs. This oxygen plant will be set up at Dasharatha Medical College.
The Tirupati Temple is often at the top of the list in terms of charity. Last year amidst the coronavirus crisis, migrant labourers were accommodated here.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is one of the holiest shrines for Hindus, has been feeding the patients suffering from COVID-19.
The famous Sarangpur Hanuman Mandir in the Botad district of Gujarat, had converted its Dharamshala into a 100-bed hospital to tend to the coronavirus patients last year.
Last year too, when the pandemic's first wave hit the country, many Hindu temples had poured in millions in donations, providing food and shelter for the needy, and had stood up to support the nation through the crisis.


Clic here to read the story from its source.