COVID surge rekindles Kolkata’s para spirit – Times of India

Kolkata News

Last year, the first COVID-19 case in Kolkata was reported from a housing complex in New Garia when an 18-year-old student tested positive after returning from the UK. Following the incident that made headlines, his entire family was ostracised and blamed for bringing the disease to the city. As cases started multiplying, this incident was buried deep under the growing numbers of deaths and infections. Now, after a year, as the second wave of the pandemic wreaks havoc, no COVID patient is mistreated or ostracised in the complex any more. They are treated with empathy, warmth and care by not just their families but also fellow neighbours, setting a classic example of Kolkata’s age-old para culture.
COVID 2.0 has seen the comeback of the near-forgotten community spirit, which once used to be an integral feature of the City of Joy, but had started to gradually fade away. Several housing societies in the city have formed special committees to help COVID-hit families. From grocery shopping to arranging medical help – they are taking care of every need of the infected and isolated families in this hour of crisis.
Common groups created to keep para members connected
Unlike the old Bengali paras, it is no longer possible to stay informed about every household without the help of technology. That’s why most residential complexes and neighbourhoods have formed exclusive WhatsApp groups or similar communication systems, which are proving to be the heart of these new communities. Kausik Mitra, who lives in a complex off EM Bypass, said, “Our internal information sharing system is a great way to communicate with COVID patients in the complex. It helps us gather information to plan our course of action.”
Residents of Rajanikanta Park, a neighbourhood near Barisha, have also created their first common group in view of the pandemic. Debanjan Sarkar, an engineer from the locality, said the group is a great way to reach all the 26 houses in their para. “Whenever one of us sees a verified post with COVID helpline numbers on social media, we share it on the group. This is particularly helpful when social distancing and breaking the chain are the need of the hour,” he said
Shopping, cooking and more for fellow neighbours
Whenever a resident of the neighbourhood declares he or she is infected on the common group, the rest of the members come forward to help. Dilip Sanyal (name changed), a resident of an EM Bypass complex, and his wife tested positive for COVID in January. As soon as they announced it on the group, help started pouring in from their neighbours. “It was really unexpected. Our son lives in Bangalore, so we were quite anxious thinking how to cope with the situation. But soon after I informed them, our neighbours started sending meals, medicines and even fruits and vegetables to our home,” he said.
Kaushik, who lives in the same complex, said that such gestures have become common in the second wave. “People nearby are volunteering to help the affected families in every possible way,” he said.
Director Arindam Sil, who has also been witnessing such acts of kindness in his complex near Ruby, said that helpful residents are stepping up to help each other on their own. “The best part is we have never asked anyone to help. People are doing it voluntarily by making small efforts like buying vegetables, bread and butter for the isolated members. This is a very nice and comforting feeling. Now I know that I am not alone and there are at least 100 people out there to help me in case I fall sick,” he said.
Vaccination, COVID care facilities for residents, staff
Not just providing groceries, neighbourhoods and complexes are organising vaccination drives as well. The residents are making all the necessary arrangements by using their contacts and sources. In complexes, the security personnel, gardeners and domestic helps too are getting the jabs along with residents. While a New Garia complex recently hosted such a drive, a residential complex near Ruby is planning to create a special COVID care facility on the premises.
Fashion designer Abhisek Roy, who lives near Jayashree Park in Behala, recently put up a post on social media saying he would be happy to ferry people in his car to reach the hospital or buy medicines. Ever since, he has been flooded with calls seeking help to buy not just medicines but also groceries and food. “Suddenly, the entire Kolkata has become my para and trust me, this is a great feeling. Since I have enough PPE kits, I don’t mind taking COVID patients to hospitals. Recently, I took an elderly couple to a vaccination centre and dropped them back to their house. I’m happy to help,” he told us.

Just like Abhisek, several Kolkatans are coming to the rescue of strangers on humanitarian grounds. Bijoygarh’s Milan Kumar Das was away when his father’s oxygen saturation dropped to 62. “I was in a state of utter panic, Then I received a number from a source and called on that. I was asked to send a photo of the pulse oximetry reading and within half an hour, a group of young people reached my dad with oxygen. I am indebted to those youngsters for saving my father’s life,” he said.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/covid-surge-rekindles-kolkatas-para-spirit/articleshow/82366964.cms