Sathya Sai Seva organisations unite to serve people hit by pandemic

The incessant saga of distribution of food grains in hundreds of tones and establishment of community kitchens in nearly every state of India has been an example of their service.

Reaching out to the needy people during the Lockdown, distribution of Amrutha Kalasam Prasadam Kits containing dry rations of 10 to 12 items that would help a family have their daily meal, sufficient for 15 days. The kits were distributed to a total of 22,194 Families during the period up to August 20.Services were carried out with the involvement of local government officials. Considering the restrictions in movement of sevadals and also vehicles, the entire distribution of the Amrutha Kalasam Prasadam kits was carried out with the active support and coordination of the local government officials. Many times the kits were handed over to the officials, for them to distribute to the ultimate beneficiariesBeneficiaries included more than 1,500 families with persons who are differently-abled.

Yet another highlight of the seva included the distribution of prasadam kits in remote hilly areas, inhabited by tribal families, especially in the districts of The Nilgris and Dindugal. Volunteers walked several kilometres to reach these villages and delivered the kits In large parts of the State, where the government was distributing free rice and other essentials, prasadam kits with provisions like pulses, tamarind, spices were distributed.In another step, community kitchens were set up to prepare and distribute cooked food to migrant guests and health officials as soon as the lockdown imposed by the government began. Migrant workers, roadside dwellers and daily wage workers were among the beneficiaries People, who were sheltered in the government community centre and in various other places, were also provided free food. A community kitchen was set up at Rajapalayam, Virudhu Nagar District, Tamil Nadu following all the guidelines and protocols mandated from the office of the All India President. A total of 16,290 food packets were cooked and distributed from this Kitchen as on 15th June 2020. The noble work undertaken by the organisations was well appreciated by the government officials. The number of beneficiaries also witnessed a steep increase day by day. Volunteers also undertook seva activities during the lockdown period like providing face masks and kabasura kudineer.Around 1,59,700 packets of kabasura kudineer were distributed across the State. A total of 23,810 masks were distributed to hospital staff, health workers and other essential workers.

In Chennai, community kitchens were set up at Red Hills, Minjur, Omandurar Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital. A total of 63,024 food packets were cooked and distributed from all the kitchens during the period up to 20th August. Food packets were also delivered to hospitals with COVID patients. From August 3 to August 20 around 5,950 patients at Kilpauk Government and 2,680 persons at Tamil Nadu Govt Multi Super Speciality Hospital at Omandurar Estate were served with food packets.As part of the relief, the Irula Community, who are traditionally involved in snake catching for their livelihood were provided with 35 solar torch lights, after taking necessary approvals from the Local Government Officials.Relief measures were carried out across India in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Around 2,05,430 families were benefitted from Amrutha Kalasam kits and 22,03,346 people were supported by the community kitchens and other measures provided.