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Second wave of the pandemic last year brought immense pain and suffering as people struggled to get hospitalised, get oxygen or struggled to cremate their loved ones. But the testing times also gave rise to heroes out of ordinary individuals, who came to the rescue of people in distress.
Some of the second wave heroes who tested positive during the third wave have now been flooded with calls by friends, neighbours and even acquaintances. “I had just updated on social media about my family testing positive to alert those who had come in contact with us. Within a few hours my phone was constantly ringing with so many people offering to help. Some even delivered sweets and fruits to our building,” said Banerjee.
“During the second wave I had done what any human being would do in such a situation to help people get oxygen, hospitalised, vaccinated. But the way people have come forward to help me has left me emotional,” he added.
Pratyusha Ghosh and her friends were part of a group in New Town that helped residents during the second wave. Late last week she too tested positive along with her family members. “We isolated as soon as we had symptoms. I was worried about buying groceries and medicines but before I could reach out for help people came forward,” said the resident of New Town.
Same is the story with Abhishek Saha, who works in Gurgaon and was in Kolkata during the second wave. He had assisted many in his Beliaghata neighbourhood. This week his parents and domestic help tested positive. “Instead of me inquiring about the condition of my parents, my neighbours are updating me every few hours. I don’t know how to react to such acts of benevolence,” said Saha.