The Covid 19 pandemic in India has definitely caused widespread havoc. But at the same time, it has led to another phenomenon: of people from different walks of life coming together to extend a helping hand to each. These are islands of hope floating in an immense sea of misery and pain.
Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Mr Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal is one such person who is not only helping the needy, but going much beyond his call of duty.
Last year, during the first wave of Covid 19 the senior IPS officer started what he named `Karma group’, under which he roped in volunteers from all around the country and abroad and with their assistance started providing help to people all across India.
ABOUT KARMA
In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Dhaliwal said “As the country is going through such hard times due to the Covid pandemic, we should utilize this time in helping as much people as we can, and mostly the needy groups. Everyone wants to do good karma but people don’t know how to go about it, as sometimes they have meagre resources or there is only a certain level till which a person can extend help. I wanted to change this.”
He further said, “So I started this group by the name of Karma group which was basically drawn out of my own know people, from my boarding school days, MBA friends, civil services group and other friends who are interested in philanthropic activities. This also includes doctors from US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada who could provide telemedicine and consultation. We have also roped in many youngsters who are doing an amazing job during such unprecedented times.”
The group has already roped in more than 125 members from all around the country and abroad. It has been providing help to the people by all means.
NO BOUNDARIES FOR THE VOLUNTEERS
Mr. Dhaliwal said, “The group got formed last year but it got active during the second wave of Covid 19. Rather than promoting a particular organization, which many times create some negative connotations, we started working through getting leads from our own group members. The person getting the lead becomes the head for that assignment and everyone in the group helps in some way or the other. For example, there is an orphanage in Jaipur which houses around 45 HIV positive children and 15 staff members who are in need of ration. So, we act upon it and provide at least three to four weeks of ration, to let them tide over the situation for a month at least.’’
“The thing which stands out in our group is that our volunteers go to the last mile to provide help, and not just distribute ration on roadsides etc. They identify people who are in severe need of help and try to reach out to them,” he added.
Most recently, on 7 June a ration distribution drive was conducted by the Karma group under which 200 packets of ration consisting of an entire range of essentials like atta, rice, oil, milk, pads, sanitisers, biscuits, etc. for a family of five for three weeks were distributed in the slum area of Yamuna Khadar.
Similarly, with the help of Karma group a Delhi-based team of volunteers were able to connect with providers of emergency medications for their Covid Care Centre and also arranged 10 foldable beds for an upcoming centre.
Mr. Dhaliwal has also been taking out time from his busy bureaucrat life for helping in some cause or the other.
A STORYTELLER
During earlier days when Mr. Dhaliwal was posted as a DCP in the Delhi Police, he came across a noble initiative which an old friend of his started by the name of Uday Foundation. The latter wanted him to conduct a storytelling session with children were admitted in a Delhi hospital- all of them suffering from terminal cancer.
The stories which Mr. Dhaliwal recounted revolved around his policing experience, and which the children thoroughly enjoyed. Bestowed with a kind and caring heart, this officer happily reaches out to anybody who needs any kind of support.
