Representational Image
People hardly know him by his actual identify in Bihar, however one point out of the ‘oxygen man’ and he’s immediately recognised because the life-saver for critically in poor health COVID-19 patients in instances of extreme scarcity of oxygen provide. The man on a mission, Patna-resident Gaurav Rai, has helped save the lives of over 1,100 patients in house isolation within the state capital and different components of Bihar thus far by offering oxygen cylinders free of value.
“In the current spell of the second wave, 365 oxygen cylinders have been provided to those in extreme need of these in Patna itself,” he advised PTI in an interview.
At a time when hospitals are turning away COVID-19 patients because of scarcity of beds and oxygen cylinders, Rai has come throughout as an ‘angel’ for the distressed, stated a number of patients who have gotten a brand new lease of life owing to his efforts.
ALSO READ |Â Bihar pronounces free vaccination for all above 18 years of age
Rai, 52, who works in a non-public firm engaged within the manufacture of high-security quantity plates for vehicles in Patna, and his spouse Aruna Bhardwaj, function an ‘oxygen financial institution’ with greater than 250 cylinders of 10 kg every.
With tears in his eyes, Rai stated the concept got here to him after he fell prey to the lethal virus in July final yr.
“I used to be admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), the place I witnessed the dismal situation of Covid patients in dire want of oxygen cylinders.
“I just ran home and told my wife if god makes me survive, I will do something for mankind… I was cured in a few days and it seemed that the almighty indeed chose this task for me,” he stated.
Setting apart a portion of his wage, and with monetary assist from his spouse and some shut buddies, Rai started with simply three medical oxygen cylinders on the finish of July 2020, after which elevated the inventory to 54.
Help additionally got here from the Bihar Foundation, which donated 200 oxygen cylinders, Rai stated.
Bihar Foundation is an impartial physique fashioned by the Department of Industries in 2010, which seeks to achieve out to non-resident Biharis.
“Since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, we have provided cylinders to a total of 1,103 patients in Patna and other parts of the state,” he stated.
The oxygen financial institution extends companies in Patna, Buxar, Bhagalpur, Siwan, Gopalganj, Gaya, Arwal, Motihari, Jehanabad, Hajipur, Nalanda, Begusarai and Madhepura, amongst different districts.
The day begins at 5 am for the ‘oxygen man’ who transports the cylinders in his personal automobile to severe COVID-19 patients. He additionally demonstrates its operations to their relations.
“However, the demand for cylinders has skyrocketed now, and I request the family members of patients to collect these from my residence at Shri Krishna Nagar. Subsequently, we send a video on how to operate to the recipients,” Rai stated.
“I insist on doctors’ prescriptions to ensure that oxygen cylinders are first given to those who are in most need of these,” he stated, including, there have been some situations of misuse by not returning the cylinders or inflicting harm to its components.
Rai stated he will get the empty cylinders stuffed from a benevolent “Kumar Enterprises” situated in Patna for a modest Rs 100 every.
“Our oxygen bank provides cylinders free of cost. I spend Rs 20,000 of my salary and also a share of my wife’s earnings for the purpose,” he stated.
When contacted, most beneficiaries could not thank him sufficient for his service to mankind.
“I see him as a ‘devdoot’ carrying ‘sanjeevani’ (cylinder) for my coronavirus-infected father,” Pawan Singh, a resident of Purandarpur in Patna, stated.
Ashish Kumar, who works in Pune, stated Rai was nothing lower than an angel who saved his father’s life in December final yr by means of well timed intervention.
Young women Sakshi Raj and Neha Sharma, who had contacted Rai after attending to find out about him on Facebook and radio, described him as a brilliant human.
“Gaurav uncle is no ordinary man; we consider him as a representative of god. He is still in touch with us,” they stated.Â
ALSO READ |Â 3.32 lakh COVID-19 instances & 2,263 deaths: India information highest-ever day by day spike in world
ALSO READ |Â Railways, Air Force being deployed to scale back transportation time for oxygen tankers: PM Modi
ALSO READ |Â COVID 19: Non-essential retailers in Patna to open 3 days per week
