The two have taken up a noble initiative and a challenging task to provide free medicines (drugs) to all COVID-19 related patients across the state free of costs from May 6.
By Imna Longchar
Keeping in mind that the entire nation is reeling under the severest or darkest crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and Nagaland State not being left behind with numbers of positive cases surging up daily at an alarming stage, an initiative of the M/S Medico, Dimapur, led by its proprietor, father and son duo, Basu and Arvind Damani, has taken up a noble initiative and a challenging task to provide free medicines (drugs) to all COVID-19 related patients across the states free of costs starting May 6.
In an interaction with this correspondent, Basu Damani, who is the proprietor of M/s Medico, wholesale distributor in the state located opposite to St. Mary’s School, Church Road, Dimapur, and also the general secretary, Nagaland Medicine Dealer’s Association (NDMA), said that the Medico was started by his father, late DL Damani, who was himself a philanthropist, in the 1980s.
Basu said that last year, when the pandemic started, experiencing the shortages of face masks by the people, his establishment (M/s Medico) with support from his family members have donated 10,000 nos of triple-ply face masks to Dimapur District GBs Association, Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation.
GBs Union Dimapur, and Dimapur Village Council Chairmen Association, on May 23 from its office (M/s Medico), Nyamo Lotha Road, Dimapur, which was handed over to them by Nagaland Medicine Dealers’ Association (NMDA) president, Ato Yepthomi.
Carrying out the same humanitarian activities to the poor and needy besides district administrations and police, this year also keeping in mind the ever surge in the COVID-19 positive cases daily in the country and also in the state which is a “panicking moment” for everyone, Basu said along with his son, Arvind Damani, and their team (M/s Medico) discussed to distribute the Covid medicines (drugs) to the needy for which they approached the Assistant Drug Controller, Dimapur, Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital, Dimapur, Covid Control Unit, Dr. Bano, Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, and the chairman of the District Task Force (DTF), the deputy commissioner, Dimapur, additional Deputy commissioner, Dimapur, had encouraged for the same as the medicines brought have been recommended by All India of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, and Lucknow etc.
First day, which was held on May 6, he said many had come forward and the response was very “diminutive”, but with support from many individuals including social organizations who had voluntarily offered their physical and material help.
Also acknowledging the Jain Samaj President, Om Prakash Sethi, who is contributing towards the citizens not only the state’s commercial hub of Nagaland, Dimapur, but rather looking beyond, the former has also the courtesy to respect him or by acknowledging him as he had offered ambulance services for COVID related purposes, Basu was thankful to each and every citizen of Nagaland who had encouraged in its endeavours to serve the people.
Inspired by a quote by his parent on “what has been taught, you have to share,” Basu, citing an example of the present Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, (though not politically) said that he (Rio) was elected since for the last 30 years due to his “nature in giving” to people.
Basu also disclosed that after seeing the encouragement in the conduct of the 2nd day, his team would try to bring in the “Remdesivir”, doubtfully difficult to arrange in the state. He later expressed his gratitude to the many organizations including the many well-wishers who had come forward for the assistance including the Lion Club Dimapur (LCD) for voluntarily allowing to use the Club’s health Centre for storage of the medicines (drugs) and for the distribution of the same.
It may be mentioned that the free distribution of the medicines (drugs) for the entire state will go on till there is a normalcy on Covid-19. Meanwhile, President, Dimapur District Citizen’s Forum (DDCF), Yibemo Kikon, who was also present as an “observer” expressed his gratitude to Basu Damani for his philanthropic approach towards humanity on behalf of the citizens of Dimapur.
Lamenting that no person(s), and the official(s) from the concerned department had ever come forward in “any ways” despite the issue being “alarming”, however, he urged all to pray for the next continuing days which could be very hectic.