Chaitanya, Shimoga, July 15, 2020: The present situation of the Coronavirus pandemic or COVID-19 epidemic has forced us to at least talk about the plight of the poor. This pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we are facing since World War II. This pandemic is much more than a health crisis. It has also created an unprecedented socio-economic crisis. Every day people are losing their jobs and income, with no way of knowing when normality will return. In spite of all the difficulties and hardships life must go on and people are trying to find new ways and means to move forward. As the number of Corona +ve cases is increasing, the number of Corona Warriors is getting expanded. The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), the frontline health workers are playing an active role by going door-to-door spreading awareness about Coronavirus. They get a very meager salary. Realizing their difficulty and the work they are putting in during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic the Government decided to support them with a financial assistance of Rs 3,000/- each. The Government requested various Co-operatives and other like minded NGOs to come forward to stand by the side of the Government to actualize this idea of providing financial support to ASHA animators.
The Streebandhu Multipurpose Souharda Cooperative Limited joyfully accepted the request and provided financial support to 21 ASHA workers working in different places in the district of Shimoga. A formal function was organized on 11 July 2020 in Chaitanya where financial assistance of Rs 3,000/- was distributed through cheques to 14 ASHA animators. Later on another 07 ASHA animators were provided the financial support of Rs 3,000/- each. Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto, the Chief Executive Officer of Streebandhu Multipurpose Souharda Cooperative Limited appreciated the noble work of ASHA animators during the pandemic and noted that God helps us through different people during our difficult times. The president of Streebandhu Multipurpose Souharda Cooperative Limited, Mrs Precilla Martis, the manager of Streebandhu Multipurpose Souharda Cooperative Limited, Mr Devadan, Sr Premalatha UFS and the staff of Streebandhu Multipurpose Souharda Cooperative Limited and the Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society were present on the occasion.
