PANAJI
AAP’s Oxi-mitras have been criss-crossing the state to help out Goans and helpfree them from concern around the Corona pandemic.
“We are glad that we are able to help and save lives.Along the line we have met and touched many lives and received many thanks.People have reacted positively to our campaign and are thankful that we havetaken up a job that the government should have,” AAP-Goa said in a statement.
Many residents of Goa are yet to receive their kits from the government if theyare positive. Meanwhile AAP’s Oxi-mitras have filled the gaps.
The cause was taken up by many AAP volunteers after acall was made by the party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on his birthday.
The call has been answered in many ways. Some volunteers have taken to goingdoor to door in their neighborhoods, while others have set up kiosks across thevillages. Oximitra kiosks have dotted the state whether it’s Mandrem, Aldona,Calangute or Cortalim.
“We have been going to many villages around Aldona andhave tested hundreds of residents,” said volunteer Bruno Fernandes.
In Cavelossim village volunteers visited the sick andelderly in their houses and helped them measure their oxygen levels.
One such person was Malaika and her mother Seles. Malaika and Seles played goodSamaritans to an elderly neighbor who lives alone. When the neighbour felldown, the mother-daughter duo also helped take care of the elderly lady.However, much to their concern, their neighbour tested Corona positive and havingno access to an oximeter they immediately connected with their nearest AAPvolunteer who rushed to their assistance.
“We received very prompt aid,” said Malaika, adding, “When our neighbor felldown at her home my mother managed to call the fire service who helped open thedoor. My mother helped pick her up and even spent time with her as she wasrecovering. However later on she tested positive for Corona and while wewere waiting for our test results, we contacted AAP’s oxi-mitras who came veryfast and helped us measure our oxygen levels!”
Oximitras in Aldona too struck a chord with locals. “I had read about thiscampaign in the papers and also on Facebook,” said Gregory Carvalho, adding, “Ithink it’s an important thing for everyone to check their oxygen level and Ithink all Goans should definitely participate.”
“In this pandemic everybody is just worried. When you go out you don’t knowwhat will happen” said Shashidhar Harankar from Pernem, adding, “AAP memberscame and measured my oxygen levels and they gave me a morale boost when I sawthat the counts were normal.”
Pritish Mandrekar from Velha was in Mapusa when he cameacross the AAP Oximitra team and got his oxygen level checked.
The #GoansAgianstCorona campaign has not just been a one way street. This wasevident when Valonia Barretto, a schoolgirl from Chinchinim donated 9 oximetersto the campaign to help out her fellow Goans
“I think this campaign has united Goa in a way rarely seen recently,” saidRahul Mhambre, AAP-Goa convenor, adding, “The fact is that people have decidedthat enough is enough and they need to take their safety in their own hands.”
