The Gems & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF), a body set up and supported by all the stakeholders of the gem and jewellery industry across India, had stepped forward to organise a mega relief campaign during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic last year.
Working along with the Government of Maharashtra and the BMC authorities, the organisation had been quick to respond to appeals for help, be it from needy citizens, including daily wage workers and migrants, and hospitals and the police force at the frontline of the battle against the pandemic.
This year as the second wave of Covid is unleashing havoc, GJNRF is back to especially supporting hospitals.
Sanjay Kothari, Chairman, GJNRF, said “Last year, the majority of the work that was done included food distribution and taking care of the artisans and migrant workers. But this year the requirement is totally different. In the health care segment, there is an urgent need for oximeters, oxygen, concentration machines and ventilators. Hospital facilities and medicines are more important rather than the food.”
“So, we are in the process of supplying ventilators and concentrated oxygen machines to several hospitals and organisations.”
“If we are supplying machines to a temporarily set-up Covid centre, it is given with the condition that the machines will be returned to us so that we can donate to other hospitals later on.”
“As of now, we have already committed to spend Rs. 2 crore. In Banskantha, Gujarat, we have committed to offer Rs. 1.25 crore, as these small towns do not have adequate facilities, and there aren’t enough people to donate money. We are also supporting a Covid hospital in Dharampur, Gujarat, which is being inaugurated on 25th April.”
“In Mumbai, we are supporting two covid centres in Vile Parle, and the Jain International Trade Organization.”
So far GJNRF has carried out the following relief work in Covid-19 Pandemic:
1) Distribution of 50 tons of food grains in Raigadh District.
2) Distribution of Ration kits for 1-2 months to 30,000 artisans, catering to 1.5 lakh people at Palanpur, Visnagar, Surendranagar, Botad, Surat, Dahisar, Malad and Zaveri Bazaar.
3) Provided food and snacks to 1.5 lakh migrants at Bandra, Kurla, Vasai, Virar and Surat Rly. Stations and at Raigadh.
4) Provided daily meals to 6,000 people for a month as per BMC requirements.
5) Distributed 40,000 masks, 25,000 eyewear, 22,000 gloves, 25,000 PPE kits, 21,000 diapers, 24,000 litres sanitiser, 960 Covid testing PCR Kits, 50 Pulse Oxymeters, 50 temperature guns and 5 face mask incinerators to various hospitals and police stations.
6) Donated 8 Dialysis m/cs to two hospitals in Juhu and Dombivli.
7) Donated 10 Airvo portable ventilator HFNC machines to Govt. hospitals in Mumbai and Mahavir hospital, Surat.
8) Renovated a wing with 5 special rooms at St. George’s Hospital in September
9) Created a new IT wing at Nagpada police hospital in September.
10) Donated 2 ambulances, one to the State Govt,108 services and one to Elizabeth hospital.
11) Donated 3 Intellivue Monitors to Tata Memorial Hospital.
12) Donated Total Biochemistry Analyser to Nagpada Police hospital.
13) Provided 400 beds to BKC quarantine centre.
14) Provided financial support to 1,300 MDMA members.
15) Provided 5,000 meals ie. breakfast, lunch and dinner to doctors and nursing staff of Government hospitals.
16) Donated 20 High Flow Therapy Machines to various hospitals.
17) Donated SLE 2000 Infant Ventilator to Alibag Civil Hospital.
18) Distribution of hampers to police women in Mumbai and Surat on International Women’s day in association with GIA and Shrimad Rajchandra Education Trust.
19) Donation of 3 Oxygen concentration Machine to Malad and Dahisar Diamond Association and 2 to Palanpur Samaj Kendra
20) Donation of 5 Oxygen concentration Machines to catholic Gymkhana COVID centre run by BMC.
