नागरिक पोष्ट News

The epidemic of corona virus covid -19 has spread around the world. This epidemic had a direct impact on Nepal. Due to covid-19, the country, which has been completely closed for two months. Industries, businesses have come to a standstill, millions have lost their jobs. Those with low incomes and those earning a living have been in crisis since the beginning of the recession, and now even those with good savings are finding it difficult to make ends meet.  

Religious and social organizations are already doing humanitarian work during such an epidemic. One of the foremost institutions is Bodhisattva Vihar, which has provided free food to more than one lakh people in Lock-downe. At this time, the original master of Bodhisattva, Heguwang Shi, is in Nepal.

 He came to Nepal before the lockdown and got stuck after the international flight was canceled. On this occasion, a 'Lockdown Support Food Charity' has been launched in Nepal on the initiative of social worker Shant Sharma, under which free kitchens have been operating in 18 places in the Valley since April 17. According to Shanta Sharma, who heads the food charity, since April 17, the Bodhisattva has been feeding and watering 1,500 to 3,000 patients and teens at the Teaching, Kanti and Ganga Lal Hospitals daily from the central kitchen in Banswasi alone. In addition, 5 large and 13 pocket kitchens are operating in different places of the valley targeting the workers. According to Shanta Sharma, 1 lakh 3 meals have been served from all kitchens till March 23. According to Shant, the pocket kitchen will continue to operate and he plans to expand it further.

Pocket Kitchen focuses on workers' huts. Vihar provides all the necessary items including gas, rations, vegetables for such kitchens in the slums. In each pocket kitchen, babies are given lactogen and lito according to their age. The monastery has given the best home-made flour with 20 nutrients to children and the elderly. Preparations are now underway for herbal medicine for maternity. He says that the distribution will start soon.

On the other hand, Bodhisattva is also working on health education and security. Health education and counseling is being provided by conducting basic tests of people in various places. It is distributing health security materials including PPE to the security personnel, health workers and journalists who have to work in the front line in different districts.

Bodhisattva Vihar has sent 50 sets of PPE, 20 liters of sanitizer, sanitizer spray machine and 2 thermal guns to Nepalgunj. Prithvi Chandra Hospital in Parasi has donated 5 sets of PPE, 500 sets of masks and 500 sets of gloves. The Thapathali-based maternity hospital has been given 5 sets of PPE, 1300 masks and 100 pairs of globes and the Sundhara-based central jail has been given 2 sets of PPEs, 300 masks, 300 pairs of globs, 100 liters of phenyl, 60 liters of Harpic and a thermal gun. Under the leadership of Shanta, Bihar is distributing PPE, masks and other security materials to the security personnel deployed at all the main entry points of the valley. The materials have been distributed at Nagdhunga and Mudkhu checkposts with the help of CDIO office, while the distribution is yet to be done at Bhaktapur and Dakshinkali checkpoints. The Bodhisattvas distribute health and relief items in the presence of local people's representatives or CDOs.

Anup Thapa, Sagar Thapa, Angelina Thapa, Nischal Chhetri, Pramila Karki and Simran KC are in the emergency leadership group. They are currently working in different districts to distribute health and relief items from kitchen operations. In fact, the purpose of Bodhisattva Vihara is to serve not only human beings but also the entire animal kingdom. At present, the monastery is feeding gram, biscuits and fruits to the monkeys in the area. Vihar had done a memorable job even in the relief after the great earthquake five years ago.

Bodhisattva Vihar is an international group of devotees dedicated to human service. Bodhisattvas, who are based in Taiwan, have branches in Nepal, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, USA, Canada, Singapore and other countries.