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-globalbihari bureau
Patna: It has been more than a month since a complete lockdown was announced in the state capital of Bihar and life has come to a standstill. Patna is a crowded city with a population of more than 32 lakhs. During the lockdown the daily wage earners and street vendors are facing very difficult times in spite of the various relief measures initiated by the Government of Bihar.
Also at risk are elderly people and people requiring medical health and medicines who cannot go out to buy the essentials during the lockdown.
The Society of Radio Amateurs (SORA) a HAM radio group is doing its bit to make things easier for the affected people. It comprises of HAM radio operators who connect locally and also all over the world using their independent wireless sets.
The group consisting of about 30 dedicated radio operators who are spread all over the city, connect on the network every day for 15 minutes to handle emergency traffic and expedite supply of food and medicines to the needy.
The team has 6 YL — female hams are called YL meaning Young Lady; males are called OM (Old Man) irrespective of age.
The President of SORA Sumita Sahi, VU2IO YL, with secretary Rajiv Ranjan, VU2VFB OM, are involved in coordinating the relief and rescue operations. Such is their motivational level that Rajiv Ranjan himself drove during lockdown to provide medicines and emergency requirements to quarantined people.
VU2IO YL and VU3NEI (HAM radio operators are identified by these codes) were also part of the communication team during Nepal earthquake.
The SORA group also comprises of community traffic police people who help in distribution of food to needy persons. Dhananjay Kumar, Vu2 VFA OM, looks after the food distribution and other operators like VU2XH OM and VU2VFC monitor the band throughout the day for emergencies.
The HAM operators are providing medicines, food and also other healthcare equipment during unfortunate events like death or extreme medical emergency. They are providing families help and hope.
“HAM radio operators are also providing food and medicine during the Corona virus pandemic,” said Pranav Sahi, VU2XH OM, who was the founder president of SORA.
SORA also arranged 60 packets of ration with every packet sufficient for 15 days for two persons, to HIV infected sex workers. The ration included rice, wheat flour, pulses, salt, potato, turmeric powder, sugar, tea, and match box. They were district used to these sex workers by Amrita Soni, a transgender, and Gyan Ranjan, President, People Living With HIV/AIDS Society.
SORA has actually proved that HAMs are doing their best to support their community in which they live and operate. HAM as many people interpret it is Helping all mankind.[the_ad_placement id=”sidebar-feed”]
