Raveena Tandon has quietly been saving so many lives, reveals journalist Faye DSouza

Raveena Tandon (Photo/AFP)

Amid the coronavirus crisis in the country, the lack of oxygen cylinders, shortage of beds in hospital and medicines have become a major cause of concern. Raveena Tandon is one of the many Bollywood and Television celebrities who has come forth to help India at this hour of crisis. Lauding her selfless act, journalist Faye DSouza shared on Twitter an incident where Raveena was quick to offer her helping hand.

"When I put out a tweet looking for a bed for a child in Delhi two weeks ago, the person who reached out and worked to solve the problem was @TandonRaveena She has quietly been saving so many lives. I wanted you guys to know. Thank you, Raveenaji. [sic]"

The actress humbly replied, saying, "We all in this together. [sic]"

Raveena has started an initiative called Oxygen Seva On The Wheels Mumbai To Delhi, where she is sending oxygen cylinders through her non-profit organisation, Rudra Foundation to the Capital. The organisation is even reaching out to those who are well-off for funding.

In a recent interview with IANS, Raveena had said, "I have dispersed a lot of 300 cylinders and for the rest, we are trying to generate funds from like-minded people, whether it is our friends or anyone who has extra money. We are not pressuring people, the common man to come forward and donate. At this moment, everyone needs to save for emergency that they might face. But yes, we are reaching out to people who can make a difference and asking them to chip in."

Not only the shortage of oxygen but people are also being forced to pay exorbitant prices for medical necessities. Talking about the same, the actress said. "Be it ambulances or hospitals, oxygen, oximeters, concentrators, the amount of money being charged is ridiculous. People in dire need of these things are desperate, anything to save their near and dear ones, and are shelling out their life's savings. What can I say about these people taking advantage of the needy at the moment?" she says.

Raveena is making sure to deliver the oxygen to the right people, so that it can go to those who need it, free of cost. "What we are doing is a drop in the ocean of what is required, but the fact is that we have tied up with people where we know for sure this will go free of cost to the needy. We have tied up with DCP South Delhi, the police, and we are handing over a part of the lot that is going now. Then we are giving Radha Soami Satsang Beas cylinders because they have a centre at Chattarpur, which is free of cost. We are giving part of it to the army and another NGO, which has tied up with us. We are going through Twitter and verifying whoever is most needy at that time and sending cylinders there. It's a personal one- to -one thing that we are doing," she said.