This is a grand experience. I am an asthma patient. I don’t go out during the Durga puja due to my health condition and the crowd. The most I have done is visiting my small local Durga puja pandal.” said Batul, one of the senior patients of Calcutta Rescue hailing from the Kolkata station slum area.
On a sunny morning, October 19th, 14 patients from Calcutta Rescue eagerly set off on a Durga Puja pandal tour in Kolkata.
This initiative, which began last year, continued this year with the same enthusiasm. “We visited smaller and famous pandals, focusing on giving our beneficiaries a wonderful experience with care for their health,” shared Romi, the supervisor of Tangra clinic, leading the tour.
The patients, from Tangra, Kolkata slum area, and Bagbazar, were accompanied by Community Health Workers from these regions, ensuring a smooth journey and guiding them to the goddess idol for prayers. Meals were provided to keep everyone energized.
Parbati and Shalini, Community Health Workers, expressed their delight, saying, “It was also our first time visiting puja pandals like this.”
Aloka, a cardiac patient, shared her gratitude, “Thanks to Calcutta Rescue, I had a beautiful experience. I pray to Ma Durga that her blessings rain down on the Calcutta Rescue team who takes care of us in such a remarkable way.”
