Port Blair, July 26: It was much of a surprise for islands’ social worker popularly known as Ration Rasheed to get a call from someone sitting far away at Pokhran, Rajasthan pleading to help nearly 40 families who are hand to mouth due to the ongoing Corona Pandemic. The call was from a folk singer named Ghulam Khan who sent a video message through social media narrating the pathetic condition of his community of traditional ethnic folk singers out there. The families were severely affected by the pandemic as they had lost their only source of income i.e. singing folk songs.
In order to verify the legitimacy and authenticity of the SOS, Rasheed immediately contacted the District Magistrate at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan and also got in touch with the Revenue Inspector and Tehsildar of the District. The genuineness was finally established, which explained that the call was from real needy people waiting for immediate assistance.
Following up the issue, Rasheed got in touch with ‘Better Hope’ NGO and Team SOS for the mission of providing ration kits to more than 40 families of these traditional ethnic folk singers in Rajasthan.
On 24th July 2021, the team of Better Hope NGO in coordination with Team SOS provided ration articles to them under Ration Rasheed Foundation.
On receiving the much awaited help from far away Andaman & Nicobar Islands through Mr. Rasheed, the community of Folk singers have expressed their sincere gratitude and sent showers of blessings for Ration Rasheed, Better Hope, NGO and Team SOS India.