Hi,

As you may know, India is currently battling a deadly 2nd wave of Covid. For the 7th day in a row, India has recorded more than 350,000 infections and there is sadly an acute shortage of hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and basic medical supplies. This has led to 1000s of excess deaths and the current death toll of 200,000 is unfortunately a gross underestimate. There is a split scenario unfolding as the world battles this pandemic. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, jubilant, newly-vaccinated people hug their loved ones after a long period of separation. In India, distraught families count their dead.

Coming from a family of doctors, I consider myself highly privileged, especially under these circumstances. But it has also shown me first hand what's happening at the ground level, with phones constantly ringing with desperate friends and family asking for help to arrange supplies. A recent survey has revealed that more than half the number of serious Covid patients in India had to resort to “connections and clout” to get resources. One can only imagine what's happening to the other sections of the society, when the privileged are scrambling for supplies. Amidst this chaos however, we have found a charity - "The Hemkunt Foundation " that is doing some really great work and has come through for us and many others.

Their aim is to procure, supply or refill oxygen cylinders for those who are unable to find hospital beds and to this end they are working 24/7 to set up stations in car parks and temporary beds. They have been able to help us first hand and are therefore a verified source very close to my heart.

I want to do as much as possible away from home so that more families have access to the supplies they need. To this end, I have set up this fundraiser with all proceeds going towards the Hemkunt Foundation and would really like your support. Any contribution, no matter how small, would help us better this dire situation. As I understand, they only take donations in INR - so I am more than happy to collect on here and bear the international transaction fees on my own account. Alternatively if you would like to contribute directly, below is the attached link.

https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/o2foryou?utm_medium=whatsappShare&utm_content=be85a340335a44390c54739eddfa996d&shby=1&utm_source=external_Ketto&utm_campaign=o2foryou&fbclid=IwAR3MYQOHtX-n8_ZN_XPfo4IQk8SWtXspM1T8Gx-cFcfZKi8fI9odUo7BalQ

We very much appreciate your help.

Nakul

**The picture above belongs to the Hemkunt Foundation.