Businesses can wait but humanity cannot!

Srinagar, Mar 24: Despite incurring over Rs 20000 crore losses in last year’s lockdown, Kashmir’s business community has joined in the efforts to help the people in distress given the COVID 19 pandemic.

Leading the charge is Abdul Hamid Bhat, proprietor of `Rahim Motors’, who has announced Rs 10 lakh for the treatment of the coronavirus patients.

“Besides being a businessman, I am a responsible citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. I have released Rs 10 lakh to help the people deal with the crisis.  I know it is a very little amount. We should help as much we can,” he said.

Bhat noted that he will provide ambulance and generators for the health centers treating coronavirus patients.

“I have kept an ambulance available for the service of people. I also want to put it on record that the health department can use my generators for power backup at the isolation centers,” he said.

Bhat urged members of the business fraternity to come forward and help mankind. “We will also be providing help to the people who are dependent on daily earnings,” he said.

On Tuesday two more patients were tested positive in Srinagar taking the overall number to three in Kashmir.

Many non- governmental organizations including Athrout, Faith and Help Poor Foundation have also stepped up efforts to help the people in distress.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) has also joined the efforts to help “needy” and “downtrodden” sections of the society.

“We have a KCCI relief trust. Noted businessmen of the valley are its members. We have appealed them to reach out to poor strata of society especially daily wagers and laborers who may need help this time around,” said President KCCI Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad.