Corona Dance

Tribal villagers of Attukal in Thondamuthur panchayat shook off the gloom and broke into a joyful jig when the Isha field team played a peppy song on Coronavirus awareness. Children and adults poured out onto the streets to listen to the song as a loudspeaker mounted on a vehicle passed by. While the young danced, the elders too enjoyed the foot-tapping beats of the song. The song was greeted with equal gusto by the young and old alike in several other villages.

Community Spirit

Our field team got a pleasant surprise when some neighbours of a volunteer, contributed food grains to protect vulnerable community members from hunger. Three women residents of Sri Ram Garden in Vedapatty donated rice, sugar, and spices to our volunteers. Selvi and Kumutha donated 20 kg and 30 kg of rice respectively, their neighbour Chithra donated 5 kg of sugar, some pepper, and groceries. On their way back, the volunteers stopped again. This time members of the Vikranth family came out of their home and handed over 20 kg of rice and some pepper.

Safe Journey

Hand gloves and protective masks were distributed among government bus drivers and conductors by our volunteers after the Tamil Nadu government announced that public transport services will be allowed to resume operations, though in a restricted manner. In non-containment zones, 50% of public transport vehicles will be allowed to operate with 60% seat occupancy.

Infectious Enthusiasm

A young boy, Amuthesh, who studies in Isha Vidhya school joined our team to lend a helping hand. The enthusiasm and energy of Amuthesh became an inspiration for all as he eagerly took up different responsibilities like distributing food and Nilavembu Kashayam. The boy helped people with a smile from morning to dusk.

Tender Coconut

In Narasipuram panchayat a family was enjoying some tender coconuts when one of our volunteers was passing by. The family stopped the volunteer and insisted that he should take a break and join them for tender coconut. Bowing before their kind gesture, the volunteer complied with their wishes.

Kashayam Forever

Maragatham, a woman who stays in Kuppanoor, told one of our volunteers that drinking Nilavembu Kashayam daily has helped her beat some chronic ailments for which she had to take medications daily. She said: “After drinking Kashayam regularly for the last 40 days, I am feeling much better and do not need to take tablets anymore. I plan to continue drinking Kashayam in the future too.”

Multifaceted benefits associated with Nilavembu Kashayam has enrolled diehard fans in rural communities for this immunity-boosting herbal drink. Another woman, who stays in Nalloorpathi, urged Isha volunteers to continue distributing Nilavembu Kashayam even after the lockdown is over.

She appealed that Isha should distribute the herbal drink at least once a week since it has had a beneficial impact on the health and immunity of all villagers. Dinesh anna, a volunteer, said: “The same request was made by some residents of Theethipalayam. They insisted that Kashayam distribution should continue for some more time.”

Pen Pal

While working in Vedapatti village, one of the volunteers found that the refill in his pen had run dry. When he approached a nearby shop to purchase a new one, the woman shopkeeper, Pandiyammal, offered him a new pen but refused to take money. This was her way of expressing gratitude towards Isha. She said, “You people are doing so much for the villagers, no need to pay”. The volunteer was moved by this act of kindness.