Chandigarh has seen 819 deaths, Punjab has encountered 16520. In an RTI report, Chandigarh has allegedly undercounted its Covid-19 deaths by 45 percent. Data from crematoriums showed a total of 1,695 city residents Covid and non-Covid — died during April and May, 59% more than the pre-Covid times. Those prophylactic Covid Deaths are on Chandigarh Administration, all those families are calling on the Shraadh of their lost ones.
Many of them still seeking justice from the administration. Some died while shifting to another government facility in lack of oxygen supply in ambulances and some died in lack of bed availability and some died of excess private hospital fees. Some strived hard for oxygen concentrators and some died in wait of ventilator bed. All these families are worshipping Shraadh asking for peace for their lost loved ones.
Talking about Patiala Rajindra Hospital, a daughter Sarakshi Jindal recalling her mother’s death said, “ I kept crying before doctors to please put my mom on oxygen, her saturation was falling drastically. She was put on oxygen by 7:30 PM and she died at 10:59 PM but doctors of Rajindra Hospital told me that my mom died in the Morning. One of my friends was in Nursing staff, she told me that my mom was put on that oxygen cylinder that finished after half an hour of usage.” Jindal inconsolably exhorted further, “My mom died on 18 Sep 2020 when there was no such deprivation of Oxygen or medicines, even then, my mom died of lackadaisical approach of doctors of Rajindra Hospital. I am doing her Shraadh and praying for her peace”.
Bharti Bisht Sood of Chandigarh whose Brother Rajesh 46 years died due to non supply of oxygen in the ambulance while shifting to GMCH 32. His wife Manju, who kept his chest for 90 minutes didn’t get any medical support in an emergency of GMCH 32. Bharti while recalling the nightmare said, “I lost my brother, my nephew who is just 7 years old lost his world. The Administration is giving Rs 5000 to my nephew till he ages 18 under the scheme Parvarish, and we received only one receipt of it in September. But does it give justice to my family? Would just Rs 5000 run a family, secures future of my Bhabhi and nephew?”.
Karan Thapar, a 12-year-old child while recalling the day when his mom demised due to the unavailability of a Ventilator Bed in the Government and non-government hospital of Ludhiana, said, “I wish mom checks my tiffin again, wake me again up in the morning for School. This year when Dad and I all worshipped for her shraadh, I got to know what shraadh means. She dies last year in December, we all were positive but only mom got serious and within some hours she passed away due to lack of ventilator bed”.
