Ankur Agnihotri is a graduating Y20 M.tech student from the Department of Material Science and Engineering. In the fourth edition of As We Leave, he recounts the creation of the Quick Response Team and how it was a cornerstone of IITK’s response to COVID-19
Disclaimer:- The views presented below are the author’s own and are not in any manner representative of the views of Vox Populi as a body or IIT Kanpur in general. This is an informal account of the author’s experiences at IIT-K.
Upon my arrival at IIT Kanpur, I eagerly anticipated a plethora of novel experiences. However, the unforeseen emergence of COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on our collective consciousness. In the midst of those challenging moments, my thoughts often turned to the students, professors, workers, and countless others who found themselves confined to the campus. As a student at IITK, I came to the realization that it was our responsibility to help our community during these challenging times. In light of the pandemic, a group known as the “Quick Response Team” was established.
As I leave, I would like to put forward the story of our team.
The Formation of the Quick Response Team
In the early days of the pandemic, amidst the chaos and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, a collective of individuals with a strong sense of purpose came together to form the Quick Response Team.
Comprising a dedicated team including Shivam Nigam, Rajnessh Dubey, Anshika Singh, Kamini Singh, Surbhi Gupta, Shivam Trivedi, Amarjeet Kene, Rishabh Katiyar, Yash, Shambhavi, Nitin Chokhat, Sraddha, Vaibhav, Aman, Rishikesh Mishra, and Rajat Gupta, our united mission was to aid and serve those facing the challenges presented by this unprecedented situation.
Driven by a shared passion for the welfare of our community, we tirelessly worked to provide assistance and guidance to individuals in need. Together, we sought to bring clarity amidst the confusion and lend a helping hand during these trying times.
Activities of the Quick Response Team
Our Quick Response Team demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to serving the IITK community during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our relentless efforts aimed to provide immediate support and assistance to those in need, showcasing our unwavering dedication and selflessness.
One of the team’s core activities was actively monitoring the “COVID Emergencies in IITK” telegram group, where we promptly responded to emergency requests. Our swift action in providing accurate and up-to-date information regarding the availability of vital resources such as oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, and medicines proved invaluable in helping individuals access the necessary healthcare they required.
Recognizing the significance of information dissemination, we developed a chatbot that effectively addressed people’s queries about COVID-19. This initiative not only alleviated concerns but also empowered individuals with reliable information, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
The team’s proactive approach extended to facilitating plasma and blood donations, emphasizing the importance of these life-saving contributions. By raising awareness and organizing donation drives, we played a vital role in connecting potential donors with recipients in need, thereby fostering a sense of unity and compassion within the community.
Understanding the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals, the Quick Response Team undertook the crucial responsibility of door-to-door meal delivery. Our compassionate act ensured that those unable to procure essential sustenance were not left without nourishment, showcasing our genuine concern for the well-being of each community member.
In addition to our on-the-ground efforts, our team developed online databases and resources that operated around the clock. By providing real-time updates and live assistance, we became a dependable source of information, offering vital support to those seeking guidance and aid.
Furthermore, our Quick Response Team extended financial assistance to individuals who were facing hardship due to the pandemic. Our timely and compassionate response to such situations had undoubtedly provided much-needed relief to those struggling, reaffirming our commitment to the well-being of the entire IITK community.
Division of Work and Achievements
As a team, we divided our work into different segments to ensure that we could provide comprehensive support to the community. The first group focused on developing websites[1] and chatbots[2]and updating the data regularly. The second group provided oxygen cylinders and hospital beds to COVID-19 patients. The third group focused on providing plasma and blood donations. The fourth group provided door-to-door meal delivery and delivered medicines and other health care items.
Our team achieved many milestones during the pandemic. We provided assistance to more than 2000 people, and we conducted over 500 consultations with doctors. We helped arrange 1200 oxygen cylinders and provided 1550 hospital beds to COVID-19 patients. We also provided plasma and blood donations to 255 people, and we delivered meals to 1500 households. Our team also conducted awareness drives about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. We organized online workshops on COVID-19-related topics and invited doctors to give talks and answer questions from the community. We also shared information about the government’s guidelines and protocols regarding COVID-19 and vaccination.
One of the major challenges we faced was the shortage of resources like oxygen cylinders and hospital beds. We worked tirelessly to find and provide verified resources to those in need. We also developed an oximeter library where people could borrow oximeters for home monitoring of oxygen levels. We provided financial assistance to those who were struggling due to the pandemic. We collaborated with various organizations and individuals to collect funds and distribute them to those in need. We also set up a support group for people in home isolation. Members of the group regularly checked on the health of the individuals in isolation and provided emotional support. We also provided counseling services to those who were struggling with mental health issues due to the pandemic.
As a team, we worked around the clock to ensure that the members of the IITK community had access to all the necessary resources and support during these difficult times. The encouraging comments and recognition we received from the community inspired us to do our best work.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone, and it has required a collective effort to overcome. Our Quick Response Team worked tirelessly to provide essential resources to people who needed them, and achieved many milestones. Our team’s efforts had a significant impact on the IITK community, and we hope that our work inspires others to step forward and help.
Dr Abhay Karandikar, Dr S.Ganesh, Dr Dipak Mazumdar, Dr Kantesh Balani, Dr Nitin, Dr Shudhanshu Shekhar Singh, Dr Gouthma, Dr Swaprava Nath, Dr Abhijit Pal, Dr Santanu Misra, Dr Rahul Mangal, Dr Shashank Shekhar, Dr Raju Gupta, Dr Richa ojha, Dr Saikat, Dr Shivam Tripathi, Dr Anshu Gaur, Dr Ashish Garg, Dr Satyadev Nandakumar, Dr Raghunath Tewari, Dr Anurag Gupta, Dr AK Singh, Dr. Swaprava Nath, Dr Sandeep Sangal, Rita Singh ma’am and Pooja Tripathi (Assistant commissioner, Kanpur) are individuals who played a significant role in supporting and motivating my team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their unwavering support and guidance were invaluable, and they provided much-needed motivation for my team to continue working towards our goal of helping the IITK community. They encouraged us to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Their trust in our abilities and their willingness to provide us with the necessary resources and support were crucial to our success. Their words of encouragement and appreciation gave us the confidence to keep going, even when things seemed overwhelming.
As I look back at our journey during the pandemic, we are grateful for the support and guidance provided by these individuals. We acknowledge and appreciate their contributions to our efforts, and we are honored to have had the opportunity to work with them.
I hope the Quick Response Team’s story becomes an inspiration for many. Our dedication and selflessness reminds people that even in the toughest of times, there were those willing to lend a hand and make a difference.
And so, the team’s legacy lives on—a testament to the power of ordinary individuals coming together to create extraordinary impact. We proved that a small group of dedicated people can change lives and bring hope when it’s needed most.
Written By: Ankur Agnihotri
Edited By: Zainab Fatima
