KEASBEY, NJ (TIP): The Federation of Indian Associations of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut (FIA-NY NJ CT) has once again proved its commitment to serve its motherland India in times of need. The federation recently shipped nine containers of Oximeters, Rescuation bags, medical cargo, and two shipments of 350 ventilators and its supplies via Air India donated by the City of New York, to India as the country prepares for a likely third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The cargo, which comprises •300 – Hamilton T1 Ventilators•3000 -Ventilator circuits•3000 – Ventilator Filters•3000 – Ventilator Flow Sensors•3000 – Ventilator Expiratory Valves60 – Ventilator Battery Calibrator with cords•50 – Philips Trilogy 100 Portable Ventilators•310,176 – Pulse Oximeters•1000Sunmed Rescuation Bags was compiled at the warehouse, packaged, labeled and shipped with the help of a partnered transporter and freight forwarders all of which was coordinated and executed by FIA and sponsored by FIA donors. The cargo is headed to Delhi and Mumbai. FIA had arranged for a see-off at the warehouse in Keasbey, NJ to allow for the sponsors and donors to personally see the packaging and loading of the cargo into the containers from the warehouse.
Besides the executive and board members of FIA, in attendance was Deputy Consul General of New York Shatrughna Sinha who took inventory of the shipment. He praised the efforts of FIA in taking charge of the cargo and handling the logistics for its timely shipment and thanked the City of New York, Maersk Air India and all the sponsors for their contributions.
Parveen Bansal, general secretary and executive committee member of FIA Tristate who was appointed to lead the logistical efforts, said, “It is a privilege to be part of such an unprecedented relief effort and to serve our motherland”.
Prabir Roy, the senior-most FIA board member in attendance, said, “The successful engagement of FIA in seeing this medical cargo through has turned the page in its history and made a statement with its work in service of the motherland.”
FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya applauded the efforts of the City of New York, Hon. Mayor Bill De Blasio and his team, Jennifer Geiling from the Mayor’s office, Consul General-New York Randhir Jaiswal, DCG Shatrughna Sinha and the India team including Diwakar Mittal from NITI Aayog, Prime Minister’s Office, Red Cross India, besides sponsors including FIA President Anil Bansal, Kenny Desai, Board Member Prabir Roy, Executive Committee member Mahesh Dubal, Board Member Anand Patel. He also expressed his gratitude towards executive members Haresh Shah, Saurin Parikh and Alok Kumar.
Why the assistance
India battled a disastrous second wave of Covid-19 in the months of April and May. While the situation has eased for now, health experts have already warned of a possible third wave of the pandemic in the country in coming weeks. Several lives were lost during the second wave because of shortage of medical equipment. FIA hopes to help the Indian government with its efforts to ensure adequate availability of essential medical equipment ahead of the third wave.
(Based on a press release)