Universities support India’s fight against Covid-19

We are worried for the safety of our loved ones while many of our friends witness the dire situation unfold in person.

Veera Sasidharan, Vice President of the Bristol Indian Society at University of Bristol.

As the pandemic situation in India is not improving, the young Indian students studying abroad decided to support the Ekta Initiative. Ekta can be translated as oneness or unity and that is why the young Indians abroad come together to help their home country by fundraising to supply oxygen to people who need it the most.

The initiative is made up of students representing Indian and South Asian societies at universities worldwide, from Europe to Asia to Australia.

This inter-university fundraiser has been joined by many students in the UK from Oxford University, University of Edinburgh and many more. Veera Sasidharan, Vice President of the Bristol Indian Society at University of Bristol said: “As we sit miles away from our home, worried for the safety of our loved ones while many of our friends witness the dire situation unfold in person, the urge to help is now as strong as ever.” 

The aim is to raise funds for two organisations based in India, The Hemkunt Foundation and Mission Oxygen.

Hemkunt Foundation has been working to provide material support, relief of disasters and access to education and basic human rights to those in need. In support of the pandemic, the organization is collecting funds for Oxygen cylinders to be distributed in hospitals.  

Mission Oxygen (Democracy People Foundation) have started fundraisers to donate Oxygen Equipment to hospitals, nursing homes and medical care facilities.

Many global universities have had strong ties with India for many years and the Indian international students contributed to the research, learning and communities of these institutions.