Fortis Charitable Foundation extends a helping hand as Bangalore Queues up for Cash

Around 40 volunteers reached out to more than 3200 people with water, eatables and medication
Bengaluru: To support the national agenda set by the Prime Minister of India following the demonetization, Fortis Charitable Foundation, under its SEWA initiative, extended a helping hand to citizens queuing up at various banks and ATMs across the city. Through this SEWA, volunteers of the Foundation, along with volunteers from Fortis Hospitals and other partner organisations of the Foundation, offered water, eatables, medication and other assistance to over 3,200 people across Bangalore.

More than 40 volunteers, including doctors & nurses, formed teams with 5-6 members each to drive this initiative. The volunteers came from Fortis Hospitals Bannerghatta, Cunningham Road, Nagarbhavi, Rajajinagar and other partner organizations of Fortis Foundation. The groups offered mineral water bottles, juices, biscuits, medication and first aid kits to the public standing at ATMs & Banks. The volunteers reached out to people in as many as 40 ATMs, Bank branches and Post Offices across the city. Refreshments were offered wherever needed with priority given to women, children and senior citizens.

A Bank employee of Bannerghatta raod, Bangalore, Mr Manjunath said “Fortis Foundation reached and offered refreshment outside our branch and it is indeed a heartwarming initiative undertaken by Fortis Foundation to provide refreshment to people waiting at these queues. While we are really happy at the step taken by the government, this comes as a relief for all of us as we extend support to government’s effort to arrest corruption.”

Mr Jasbir Grewal, Head, Fortis Foundation said, “The massive step undertaken by the government to demonetize high denomination note is a welcome step towards curbing black money. People have responded positively towards this initiative and accepting the initial hardship due to long queues at ATMs, Banks & Post Offices. Our volunteers reached out to people standing in long queues, as well as the committed and hardworking banking staff, with water, eatables, medication & other assistance. We hope that this has helped people and contributed to their resolve to support government’s valiant effort to weed out corruption. We will remain committed to carry this ‘Sewa’ till the situation normalize.”