students

Savitribai Phule Pune University

National Service Scheme

Sneha Dhatrak has helped the Holkars shop for grocery through mobile apps

College

Science

The collective confinement of the city has come with its own set of problems, disabling many from stepping out of their homes to purchase essentials. This large gap is now being bridged by theof(SPPU) — particularly those from(NSS) — who have adopted unaided families around them. These youngsters run all sorts of essential errands for them, be it delivering medicines or groceries to their doorsteps.The varsity, which has approved this initiative, has asked its students to look after families in the vicinity itself so as to not breach the social distancing norms. Along with this diktat, the authorities are also drawing up a list of helpers in Pune, Nashik and Ahmednagar — it will be submitted to the cops who can then allow students to undertake the essential tasks.The youngsters have already started helping people in need. Sneha Dhatrak, a final-year mechanical engineering student from Pimpri-Chinchwadof Engineering, Nigdi, has adopted 10 families in her vicinity. “Apart from scoring the essentials, I am helping them pay their bills online and also teaching them to work out various mobile apps,” she said.At Daund, Amit Kokre of Ness Wadia College, too, has identified 10 houses mostly with senior citizens. “One cannot expect them to stand in queues. Thus, I help them by shopping items in accordance with their list,” he said.Aniket Bansode, a BA student of Modern College of Arts, Commerce and, Shivajinagar, said, “We have helped them stock up for a few days. If they need anything over the week, they can inform us and we will carry out the task.”SPPU has assured aid to students who are looking after families, informed Pratik Gaikwad, a second-year student of the varsity’s history department. “The authorities will secure permission from cops so that I can continue helping people manage their medical conditions,” he said.The assistance has turned out to be a boon for many locals. For instance, Ranjana Holkar — a resident of Nigdi who is being helped by Sneha, said, “We had no clue about the mobile applications to be used for payments. Shweta guided us through them.”Sneha has also shown the utility of mobile app to 65-year-old Shitabai Mhalge, who stays in Nigdi. “Sneha taught us to order groceries online and has also assured help in procuring medicines,” she said.Likewise, Popat Thorat from Daund who is being aided by Amit, said, “He has extended help in case we need anything. They informed us about their project. We are glad they are of our assistance.”To reinforce the initiative, SPPU is drawing up a list of students who could help more families. They will be appended to the battalion of 1,000 youngsters who are already taking care of families in their neighbourhoods. Moreover, social distancing has been underscored by the authorities by asking these youngsters to step out once a week.Prabhakar Desai, director of NSS unit who is coordinating this initiative, said, “We want to reach more families, but at the same time, do not want to compromise the lockdown norms. Students, who are catering to families in their hometowns, have been asked to make masks at home which can be distributed among people.”The varsity plans to extend the adoption initiative beyond the lockdown period, for at least six months, since the authorities believe that senior citizens might still need help.