Around midday on 23 September 2025, the day Kolkata was reeling from the effects of a deluge, one of our Zonal Coordinators received an urgent call from a member whose spouse, critically ill with cancer, required an oxygen cylinder immediately. The family already had support equipment at home, such as an oxygen setup, surgical bed, and air mattress, but the oxygen supply was running out.
The Zonal Coordinator quickly arranged for an ambulance to deliver a fresh cylinder. Unfortunately, the vehicle broke down midway due to severe waterlogging. On receiving this information, he immediately contacted another ambulance service provider. That vehicle too was forced to stop at Dover Lane, very close to the member’s residence.
Without hesitation, the Zonal Coordinator went straight to the spot, retrieved the oxygen cylinder, and, with the help of the ambulance staff, carried it on their shoulders through knee-deep water to ensure it reached the member’s home in time.
On his way back, he also responded to another request from a nearby member, delivering 5 litres of drinking water, as the area was facing power cuts and water shortages due to the heavy rains.
This episode reflects the unwavering dedication of our team, ensuring members’ needs are met, no matter the challenge.

Kudos to Team Support Elders!

Early in the morning of 23 September, around 4 a.m., our ZC Mr B. Das received a call from the attendant of our member Mr S. K. Gupta. Due to sudden torrential rain in Kolkata since midnight on 22 September, the ground-floor room of Mr Gupta’s two-storey house had filled with water, which was rising rapidly. Mr Gupta, being bed-bound, was unable to move on his own.
The attendant began to panic as the water reached the bed where Mr Gupta was lying. Mr Das immediately declared Code Yellow and sent on-duty MCA Mr G. C. Saha to the member’s house. Aware that Mr Gupta could not be lifted by one person alone, Mr Das also called for an ambulance and requested it to reach the location.
The ambulance struggled to get close to the house due to waterlogging, but the MCA’s arrival reassured the member and his anxious attendant that help was at hand. By the time the ambulance reached—after nearly half an hour—the room was under knee-deep water. With the assistance of two ambulance staff, the MCA, and the attendant, Mr Gupta was safely moved upstairs on a canvas stretcher, where the water could not reach him.
It was a troubling night for both the member and the attendant, but timely intervention ensured Mr Gupta’s safety.

Kudos to Team Support Elders!

Our Care Integrators (CI) are specially trained caregivers with proper certification, equipped with skills gained through training from various national and international organisations.
Ms Shyamali Roy has her scheduled CI special visit every Tuesday at 11 a.m. to the Durgapur residence of our member Mr M. C. Majumder. She takes an early morning train from Kolkata, completes her visit, and returns home by late evening.
23 September 2025 was no exception, though the entire city and its adjoining areas were badly affected by torrential rain the previous night, leaving Kolkata roads flooded. Knowing that the member eagerly awaits her weekly visit, she waded through knee-deep water, boarded a bus, and reached Howrah station. Almost all trains were cancelled due to severe waterlogging, but as her train was not marked cancelled, she waited and finally managed to board around 10 a.m.
Realising she would be late, she promptly requested a change to her scheduled dashboard time so that her work could be accurately recorded, and also informed the member, the regional representatives, and the Command-and-Control office (CNC) of her delayed arrival. She eventually reached the member’s house around 2:20 p.m., completed her duties, and caught a delayed return train. It was close to 10:45 p.m. when she finally reached home.
Her commitment ensured that the member received uninterrupted care despite inclement weather.

Kudos to Team Support Elders!

Residents of several high-rise complexes along the EM Bypass in Kolkata were severely affected by the recent heavy rains and waterlogging on 23 September 2025. At one such complex in South Kolkata, 17 of our members were confined to their flats for over two days without electricity, water, or food.
Zonal Coordinator Mr S. Panda took charge, ensuring drinking water, candles, bread, and fruits reached each member’s apartment. With lifts out of service due to the power outage, our Member Care Associates (MCAs) carried supplies up as high as the 7th, 8th, and even 10th floors.
Since power supply has still not been restored, Mr Panda and Regional Coach Mr M. Roy have also been collecting members’ cell phones, charging them at our office for 3–4 hours, and returning them so that members could remain in touch with their children, who are constantly checking on their well-being.
Although the situation has started to improve, the city continues to face power outages and food shortages, as shops and markets operate at limited capacity. Through this difficult time, the Support Elders team remains vigilant, resourceful, and fully committed to meeting the needs of our members.

Kudos to Team Support Elders!