Mumbra building collapse: Help at hand

07 April,2013 05:29 AM IST |   |  Richa Pinto

Locals offer food to rescue personnel and evacuated families


Human spirit always comes to the fore in times of crisis. In thewake of the building collapse at Mumbra, this was clearly evident as volunteers came forward to provide water and food to rescue personnel who were toiling hard to save as many lives as possible from the debris. Families from the opposite building, which was demolished, were also provided with a few basic food items by nearby locals who voluntarily came ahead to help.

One such samaritan, Mohammad Shaqkat Shaikh, 43, was seen distributing biscuits to the evacuated families. When SUNDAY MiD DAY asked him why he had offered help, he reminisced, "Nine years ago, when I lived in a slum in Dharavi, our home was demolished. We had no place to go.

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Today, fortunately, I can afford basic necessities for my home. When I learnt about the plight of these people, those memories came back and I felt the need to reach out to them in whatever way I could." Shaikh, who is a site supervisor at a pickle plant in Shilphata, had brought along with him at least three bags of biscuits to be given out to those in need.

He, however, was not alone. Shabnam Shaikh, a member of Awami Vikas party, too was seen distributing food and water free of cost to the rescue personnel. She said, "The rescue personnel have been doing their work relentlessly. It's our duty to help them in every possible way."u00a0

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