Don’t have words to express my gratitude: Athlete Jyoti
| Date :11-May-2020 |
City’s international athlete Jyoti Chavan (L) with her family
members at her Panchasheel Nagar residence.
Principal Correspondent :
City’s international athlete Jyoti Chavan overwhelmed with help from citizens
“I have no words to express my gratitude,” said Jyoti Chavan, after she received ration and financial help from several citizens, policemen and the civic body. In this trying time that has disrupted normal life, the family of city’s international athlete, Jyoti, too, was finding it difficult to make ends meet and had to stand in long queues for two square meals every day.
Extending helping hands, good Samaritans of the city came forward to help the Chavan family on Saturday as well as on Sunday. “We now have at least two months’ ration,” said Jyoti in a voice filled with happiness. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced a nation-wide lockdown since more than a month, has made life miserable for one and all. ‘The Hitavada’, in its Saturday’s edition, had reported the plight of the Chavan family who had to stand in queue for food packets. Embarrassed over facing this situation, long distance (Steeplechase) runner Jyoti could not herself stand in the queue but instead, sent her mother and sister. On Saturday and Sunday, officials of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, several policemen, citizens and former athletes visited Jyoti’s house in Panchasheel Nagar in Isasani, some 14 kms in the outskirts of the city, and handed over ration. “I can’t express my feelings.
I am really grateful to all those who have helped me in this hour of need. They are all God-send. I am highly indebted,” 25-year-old Jyoti told ‘The Hitavada’. “I thank all of them from the bottom of my heart. My parents also want to thank all those who came forward and helped us. We are in a better situation now,” said Jyoti. Not only ration, several citizens handed over cash to Jyoti for the family’s day-to-day needs. “Some of them also gave me cash and a few also deposited money in my bank account. They also assured me to help me in my training. I am highly obliged,” said Jyoti. Jyoti’s father, Jangbahadur, is a mechanic but has no work since lockdown was imposed in the city.
They managed for a few days with their meagre savings. Jyoti, who was part of the Indian team at World University Games in Italy last year, too, spent all her reward money feeding her family. After all the savings evaporated, the family members had no other option but to stand in queues for food. After the news of their plight was published in ‘The Hitavada’, NMC Sports Officer Piyush Ambulkar immediately contacted the Chavan family and assured help. Ambulkar visited Jyoti’s house and handed over ration to the family. Many other Nagpurians, too, helped the family. Ambulkar also assured assistance to the family in future too. He also said the civic body is ready to help all such sportspersons in need. Jyoti, who is jobless, was also assured help in getting a decent job once the lockdown ends. She has applied for sports quota job in CISF, Customs, Indian Railways but is yet to receive any communication. Ambulkar said he will definitely talk to a few friends in Railways department and try to get Jyoti a job. “I will try to talk with my contacts in Railways and ask them to speed up her matter once the lockdown ends. She has applied for a job in sports quota and I will try my level best,” said Ambulkar.