Fortis Charitable Foundation extends a helping hand as India queues up for cash

To support the national agenda set by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi following demonetisation, Fortis Charitable Foundation, under its SEWA initiative, extended a helping hand to citizens queuing up at various banks and ATMs by offering water, eatables, medication and other assistance to over 50,330 people across India.

More than 600 volunteers, including doctors & nurses, formed teams with 5-6 members each to drive this initiative.

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 1100 ATMs, Bank branches and Post Offices across the country.

Refreshments were offered wherever needed with priority given to women, children and senior citizens.

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," he added.

A resident of Vasant Kunj in Delhi, Manoj Gupta was waiting at an ATM when Fortis Foundation reached and offered refreshment. He said, "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 SEWA comes as a relief for all of us as we extend support to government's effort to arrest corruption.