'I am a journalist, please give me food': COVID-19 positive Assam journalist's appeal will break your heart

'I am a journalist, please give me food': COVID-19 positive Assam journalist's appeal will break your heart

Saika has raised his voice against the irregularities in food distribution among the inhabitants of containment zones.

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Friday, July 17, 2020, 02:41 PM IST
article-image
Kalpajyoti Saika: Photo by Northeast Now

A journalist from Assam who tested positive for COVID-19 is living his worst nightmare. Kalpajyoti Saika, who works for Northeast Now is a resident of Guwahati.

Saika has raised his voice against the irregularities in food distribution among the inhabitants of containment zones.

Saika had his test done after four of his neighbours tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The state health department informed him six days later that he had also tested positive.

The following day he was taken to the Ayurvedic Medical College Hospital at Jalukbari and treated for five days. After conducting antigen test he was ruled out as negative, and was sent back to his residence for a 14-day home quarantine.

His roommate, who also tested positive and was treated at IIT-Guwahati, was sent back with ration. However, Saika and his brother did not get any supplies.

He called the emergency helpline, which forwarded his complaint. His roommate shared some of his ration with Saika, but regardless there was shortage and more than a week to cover.

Despite making calls to the health department, asking for food, there was no help. Eventually they asked him to contact the local police station.

He states, “I tried to contact Dispur Police Station and the officer-in-charge Pradip Talukdar. But there was no response. On the sixth day of home quarantine, I desperately contacted additional commissioner of police at Dispur Police Station, Himanshu Prasad Das. He asked me to send my residential address through text message. I did accordingly. However, 24 hours have passed since then, and I am yet to receive any help."

Seven days down, seven more to go, and the ration is exhausted. Saika maintains that there is no food and would have starved if it weren’t for his roommate.

“We cannot move out as it will be against the guidelines set by the government. Moreover, our house is also sealed. We are in a helpless situation.”

“At the end, I again appeal to the state Health department, I am a patient in home quarantine. Please give me food,” concluded Saika in his first hand report.

RECENT STORIES

Ujjwal Nikam Among Four Eminent Personalities Nominated To Rajya Sabha By President Murmu

Ujjwal Nikam Among Four Eminent Personalities Nominated To Rajya Sabha By President Murmu

Jaipur Revives 250-Year-Old Royal Tradition With Feast For 50,000 At ₹20 Each

Jaipur Revives 250-Year-Old Royal Tradition With Feast For 50,000 At ₹20 Each

Bulandshahr Viral VIDEO: Woman Claims BJP Leader Rahul Balmiki’s Pants Were Forcibly Removed, Both...

Bulandshahr Viral VIDEO: Woman Claims BJP Leader Rahul Balmiki’s Pants Were Forcibly Removed, Both...

ISS: 'Even Today, India Looks Saare Jahan Se Accha,' Says Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla In Axiom-4...

ISS: 'Even Today, India Looks Saare Jahan Se Accha,' Says Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla In Axiom-4...

Sikkim State Lottery Result: July 13, 2025, 6 PM Live - Watch Streaming Of Winners List Of Dear...

Sikkim State Lottery Result: July 13, 2025, 6 PM Live - Watch Streaming Of Winners List Of Dear...