The article was based on Chander Mohan Khanna, a city-based industrialist and a social worker who made an appeal to residents to pitch in to set up medicine banks and a laboratory for needy patients. 

Talking to Newsline, Major C D Soi, member of local NGO Masonic Organisation, said: “We want to create a medicine bank for needy patients so that they can get the required medicines. I am going to hold a meeting with Khanna to establish the medicine bank in our Sarabha Nagar office as many people in the area can donate medicines.” 

Meanwhile, Neelam Kapoor, an office-bearer of NGO Jaago, said: “Khanna is doing good work and our NGO wants to help him with establishing a laboratory at the civil hospital. I believe this will be of great help for needy patients.” Jaago works towards imparting education and medical facilities to the underprivileged.

Dr Devinder Pal Singh, who runs a dental clinic at Campa Cola Chowk, too, wants to help. “I will be happy to render my services for the medicine bank.”  

Khanna is, meanwhile, a satisfied man. “I received around a dozen calls from various residents today and met seven people at the civil hospital who are ready to serve the needy. All this has encouraged me to work for the cause of humanity,” he said. Khanna has been nursing poor patients at the civil hospital for the last 18 years.

“A few years ago, I prepared 10 medicine boxes and wanted to install them at different religious and public places, but I did not find any taker for the proposal, except the Raghunath Hospital in Agar Nagar. I have now established a medicine bank at the hospital. Medicines donated by people are collected and distributed to needy patients after consulting a doctor. I am very happy that people have come forward to join my mission. People who are unable to afford expensive tests can avail the benefit of this laboratory,” he added.

Khanna started this work in 1991 with the help of 25-odd friends, whom he inspired to donate Rs 500 per month for buying medicines for poor patients. “It was a group effort for 12 years and then I ventured out alone and took upon myself the task of donating and supplying medicines. Nearly four years ago, I came across businessman Raghubir Singh who is now a regular donator.”