“However, as everyone who came to the hospital insisted on donating blood, their names were added to a list of people who could be contacted in case there was a need for blood. The list now has the names of over 2,500 residents, all willing to be at the hospital at any time of day or night,” he adds.

A group of students and residents also came forward to offer services like transportation of dead bodies. Many could be seen outside the mortuary and the emergency ward, offering their personal vehicles for the grieving families.

The Muslim community leaders also pitched in. The Shanti Samiti, a committee formed by the local administration after the last riots in the city to maintain communal harmony in the Muslim-dominated Ramganj area, prepared a list of young volunteers who were ready to donate blood and offer any other help required.

“As soon as we heard about the incident, we prepared a list of volunteers from the area and asked the local administration to permit us to move to the hospital during curfew to let us help with the relief work. We will never let the terrorists’ plan to disturb communal peace succeed,” says Abdul Qadir, a member of the Samiti.

And help continues to pour in even four days after the blasts. Stalls have been set up outside the SMS Hospital to distribute free packets of necessary items for relatives of the injured. Organisations like the RSS and Dera Sacha Sauda have also come forward to help the needy.

... contd.