Voluntary Association for Social Upliftment (VASU) on April 20 distributed dry ration to about 80 artisans and their families who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdown.

The distribution was done from Kumligaon, Sipragaon, Samatigaon, Sulguri, Betasingh, Nirghini Kharugaon, of Ampati and from the villages of Mahendraganj, South West Garo Hills, Meghalaya.

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Along with ration and other edibles, the organisation also supplied soaps, detergents and other essential items.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a large segment of people is facing immense misery and suffering.

Members of NGO VASU distributing ration to people amid COVID-19 lockdown

The consequences of the pan-India lockdown have had a detrimental effect, especially on those belonging to the poorer sections of the society, migrant labourers, daily-wage earners, artisans and homeless.

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They are struggling to meet their daily survival needs, including essentials like food.

In a statement issued to the media, VASU stated, "Sadly, the very day we concluded the activity one of the donors, Ramendra Sarkar of Saptarshi Industries passed away."

"He was suffering from severe pneumonia and a fatal heart attack stopped his breath forever. He was admitted at the Apollo Hospitals, Guwahati," the statement added.

"We all will remember him as an extraordinary man with a penchant to support the less fortunate," the organisation further said.

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"We all mourn deeply his passing as he was a life of service, love, compassion and excellence. May he rest in peace," it added.

VASU is a registered NGO from Guwahati and it runs a training and production centre in apparel making in Mahendraganj and for Handloom Weaving centre in Kumligaon in South West Garo Hills.

The organisation's aim through these activities is to enhance livelihood opportunities and capacity building for the poor artisans.

In Meghalaya, COVID-19 has taken one life and infected 10 others so far and the state government has taken every possible ste[ to ensure the safety and well-being of the people.