NewsClick

NewsClick
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Covid-19
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • International
  • Sports
  • Articles
  • Videos
search
menu

SUBSCRIBE AND SUPPORT

image/svg+xml
  • All Articles
  • Newsclick Articles
  • All Videos
  • Newsclick Videos
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • Sports
  • International
  • Africa
  • Latin America
  • Palestine
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • US
  • West Asia
About us
Grievance Redressal Mechanism
Newsletter
Facebook - Newsclick Twitter - Newsclick Instagram - Newsclick Youtube - Newsclick RSS - Newsclick
close menu
×
You deserve independent, critical media. Subscribe and Support
Politics
India

Red Volunteer Movement in West Bengal

Even though the state government failed to aid people, Red Volunteers worked tirelessly to help the citizens through different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and cyclone Amphan.
Abin Mitra
27 Apr 2022
red volunteer

Kolkata: VI Lenin's birthday on April 22 is observed as the Red Volunteers Day. Across West Bengal, Red Volunteers celebrated the day by organising blood donation and free health check-up camps, flag-hoisting events, cultural programs, documentary screenings, etc. Tree plantation and 'make it plastic-free area' programs were also held in several places.

Some volunteers took to social media to educate people about the benefits of sanitation and hygiene. In one of the posts, a volunteer outlined how the Red Volunteer teams helped people during the various waves of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing home-cooked meals, medicines, oxygen cylinders, etc.

"Let us remember and pay our respects to our fellows and friends, comrades-in-arms who have sacrificed their precious lives while standing by the side of helpless citizens. We are Red Volunteers, proudly," the post read.

People of the state also acknowledged the efforts of the Red Volunteers. One person wrote, "Today is Red Volunteers Day. Red volunteers mean the hope of survival. Today the whole country is looking for you. Hats off to you people. I wish you more success and wish you all the best. I will be with you always, no matter what situation comes. More power to you people."

COVID-19 struck India in the early month of 2020. The Union government announced a nationwide lockdown in the latter half of March 2020. As the lockdown was announced, several Red Volunteer teams were formed in different parts of West Bengal, which helped citizens during the first wave of the pandemic.

Before the second wave hit the state in April-May 2021, the Amphan cyclone caused devastation in North Bengal, disrupting the entire infrastructure in the region. The situation worsened further with the second wave. At the time, thousands of young people and students worked on the ground to help those affected by the cyclone and COVID-19. Red Volunteer teams were critical in helping with the relief efforts, often arriving at the doorsteps of COVID patients with oxygen cylinders and medicines.

The teams were formed on block and panchayat levels and composed of Left activists, primarily the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) members. Red Volunteers used social media, particularly Facebook, to mobilise people and coordinate resources.

Such was the support for their efforts that the members of a Facebook group called Red Volunteers increased from 8,000 to 80,000 in a week. At present, the group has around 1,35,000 members. As the volunteers were scattered across the state, social media helped them connect and reach out to common people.

Throughout the second wave, volunteers received messages from people who required immediate help. Volunteers worked tirelessly and provided masks, PPE kits, medicines, financial aids, etc. In many regions, initiatives such as Sramajibi canteen, free clinic and blood test camps, Sramajibi market, cab service, etc., were undertaken. Even after the defeat of the Left front in the state Assembly elections in May 2021, the support for Red Volunteers increased. Their efforts were not only acknowledged on social media, people also praised them at tea stalls, markets and other public places.

Even as the COVID-19 situation eased, Red Volunteers continue to help people with neighbourhood blood-donation camps, cloth distribution, educational material, etc. Some initiatives got halted due to a lack of funds, but things like Sramajibi canteens, free blood test centres and free health check-up clinics continue.

The crumbling health infrastructure in the state is proving detrimental to the poor and marginalised people. In such a situation, one expects the state government to come to the aid of the people, but this hasn't been the case. The government's dereliction of duty will not be forgotten. People will also not forget how Red Volunteers continue to help people, fight for their rights, work for the environment, etc. Red Volunteers are determined to be there whenever people need help.

Abin Mitra is an activist who has been one of the primary coordinators of the Red Volunteer movement in West Bengal.

Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.
Red Volunteers
Left Activists
West Bengal
TMC
CPIM
Cyclone
COVID-19
Related Stories
Chennai, June 03 (ANI): Health workers inspect passengers arriving from high risk countries for MonkeyPox symptoms, at Chennai International Airport, on Friday.

Will Monkeypox Outbreak Replay AIDS and Covid-19 Script?

A massive demonstration organised by DYFI Thiruvananthapuram District Committee

Kerala: Bomb Hurled at CPI-M State Headquarters, Protests Erupt Across State

sfi

WB: SFI Calls for Rallies Against NEP Throughout Eastern India

HN School

Bengal: More Than 7000 primary Schools Disappeared in Last 10 Years, ABPTA Claims it's 'Intentional'

COVID cases in India

Active COVID-19 Cases in Country Cross One-Lakh Mark After 122 Days

mid day meal

Mid-Day Meal: Restoration Work in Progress Post-COVID, Stunting a Major Concern

Call for Action Against COVID-19 ‘Criminals’ Blocking Vaccine Patent Waiver

South Korea Approves First Homemade COVID-19 Vaccine

RBI Officers’ Association Seeks Review of Unified

RBI Paper Misinterpreting Reality, Kerala’s Public Spending Actually Fuelling Development, Say Experts

Bihar: Opposition Boycotts Monsoon Session As Speaker Disallows the Adjournment Motion on Agnipath

Bihar: Opp Boycotts Monsoon Session as Speaker Disallows Adjournment Motion on Agnipath

tripura

Tripura Witnesses Post Bypoll Violence Against Opposition Parties

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share
You deserve independent, critical media. We want readers like you. Support independent, critical media. Subscribe to Newsclick.

Subscribe and Support


Latest

  • Labour rights in Bangladesh

    ‘Workers’ Minimum Rights not Guaranteed in Bangladesh’, Global Report Finds

  • Bihar flood.

    Bihar: Flood-like Situation in Many Districts due to Heavy Rainfall

  • Media Censorship: Turkey Blocks Access to Deutsche Welle, Voice of America

    Media Censorship: Turkey Blocks Access to Deutsche Welle, Voice of America

  • India Manufacturing

    India’s Manufacturing Activity Slumps to 9-Month Low in June Amid Acute Price Pressure

  • Load More
Newsletter
About us
Grievance Redressal Mechanism