India and ISL footballer Subhashish doing his bit for the needy in his hometown
Kolkata: If CK Vineeth is operating the Covid19 helpline in Kerala, his Indian teammate Subhashish Bose has taken it upon himself to feed the homeless and jobless in his home town Subhasgram in South 24 parganas.
Amid the nationwide lockdown, a long queue of local rickshaw pullers, daily wage earners or small time hawkers who come to collect their daily ration distributed by government in Subhasgram.
Bose, a member of the 'Blue Tigers' would be at the other end, distributing packets containing rice, pulses, potatoes, onions and other staple food items. This is his way of paying back to the society.
"There are the rickshaw pullers who have so many times offered me free rides to-and-fro local matches, those vendors and shopkeepers who had gifted me so many free packets of food after heart-warming performances. I felt I needed to pay them back," the India left-back told PTI of his daily regime since Friday.
"It is so satisfying to hand over some food items to so many known faces whom I have known in my locality while growing up," said Mumbai FC's Subhashish.
India imposed a nationwide lockdown since March 24 to curb the spread of Covid19 pandemic and the worst-hit were people from the lower strata of the society whose lives are built around their daily wages.
Apparently, the 24-year old Subashish felt restless one morning and was awakened by the Swami Vivekananda's soul-stirring words 'Arise, Awake, And Stop Not Till the Goal is Reached!'
"It kept reverberating in my ears. My conscience did not allow me to shy away. Rather it kept on pushing me to give it back to the society where I have grown up."
"It's understandable that even as we need to Stay Home Stay Safe, there are so many bravehearts who care less for their lives, and are out to serve the country in this troubled time -- the doctors, nurses, cleaners, police, journalists, etc.
It's not just the duty of frontline workers to put their lives on the line but even citizens need to do their bit," reckons Bose.
He is thankful to God that he has made a decent living as a footballer playing in the cash-rich Indian Super League and for the Indian team.
"God is kind that today I am able to help them. Thank you, Lord for providing me with the strength. All of them whom I handed over packets wanted to hug me but couldn't because of the social distancing.
"Some of them had tears in their eyes. Their hugs can wait as we need normalcy to return. Till then stay home, and stay safe," he added.
Asked whether he's missing the game, he replied: "Human lives are of utmost importance, and like everyone around us, I look forward for normalcy to return soon."
