#113 - Maharashtra Day Special: Pune United Against Pandemic | Sudhir Mehta | Amit Paranjape

Published: May 1, 2021, 12:40 p.m.

Pune Platform for Covid Relief (PPCR) is an industry led initiative in  Pune, to help augment the medical infrastructure of the city, which was  the epicentre of Wave 1 of the pandemic and is also hit hard in Wave 2.  PPCR is supported by the Maharatta Chambers of Commerce, Industry and  Agriculture (MCCIA) and its members diligently. PPCR is only  supplementary to the administration's efforts and does not seek to  replace any government-led initiatives.   The companies of Pune have raised resources to make Pune the city with  the highest number of ventilators in the country. Mission Vayu was set  up by PPCR to ensure that the city gets an adequate supply of oxygen and  related equipment. Donors from various countries in the world have come  together to collect 30 crores with which PPCR is importing equipment  from various countries like Singapore, Israel and UK.  PPCR has also set up an online facility where donors can collect money  for their own cities in Maharashtra. These funds will be used to augment  medical infrastructure in specific cities. PPCR is hand-holding various  cities in this process.   We spoke to Sudhir Mehta, President MCCIA and the force behind PPCR and  Amit Paranjape, member, MCCIA and active participant in PPCR to  understand the details of Pune's fight against Covid-19. May 1 is  Maharashtra Day and this discussion becomes even more relevant on how  citizen efforts can come together to undertake civic responsibilities.