Mumbai: Good Samaritan steps out to help again during current COVID-19 restrictions

Mauris Noronha gives a ration kit to an auto driver. Pic/Satej Shinde

Borivli resident Mauris Noronha has once again gone out of his way to help the needy during the current COVID-19 restrictions. He had done so during the lockdown in 2020 and this time, besides distributing ration kits to people, he is also paying for refilling the LPG cylinders of 300 families and purchasing food from almost 170 street vendors to help them, and also to give it to those in need.

‘People are helpless'

The 45-year-old businessman and philanthropist, who moved back from the US before the lockdown in 2020, pays for everything himself. He said, "I hadn't stopped my social work, but when the second wave started and the restrictions were put in place, I stepped out again to help, with some friends." Noronha feels the restrictions impact society and people are helpless.

Giving an LPG cylinder to a resident of Shivaji Nagar near Borivli

He said he decided to purchase vada pav and sandwiches from street vendors from Jogeshwari to Mira Road so that they could continue to earn. He distributes the vada pav and sandwiches for free to slum dwellers and others in need. "I appealed on social media to vendors saying I will buy vada pav at the rate of Rs 10 for each and sandwiches at the rate of Rs 15 each from them. My friends also go to chawls and slums from Worli to Mira-Bhayander and give the poor daily and weekly rations of grains for free. We also give vegetables, medicines for infants and elderly citizens, sanitisers, masks and PPE kits to ambulance staff, BEST as well as police and help housemaids and watchmen of housing societies," Noronha said.

Mauris Noronha, businessman, philanthropist

Thinking of others

But Noronha also realised another section of society needs help. He said, "I will distribute ration kits to 250 auto drivers also, as due to the restrictions, many have not been able to work. I have already distributed ration kits containing rice, daal, masala, oil, etc, - enough to last 10-12 days for four people - among the needy. We have also started paying for LPG cylinders of 300 people, including senior citizens, widows, and the physically challenged."