Students from IITs, IIMs and NITs launch an online platform for those in need during the lockdown

A group of students from different IITs, NITs, and IIMs have come together and launched an online platform called 'Sahyog' to help those in need during the lockdown due to coronavirus. Apart from launching an online platform, the students and alumni from the three institutes have also started a toll free no to assist stranded workers, homeless, migrants, and those in need to combat with the situation arisen by COVID-19 epidemic.
Vikrant Singh, a PhD student from IIT Guwahati, shares, "We wanted to do something for the society during this period. We were discussing among our 11 core members and we noticed that there is a gap between those who are ready to help and those in need. And there was no common platform from where those wanting to help could identify these people."
Gaurav Kumar Singh, alumnus of IIT Guwahati and IIM Bangalore, adds, "Through our platform, we are filling this mapping gap so that people can contact us directly about their whereabouts and the kind of help they need. We have our toll free number, we take their information and then we see the groups that are working in that area from our database since we have 40 NGOs working with us. Then, that particular organisation takes it forward."
The team is currently working in UP, Bihar and Jharkhand and is connected with 600 students who are working as volunteers. "The platform is currently available in Hindi but we are trying to make it multi-lingual. Apart from calling us on the toll free number, people can also fill an online form on our webpage and give us their details. The kind of requests that we have been getting is travel related, and for the need of groceries and medicines," adds Gaurav.