By Gabriella Payne
India is in the midst of a crippling Covid-19 crisis and Cardinia’s Indian community are growing increasingly worried about their loved ones back home.
Over the last few weeks, daily infection rates have hit grim global milestones and people have died waiting for oxygen, as the country’s healthcare system is being stretched to breaking point.
On Thursday 22 April, India recorded the world’s highest daily tally of Covid-19 infections with a staggering 314,835 cases confirmed in a single day – but with testing facilities being pushed to their limits, the real number of cases is estimated to be much higher.
Now that the Australian government has paused all flights from India until mid-May, the Indian community here in Cardinia are filled with worry and feel there is little they can do to help, but are trying their best to stay positive.
This Friday 30 April, the Indian Australian Community Cooperative are holding a candlelight vigil at the James Bathe Pavilion in Pakenham and are inviting the wider community to come along and help pray for their home country.
Aanchal Mahajan Meshram, one of the founding members of the Indian Australian Community Cooperative, said that it would be great to see as many people as possible at the vigil on Friday night, no matter their religion.
“A lot of families are going through this emotional stress right now and all we can do is show that we are all in this together,” she said.
“A lot of people here have lost loved ones and can’t travel, and some haven’t seen their families in years.
You keep hearing about people passing away. So many parents have lost their lives and their kids are over here.
If you have neighbours, or if you know anyone from the Indian community, please reach out to them and see how they’re going.”
Ms Mahajan Meshram said that a vigil for the Indian crisis had been held at Federation Square in the city earlier in the week, but the Indian Australian Community Cooperative thought it was important to hold something locally, as many people weren’t able to make it.
She encouraged anyone who would like to come along to Friday’s 6pm vigil to bring a tea light candle with them on the night and said that everyone was welcome.
“All we can do at the moment is just pray for things to get better over there,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter where you belong to and which religion, if we can come together, light a candle and send some strength and positive vibes to the people in India, that would be great.”
The ‘prayers for India’ vigil will start at 6pm on Friday 30 April at the James Bathe Pavilion on Caversham Drive in Pakenham.
