Old Cottonian Ramesh David Sihna recently suffered a stroke at his home in Noida, needed immediate assistance which came forth swiftly and without delay via a network of OCs who have always been at the forefront in situations like this. Quick thinking, immediate collection and disbursement of funds, a personal touch, caring for the brotherhood are the hallmark of these dedicated OCs.
“This is the fourth time I have worked on something like this. The first was DeMellow…
The exchange of SOME emails between this network of OCs, who reacted immediately and reached into their pockets for the cause, are reproduced below.
Vijay has spear-headed several such assistance programs at a moments notice and succeeded each time, and several OCs who are in discussion to solidify / formalize / institutionalize such a scheme. Any suggestions and willingness to be a part of a support group are welcomed. The intent is to eventually formalize a Cottonians Contributory Assistance Scheme.
Here are some relevant emails reproduced, verbatim [in reverse chronological order]:
[OCA Webmaster/Editor]
On Sat, 11 Jul 2020 at 13:36, Vijay Khurana wrote:
Dear All,
I received a phone call this morning from Kanwar (Kuttu) Vijay Singh informing me that Ramesh Sinha suffered a stroke. Incidentally Kuttu Singh and Ramesh’s respective wives are sisters.
Ramesh is lying at home. It is difficult to shift him to a hospital unless he is tested for the coronavirus but more importantly the family has no funds. They have not paid the rent for the last few months in the Sector 108, Noida apartment that they currently occupy. Distress all over.
Ramesh initially refused to accept my call and when he did the conversation was brief. I would prefer not to dwell on other aspects but the fundamental fact that the man is hugely unwell. He is also asthmatic. He needs all the help we can deliver – and more. I would not venture to make any judgements on any other aspect except that we have a friend who is now in dire straits.
This is not a request to reconstruct his life but to restore his health. It is, to be plain, a humanitarian effort that I make an appeal for someone we have known for all our lives.
May I please request you all to contribute in any measure that you can. The funds collected will be handled by us directly in coordination with the OCA and accounts will be rendered.
Right now all we want to do is get Ramesh back on his feet. Please respond immediately so that we can then appropriate measures.
I look forward to your response indicating what you can contribute while I work out where the funds should be deposited and ensure their proper utilisation. It would be easiest to deposit it into his wife’s account but I think we need to monitor this more closely and ensure that the monies are employed for the purpose intended. I trust you concur.
Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing from you.
My thanks
Kind regards & Stay Safe
Sincerely
Vijay
On Sat, 11 Jul 2020 at 16:15, Vijay Khurana wrote:
Dear All,
You guys are terrific!! Thank you.
Neel Mehra who is coordinating this effort with me has witnessed a spontaneous response to the people he has approached. Several of you have called and would like to know where the funds should be sent.
Ramesh Sinha is currently stable after a doctor visited him this morning. We are not aware of the gravity of the stroke, whether it is major or minor, and until then no funds need be sent but thank you for responding with such alacrity. Truly appreciated.
The way this will work is that we will pay Ramesh’s medical bills directly when the need arises. The funds will be handled by two of three of us and I will be happy to render the accounts when that happens.
So, for the moment, please keep your funds on hold. I will be glad to request for them when the need arises.
Finally, you guys are truly amazing and I say “thank you”, “thank you” and “thank you” !!!
My thanks, yet again.
Warm regards
Sincerely,
Vijay
On Mon, 20 Jul 2020 at 11:14 AM, Vijay Khurana wrote:
Dear All,
This is further to my mail below.
First, Ramesh Sinha was examined by Dr Pandey at Prayag Hospital in Noida. The initial diagnosis indicates issues of blood pressure, blood sugar, rheumatism and asthma. A brain scan also indicates “blemishes”. This was expected since he continues to slur a bit. No hospitalisation is required at present and the patient is, in medical parlance, ambulatory. I am also unable to establish direct contact with Ramesh’s wife. Her phone is shut and their son has not responded. Whatever information I have obtained is from Kr Vijay Singh.
Meanwhile, I have a message from Partap Grewal informing me that he has remitted Can$ 1,000 for “Ramesh or any other OC” I am not sure whether we need these funds but I am not able to access them since the payment link is not hooked to any of the Indian Banks. Besides, no one needs these funds more than Partap himself. He is being most magnanimous.
Apart from Partap I have had direct interaction or third party inputs informing me that the following have indicated a desire to come forward with assistance:
RLV Nath
Ramesh Suthoo
Mohit Goyal
C M Kohli
Brandy Gill
Paraminder Singh
K S Dugal
Vinod Pawa
Arun Jolly
Bittu Sahgal
Inderjit Singh Badal
Govinder Singh
Davinder Singh Jaaj
Anupam Sachdev& apologies if I have missed out any name!!
The following have sent funds directly to Ramesh’s account
Rocky Chopra (Curzon, 1963)
Pranav Roach (Curzon,1980 )
Ashwani Nanda ( Ibbetson,1974 )
NarendraNandaYadav (Rivaz,1982)
Anil Puri (Ibbetson, 1975)
Sanjive Sood, (Lefroy, 1978)It is obvious that OC’s are open handed, generous and compassionate. I am also aware that the list above is not exhaustive and many more will come forward to contribute.
It would appear that there is currently not a situation that requires any further intervention since some funds have been placed at the disposal of the family. Should the situation change in any way and assistance is necessary, I trust, I can take the liberty and approach our friends again.
My deepest thanks for such a lovely response. Most heart warming and most affectionate. My thanks, again.
Warm regards
Sincerely
Vijay
PS. I have just spoken to Ramesh’s wife, Deepali, who confirms that he is stable and the diagnosis indicated is correct.
Ramesh Sinha suffered possibly a mild stroke. His left arm movement was impaired and he was slurring his words. An army doctor and family friend attended to him and she has stabilised him.
We have had some funds deposited into his account, Rs 35,000 and that should cover his immediate needs. An amazing number of guys have come forward to contribute but we are putting those funds on hold in the event he needs hospitalisation. We will, when that is necessary, disburse those monies directly to the medical facilitator.
I have also responded to some of you individually.
Ramesh Sinha is being taken to a neurologist this morning. Will keep you informed as I receive more inputs.
Cheers
Vijay
On 12 Jul 2020, at 1:40 pm, Vijay Khurana wrote:
Dear All,
Several of you have come forward offering assistance with Ramesh’s medical treatment.
The OCA Delhi Chapter has responded with approximately Rs 35,000 having been deposited directly into Ramesh’s account. This amount is currently sufficient to meet any emergency expenses.
We are happy to learn that Ramesh’s condition is currently stable and he seems to be doing well. In the event that he needs to be hospitalised or any other emergency occurs, I will come back to seek your assistance. We intend to pay all such expenses, when they arise, directly to the medical institution for his treatment. Account details will be indicated at that time. Naturally an account of expenses incurred will be shared with every one and certainly with the donors.
So for the moment, just hold on and I will come back.
Thank you, again, for your quick and spontaneous responses. I am always overwhelmed by the caring attitude of this lovely fraternity. It adds meaning to being an OC and that is what this is all about.
It is our response to situations like these that will add value to the OCA (India) as well. We certainly need to institutionalise this effort and it will be one good reason why any one should want to be a part of the OCA!! It cannot be a limited effort based on any parameter whether the year you left School or to the House you belonged to. It has to be a fraternal effort. It has to be inclusive. I trust you concur.
My warm regards
Sincerely
Vijay
AND HERE ARE SOME OF THE MESSAGES IN RESPONSE DURING THE COURSE OF THE EMAIL EXCHANGES:
On Sun, 12 Jul 2020 at 22:42, Ramesh Suthoo wrote:
Vijay , any further developments on the payment front? Grateful for your feedback,
Cheers
Ramesh Suthoo
Please let me know when and where the funds are required .
Moni Kohli
Vijay you do us all proud.
Both Madhu and I have been through a tumble drier for the past two months. She had a severe heart attack, but is now well recovered. But in the time of COVID19 believe me we went through hell and I can only begin to imagine what Ramesh is going through now.Bittu [Sahgal]
On 12-Jul-2020, at 8:36 PM, Badal Singh wrote:
Hiya Vijay
Thanks for Informing us .
Pls let us all know , As and when the need arises …..
I’m sure everyone will be more than willing to chip in with whatever they can spare …..
My regards to everyone .
Lots of Love , Good wishes & the Best of luck …..
Sincerely .
The 3rd Div gang 🤣
On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 17:46, Berizis Eng wrote:I last met Ramesh long ago along with late GIrish Ghai when he was a reporter with Free Press Journal and got pissed left him to catch a local train unfortunately past midnight and poor guy had to pass the night on a bench kindly let me know where to donate towards his recovery if u talk to him say hi
Hi Vijay,
I have already transferred 5k to Ramesh’s bank account details of which were sent by Kuttu.You could access it if you can.Warm regards,Rocky
