Amidst COVID-19 chaos, Maharashtra’s youngest MLA Zeeshan Siddique is ray of hope for people
Mumbai: Maharashtra is in the middle of one of the worst chaos it has ever witnessed, under the debris of COVID-19 and the ever-mounting cases of the virus, people are left out in cold with the shortage of oxygen, blood, ICU beds, Remdesivir, and everything that can bring any relief to the patients and their families.
With the situation looking grim and expected to go further down, Maharashtra’s youngest MLA and Congress leader Zeeshan Siddique is working tirelessly on the ground to do everything under his control to help people in his constituency.
Zeeshan, who is MLA from Vandre East constituency, is working with his team and is trying to ensure people in distress can be helped with adequate treatment, admission to hospital, vaccination, or even for people who want to check on their relative at COVID centre if they are not able to get through.
28-year-old Zeeshan is using Twitter as the medium of connecting with people and has requested people to tag him or DM him with their concerns and that he and his team will try to help in any way that is possible.
In the last few days, Zeeshan’s Twitter timeline is flooded with both requests for help as well as messages thanking him and his team for timely intervention and help for patients in their families and friends.
At a time when the Centre is clueless about its action plan on COVID’s second wave and is busy with election campaigning in West Bengal while the state government is struggling to communicate with the Centre to cope with the situation, several young politicians, activists like Zeeshan have come out as the new ray of hope for the people in distress. Although what they are doing is not enough to neutralize the deadly situation the country is in at the moment, it definitely is helping people and their families at the individual level.
The stories of their sheer dedication and empathy towards fellow citizens is what is keeping people still hopeful of more people joining such heroism to help people in distress and do what is largely expected by the elected governments.
Anyone facing issues at the BKC jumbo covid centre in Bandra East regarding admission/ vaccination or even if you want to check on a relative you’re not able to get through to. Feel free to DM me!
— Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshan_iyc) April 16, 2021
Sir I have been messaging since yesterday. My cousin is critically ill with Covid, she is comorbid, 42 years old. She needs an ICU bed with ventilator but none has been available yet. Please help.
— Khairunisa (@themoonshipper) April 16, 2021
Thanks @zeeshan_iyc! You guys are doing awesome work. pic.twitter.com/xR6ua7qjav
— Shruti Chaturvedi (@adhicutting) April 16, 2021
@zeeshan_iyc bhai you a superb , helping us by REMDESIVIR injection in this pandemic that also totally free great sir . I salute you sir , jai hind . pic.twitter.com/jSLTgbDXj8
— damodar pulpet (@damodarpulpet) April 15, 2021
We have connected and @zeeshan_iyc ji is sending it across. Hope it helps and the patient is fine soon.
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) April 15, 2021
Temporary relief arranged. Thanks @zeeshan_iyc for extending help with one critical dose required for today. The situation is quite bad... please take care all. ??
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) April 15, 2021
Thank you is the smallest word in the dictionary for the help and support I've received from @mantramugdh and @zeeshan_iyc ?
— Shadaab Hashmi (@ShadaabHashmi) April 15, 2021
Means alot ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rvtL6gSpuk
I had seen superhero in movies but after seeing your efforts you put it for your people @Zeeshan_iyc bhai is really commendable one of bestfriend who was searching for #remdesiver vials since 3 days got it available through within seconds that to free at night 3am @shams_iyc ty pic.twitter.com/27BmOko94V
— Shah Sharukh (@ShahSharukh5) April 14, 2021
On a personal note, thank you @priyankac19 for following up to check on the health status of my family member. Thank you, @zeeshan_iyc for helping with Remedesivir. They both are dealing w/COVID personally but yet have lead with compassion and willingness to help. I am grateful. https://t.co/mIy7X4rTjK
— Trisha Shetty (@TrishaBShetty) April 14, 2021
Thanks you Zeeshan bhai for helping people in need.
— Sandeep Ghodam (@GhodamSandeep) April 16, 2021
May god bless you always. @zeeshan_iyc pic.twitter.com/V2iBJ0K8Pv
Thank you @zeeshan_iyc ?? The patient has been given the necessary medication and they are monitoring him. My heartfelt gratitude to you and Azam bhai ?? @mybmc @falgunivasavada @appadappajappa @Rhea5
— Miloni Dutia (@Miloni_Dutia) April 17, 2021
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Mangaluru man released early from Saudi jail under National Day Amnesty
Mangaluru: A 66-year-old man from Mangaluru, Karnataka, who was serving a three-year jail sentence in Saudi Arabia, has been granted early release under the Kingdom’s National Day amnesty program. The man, identified as Ahmed Imran (name changed), worked as a driver in Jeddah before his arrest in September 2023.
Ahmed’s troubles began during a routine day at work when a neighborhood boy repeatedly harassed him while he was washing his employer’s car. Despite having previously complained to the boy's father about his behavior, no action was taken. Frustrated by the continued disturbances, Ahmed pushed the boy away. However, the boy reported the incident to his father, allegedly exaggerating the events.
The boy’s father lodged a police complaint, which led to Ahmed’s arrest. Following court proceedings, Ahmed was sentenced to three years in jail. Lacking the financial means to hire a defense lawyer, Ahmed was unable to appeal the judgment.
After his sentencing, Ahmed’s family and local leaders from Karnataka reached out for assistance. Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri, a Riyadh-based pro bono lawyer and social worker originally from Udupi, took up the case. Dr. Hameed and his Saudi legal team worked to resolve the matter, including attempts to negotiate with the complainant. However, these efforts were unsuccessful.
As a final step, Dr. Hameed advised Ahmed’s family to submit a mercy petition to the authorities. Following consistent follow-ups, Ahmed’s case was included in Saudi Arabia's National Day amnesty program, which facilitates the early release of eligible inmates.
Ahmed was released within a year of his sentence, bringing relief to his family in India. Upon his return, he expressed gratitude to his employer in Jeddah and the individuals who assisted him during his ordeal, including Dr. Hameed, K.S. Nasir Asaigoli, a social worker from Mangaluru, and Azhar from Jeddah.
The National Day amnesty program, a regular initiative by Saudi Arabia, offers relief to many individuals, reflecting the Kingdom’s efforts to uphold principles of justice and clemency. Ahmed’s release highlights the importance of community support and legal intervention for expatriates facing challenges abroad.
