VIJAYAWADA: The police personnel and other officials on duty may have become tired, but not G Sarat Chandra. This Mechanical Engineering IIIrd year student from VR Siddartha College did not appear a wee bit tired helping senior citizens at Krishnaveni Ghat here on Saturday afternoon.
He and his friends have come to the Krishna Ghats to work as volunteers for the Pushkarams. They help an aged couple to reach the tree shade here and alert people about their luggage there.
“We are very proud to have Pushkaram in our city and we feel honored to play hosts,” said a proud Sarath Chandra. As many as 150 students from his college are working in two shifts - from 8 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm at various ghats, he said.
Hundreds of college students became volunteers for the Krishna Pushkarams. Unmindful of the hot and humid conditions, the students have been playing their part by assisting pilgrims, especially the elders and are ensuring that the pilgrims return home with good memories of their visit to the city. More than 7,000 students and their teachers have become Pushkar Sevaks to assist the police and help the needy.
Several other students have teamed up with non-government organisations and are actively working at the ghats. While some teamed up with water supply department supplying water sachets to those waiting in the queue lines, some others were cautioning those who are venturing too deep into the river. Yet others were guiding the pilgrims to the nearest bus stations and Pushkara Pagars.
Even girls were seen actively working regarless of the hot temperatures helping at medical stalls.
“I am a member of Red Cross Society and I usually take part in its activities. After coming to know that the Red Cross wanted volunteers for the pushkarams, I joined them. Now, we are around 75 working at this ghat”, said K Srinivas, a youth from YRC college, who has been helping at a medical outpost at Seethanagaram Ghat. NSS and NCC cadets are also seen in large numbers serving the pilgrims and helping the authorities.