I am Maitreyee, the daughter of Rtn. Mandar and Ann. Indrayani Purnapatre. I am a final year student of Int. M.Sc. Biotechnology at IBB, Pune University. Reading is one of my most cherished hobbies. I am also fond of languages and dance. I have an avid interest in the fields of neuroscience and immunology. I aspire to elucidate the dialogue between the two systems in order to remedy the cognitive disorders.

I was working on my dissertation project at IISER, Pune when the lockdown was initiated. With a heavy heart, I parted with my exciting work and the stars of my project, my female mice. All the time I was striving to write my thesis, a thought persisted in the back of my mind. The thought that ‘I know the techniques that are being used to diagnose Corona virus and so how can I use them to help my city which is grappling with the pandemic’. With this intention, I contacted my guide at IISER to ask if I could volunteer there... but unfortunately, they were allowing only IISER students and staff to perform the testing. I felt dejected but continued with my endeavour to find a way.

In the last week of June, Pune University circulated a notice urging the students to volunteer at the PMC testing centres. I eagerly filled up the Google form and waited for the email to come. I was delighted as I had finally been given the opportunity to help. They conducted a webinar to inform us about the particulars of this Pune University-IISER-PMC joint venture. All the volunteers were left baffled at the end of it because the PMC in-charge had forgotten to get the test kit to show us, the kit that they expected us to use! However, in the spirit of greater good, we decided to take a leap of faith and attend the ‘Hands-on’ training at Naidu hospital. Surprisingly, that went very well as we had a fun, relaxed in-charge Dr. Jadhav who was simultaneously dealing with a technicians’ strike, countless other issues and demonstrating the test. We were initially shell-shocked at how casually, just in a simple N-95 mask, we had witnessed swab collection and testing at a distance of not more than a foot. It ended with a morale boosting speech by him and tons of photographs and information about our selected centre heads. 

I joined Sanas hostel, the pioneer COVID testing centre on 15th of July. I introduced myself to the head technician who allayed my qualms, provided me with a disposable apron, hair net, a pair of goggles and gloves and explained to me the functioning of the centre. He told me how he would let me assist them. However, right from the first day, assistance transitioned into entrusting me with complete testing responsibility. I was now declaring whether the person was positive or negative. I felt elated by this new sense of responsibility. The working environment and staff were so nice that the fear of being just a few feet away from the dreaded virus never set in. This was despite of the fact that the testing room and lunch place were one and the same!

After a week, I decided that I want to perform every possible role at the centre, right from documenting, record-keeping, announcing reports, drafting reports, data entry to the most petrifying yet exciting task of collecting swabs. Thanks to their supportive nature, I did manage to fulfil my wish. I even went for testing at the NMV camp which was organised specially for the shop owners of Laxmi road.

One day, I walked to find the centre decorated and looking exceptionally immaculate. The reason was that we were going to be part of an NDTV telecast! I even got felicitated by Janata Sahakari bank. We, the volunteers were overjoyed upon receiving an invitation from the Vice-chancellor of Pune University to attend flag hoisting. 

Throughout the volunteering phase, we received immense support from Dr. Kalpana Pai, head of Zoology department at Pune University and our volunteer in-charge, Jyoti Otageri. I am indebted to my parents for being such brave supporters. I feel blessed to have emerged out of this experience safe and sound. 

It was a highly enriching and rewarding experience. Being a COVID warrior was empowering. I am ready to use my knowledge for the benefit of the society in whichever way possible, at the drop of a hat. 

I hope we soon recover from this catastrophe. Lots of positivity and good health to you all!