Northern Ireland

Indian community to host event thanking the north for vital oxygen generators

Health Minister Robin Swann visits Musgrave Hospital in April to inspect three oxygen generators before they were sent to India to provide vital assistance in the country's battle with Covid-19. Picture by Niall Carson.
Health Minister Robin Swann visits Musgrave Hospital in April to inspect three oxygen generators before they were sent to India to provide vital assistance in the country's battle with Covid-19. Picture by Niall Carson. Health Minister Robin Swann visits Musgrave Hospital in April to inspect three oxygen generators before they were sent to India to provide vital assistance in the country's battle with Covid-19. Picture by Niall Carson.
By Paul Ainsworth

MEMBERS of the north's Indian community are to host an event to thank Health Minister Robin Swann for vital oxygen generators sent to the subcontinent earlier this year as part of a Covid relief effort.

Belfast-based Indian community group ImageNationNI will host the event this Tuesday at Sandy Row Community Centre.

Mr Swann will be a guest alongside East Derry MLA Claire Sugden, whose work in mediating concerns from the Indian community to the Department of Health during the pandemic is also being celebrated, and Belfast Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl.

The three oxygen generators, each the size of a shipping container, arrived in India in May as a devastating wave of Covid-19 was ripping through the country.

ImageNation's Sanjay Ghosh said: "India was badly hit this year. Northern Ireland stepped forward to assist with much needed oxygen generators. As Indian people living in Northern Ireland, we are proud to be part of this country and grateful for the help extended."

Mr Ghosh said thanks would also be expressed to Mr Swann and Ms Sugden at the event on behalf of Belfast businessman and Conservative peer Lord Diljit Rana, who has been in India during the recent catastrophic wave.

In a statement from Lord Rana in the Punjab, the former president of the NI Chamber of Commerce said he was "deeply grateful" for the support and guidance offered to Indian people during the current crisis.