Expats remain to help nation combat virus

Shenzhen volunteer

In February, when the pandemic was at its height in China, Dushyant Kumar, an Indian cinematographer living in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, had the chance to return to his home country.

However, he turned the opportunity down and chose to stay in China.

"I just went about my business, and whenever I had the time, I also did some volunteer work," Kumar said.

"On Feb 5, the Indian embassy contacted me, asking me to return to India. Many people were going back, but I thought this was a bad idea," he said.

The previous month, an official from the Shenzhen government contacted Kumar and asked him whether he needed help.

"It was very, very touching. I'm just an ordinary person who nobody knows. No country－not even my own－would ever do such a thing," he said.

"This is a war and I want to fight the virus with the Chinese people," he added.

Kumar started doing volunteer work at his community on Feb 17.

In March, he started work as a volunteer on the frontline at Shenzhen Bay Port, a point of entry in the city for overseas arrivals.

At the time, the risk from the virus was high, and he had to wear a protective suit.

As it was inconvenient and unsafe to remove the suit at work, he had to wear a diaper the whole day and refrain from eating.

"I cannot imagine just how hard the Chinese doctors and nurses have worked," he said.

After working at the port for the first time, he had to be quarantined for 14 days before starting his second stint.

Kumar helped dozens of foreigners from Russia, the United States, Thailand and the United Kingdom at the port.

"China has handled the pandemic very well. It's been awesome. The people are helping each other," he said.

He added that he had visited a community, where he found a notice posted on the front gate stating, "If you are in difficulty, we can offer a helping hand."

Out of curiosity, Kumar asked a security guard whether he would really be helped if he was in trouble.

The guard replied: "We will do everything we can to offer help if you need it. If you do not have anything to eat at home, we will send you some food."

Kumar said, "I grew up in the UK and have traveled to many countries, but I have never come across such a touching experience."

To share his knowledge about combating the virus, he produced a documentary about ways in which people can protect themselves. The video was translated into more than 20 languages.

"The documentary did particularly well in India, Italy and Russia," he said.

Kumar remains concerned about his family members in New Delhi, where the virus is still raging.

"I tell them of the experience I have learned from China about self-isolating at home. If they have to go outside, they should fully protect themselves, as my video shows," he said.

Kumar thinks that maintaining social distancing is highly important and is a social responsibility.

He said that as the government is doing everything it can to help people, they should also shoulder their responsibilities, such as quarantining at home and scanning QR health codes whenever they visit public areas.

"These measures are aimed at protecting ourselves," he said.

Rising at 5 am on workdays, Kumar spends a total of four hours commuting on public transportation between his office in Luohu district and his home in Dapeng district.

Although the traveling can be tiring, he said he is happy, as he can be with his wife each day. "It's like Valentine's Day every day," he added.

During weekends, he helps his wife cook at home or listens to her singing karaoke.

"I am very happy in China," he said, adding that he views the country as one of the safest in the world.

"You can do whatever you want and you can go anywhere as long as you abide by the law," he said.

Kumar added that he wants to make more videos to tell foreigners about the ideal investment opportunities in Shenzhen and the promising prospects in the city.