India's battles with the catastrophic second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic have left its healthcare systems crippled and its citizens gasping for breath. 

Open any social media account and you can see helpless people looking for hospital beds, medicines, and oxygen supply. 

© Mumbai Mirror

According to reports, the 31-year-old has been working round the clock to provide oxygen cylinders to people in need of it. 

Shahnawaz and his Unity & Dignity Foundation initiative have supplying oxygen to patients through phone calls, and have also set up a ‘control room’ to streamline the efforts, as per India.com reports. 

"Last year when we started, we provided oxygen to 5,000 to 6,000. This year, there is a shortage of oxygen in the city. Where we used to get 50 calls earlier, we now get 500 to 600," said Shahnawaz while speaking with NDTV.

His initiative to become the country's Oxygen Man began last year during the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, when his friend's cousin died of Covid-19. 

According to reports, this prompted him to sell his Ford Endeavour to buy around 160 oxygen cylinders for people in need of it. 

"Earlier, we were not able to work properly due to lack of funding. I thought things like my SUV can be bought again, what is important right now is to help others," 

"That's why I sold my SUV and certain other things, and that's how we were able to help others," said Shahnawaz.

Shahnawaz's efforts certainly did not go unnoticed as social media users shared their admiration for the Oxygen Man on Twitter. 

People like Mr.Shahnawaz Sheikh and his team are the real heroes. Lots of Respects and #covidheroes pic.twitter.com/G8GG37EdBh

— Sudha Ramen IFS 🇮🇳 (@SudhaRamenIFS) April 22, 2021

Shanawaz ‘Oxygen Man’ Of Mumbai Sold His Rs 22 Lakh SUV to Help COVID Patients With Oxygen Cylinders

With The Money He Got After Selling His Ford Endeavor, Shahnawaz Bought 160 Oxygen Cylinders To Provide To The Needy.

We Need Many Shahnawaz Today.

Kudos To Him For His Service pic.twitter.com/kvL9loIKtR

— 🦅 ਹਤਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ 🦅 (@hatindersinghr1) April 22, 2021

Mumbai's "Oxygen man" Shahnawaz Shaikh.

Last year he sold his SUV and gave Oxygen cylinder to 250 families for free, this year he has established a War Room in Mumbai and giving Free Oxygen to people 🖤

For People Who Need Oxygen Can Call 98920-12132. #COVIDEmergency pic.twitter.com/xi80jE3iYU

— Danyal Writes (@danyalwrites007) April 21, 2021

I am.proud of being a Mumbaikar.
Great Work done sir.
Salute you.
Thank you.

— Muthukkumar (@muthuccumar) April 22, 2021

Great salute for you.

— Manoj (@Manoj_R_Manu) April 22, 2021

#covidheros

— Prince Kumar Yadav (@yadav_prince_) April 22, 2021

Respect

— Fiona Lewis (@fiona_vieira) April 22, 2021

OxygenJihad

— Ibrahim Patel (@beibrahim7) April 22, 2021

true hero

— Sue27 (@Sue2716) April 22, 2021— VM_Balu (@VM_BALU) April 22, 2021

Kudos

— Priya Nandi (@PriyaNa94423926) April 22, 2021

Hats off ...Salaam Bombay Sheikh

— Risshi C SSharma (@rishimonu0203) April 22, 2021

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