After delta regions in Tamilnadu was hit by cyclone Gaja, support started pouring in from the residents of Porur.
We are able to see many youngsters coming forward and taking up initiatives in helping the delta get back on its feet.
A group of 11 youngsters from Flower Garden Street in Nandambakkam collected relief materials from neighbourhood houses and went in person to Thanjavur district and distributed the items to the victims.
While this kind of social activities and relief works is majorly carried out by NGOs, political parties and well-off people, these youngsters, to our surprise, are not from a financially sound background. In fact, many of them live in thatched roofs themselves.
Speaking to News Today, Ansar Sherif, who initiated this good cause, said that a Facebook post caught his attention.
“A little girl was running behind an empty vehicle in the hope of getting a food packet. That photo moved me so much. I couldn’t sleep that day. I very well know the pain of it, having gone through the same during the 2015 floods. How can we just sit in front of the television and not do anything.”
The ‘Flower Garden boys’ – as they like to be called – went around the neighbourhood asking the locals to pitch in. “We were able to collect materials worth Rs 1 lakh and Rs 30,000 in cash,” informed Karthik, one of the boys.
“Our relief kit comprised rice, aata, rava, bread, sanitary napkins, vegetables and clothes,” he said.
They didn’t stop at that. They arranged for three vehicles and travelled to the affected areas in person.
“The extent of damage caused by the cyclone was not shown on televisions, so we decided to go there ourselves. We covered 10 villages – Sarabendrajapattinam, Muttukadu, Umathanadu, Paigal, Rajamadam, Kattagkadu, Pallathur, Pallikondan, Naadiyam, Aanikkadu,” he went on to list.
So, how was it there? “The condition was pathetic. Hoards of villagers kept blocking us and demanded the materials. We had the help of a local coordinator, Surya, who guided us to the interior villages. We also helped some villagers in putting up banner sheets on their roof tops,” Ansar replied.
Surya, who co-ordinated these youngsters, informed how helpful they were. “The boys didn’t have a proper place to sleep nor good food, but they did not bother. It is really heartening to see youngsters being so socially aware,” he appreciated.
| 6 LAKH & COUNTING |
 Ramapuram Social Welfare Federation collected and distributed basic essentials to the people of Thiruthuraipoondi.
The members raised nearly Rs 6 lakh for the cause. The team visited the most hit places and distributed the essentials. They were able to help nearly 400 people belonging to six villages. “All these people have lost their houses and are stranded on the roads with their family members. There is no electricity supply or water. They are unable to use the water from the nearby pond as the water is spoiled because of the trees that fell into it,” said Paul Dhas. The members have also decided to send one more truck of essentials to the people of Thennampulam near Vedaranyam, around 550 families dwell here. Those who would like to offer assistance are welcome. Contribution by way of cheque should be drafted in favour of Ramapuram Social Welfare Federation and it can be sent to their office. The venue is No 8, 6th Cross Street, Rayala Nagar, Ramapuram. For further details, contact 8754489111 / 9840890011. |