Now, it’s our turn to lend a helping hand

Thiruvananthapuram: The state enjoyed overwhelming support from Tamil Nadu when it faced one of the worst floods in history. Several loads of relief materials reached the city from Tamil Nadu during floods. However, when the city got a chance to show gratitude, it is turning a blind eye.
The relief material collection drive started by district administration, based on the call of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to support victims of Cyclone Gaja, is getting an extremely poor response. The collection centre was started at the auditorium of Government College for Women in Vazhuthacaud on Thursday afternoon. District collector K Vasuki has announced opening of the collection centre through a Facebook post by around 11am. However, the response was disappointing.

“Not a single person arrived today. Around 50 volunteers, mostly students, who were part of relief material collection during the Kerala flood, came here to co-ordinate the operations. We were taken aback with the poor response,” said Bharat Govind G S, intern at district collector’s internship programme.

Following poor response, the volunteers started visiting shops and institutions, requesting them to donate. The volunteers said that response from shops too was not very encouraging.

Bharat said that they had witnessed arrival of around 30 truckloads of relief materials from Tamil Nadu at the time of Kerala flood and it was time to support our neighbours.

Sub-collector K Inbasekhar said that district administration is intensifying campaign due to the poor response. “Around four districts are worst-affected by cyclone Gaja. There is much demand for tarpaulin as roofs of several houses were flown off. Ready-to-eat food, candles, match boxes, bed sheets and clean and dry clothes are required. We will spread the message through whatever media we could. They have helped us during our troubled times and now it is time to show some love,” he said.

The student volunteers and NSS units have begun campaign among college students. They have also contacted directorate of collegiate education to spread a word among educational institutions.

The relief collection camp will function at Women’s college auditorium from 9am to 10pm on Friday. For details, contact 9633096769.