Bangalore sends love, relief aid to flood-hit Chennai

Individuals formed resource centres, while a few people also started organising boats and trucks to run rescue missions. Meanwhile, people in Bengaluru too were finding ways to pitch in. Within a short time, #bangaloreforchennai began to go viral on social media, with volunteers setting up collection centres across various points in Bengaluru. Blankets, biscuits, drinking water cans, fully charged power banks, multivitamins, and mosquito repellents were collected. A skeletal team dispatched over 50 power banks and blankets to the city on Thursday, while the rest would be sent by truck on December 5. 

Gurupriya Atreya, a musician who is manning one of the collection centres, says a team operated by the Karnataka Lorry Drivers Association started this initiative. “We are trying to get a pulse of the situation. I started collecting relief material from around my area. People are looking for means to donate. It has been heart-warming to see such a response – people have been donating non-perishable foods, adult and child diapers and medicines. Even college goers, who couldn’t afford anything more than a pack of candles, pitched in. My watchman too has donated clothes and packets of biscuits. I have a spiritual connection with Chennai and the last few days have been very emotional,” she reveals. 

Akshay Shankar, who was handling the centre on Richmond Road, says, “We have been getting continuous calls, right from the time we posted the details. The phone has been ringing off the hook.” Chennaiiite Priyanka S, who works in Bengaluru, felt terrible to be away from her beloved city during the time of crisis. “I felt bad about being away but I wanted to do something about it. People have been very generous and social media has helped us reach out to a lot more people. The response has truly been amazing,” she says.

Rohit Koliyot, a marketing consultant from Indira Nagar, says everybody is keen to help Chennai, which is facing the worst floods in 100 years. “After the message went online, we had close to 15 calls within an hour. Many other collection centres too are getting a similar response. Chennaiites away from home and locals too are pitching in with relief materials. We hope Chennai will soon overcome this,” he concludes.