The day when Chennai stood still

Chennai

It was not like any other day. The hope that bound ustogether is now lost in the mist of time. When I woke up in the morning andopened my window, I saw a little kid crying. There was nobody around him. Myheart froze, watching his tears falling down and mixing with the water that wasgushing past him. I ran down, hoping to see and rescue him. But to my surprise,he was gone. I don’t know if he was washed away. I hope not. I then decided tostep out of the house and make a difference.

With the little amount of pocket money that I had saved formy mother’s birthday, I went out to help the people in need. Deep inside Iknew, I could at least put a smile on some faces and my mother wouldn’t reallymind. With an approximate amount of Rs. 20,000, my friends and I bought food,water and medicines for the people who were badly affected. I drove down toareas like Velachary and Saidapet that loomed in darkness.

They had almost fallen out of the map. Wherever I looked, Isaw people crying for help, pets dying of hunger and mothers weeping for theirlost kids. I went up to them, handed over the food and medicines. At thatmoment, the little their smile gave me hope. They had had lost everything andwere baffled by the loss of lives and all their important households.

 After the daysdistribution, I came back home, realising that one good deed from my side,brought a smile on so many faces. The day when Chennai stood still.

If you have an experience to share, as an on-field volunteerduring Chennai floods, write to us at contact us. dtnext@dt.co.in with a picture. We will feature your story.