‘I continue to follow up on relief operations’

Chennai

I stay in Adyar and there wasn’t much trouble in my area, except that there was no power. On December 2, after incessant rains paralysed the city, I was shocked to see the damage it had caused across the city. Looking at the water logged streets and stranded residents, I couldn’t sit indoors any more. For once, the herd mentality worked, as we like other volunteers, wanted to carry out relief operations. My friend and I set out and travelled across Chennai. We visited Kotturpuram, Saidapet and Chemencherry some of the most-affected localities. We decided to distribute food packets in a couple of localities We prepared food for everyone at my friend’s food joint Namma Kitchen and managed to distribute food packets to close to 2,000 to 3,000 people. We also visited K.K. Nagar and the extent of damage shocked us. Choolai Pallam area, where a number of daily-wage labourers stay, was in dire need of help. As food requirements were being addressed by many, we decided to distribute blankets to people living in the area. We had received funds for the relief operations from friends. Apart from blankets, we went about arranging candles. Later, we distributed sarees and dhotis to those recuperating from the damage caused by the floods in K.K. Nagar Even now, we ensure that we visit K.K. Nagar in the morning for two hours before heading to work, to reach out to anyone who needs help.