Every child is taught about ‘the left hand shouldn’t know what the right hand is doing.’ Sticking to the saying are a bunch of groups from the city who don’t have the time to either pose with the charity work they are doing with photos to post on FB or twitter, or to think about getting media mileage. They are just focussed on sending vehicles loaded with rice, water, biscuit packets, blankets and clothes they have collected to the designated areas in Visakhapatnam, as early as possible.
On being asked what’s motivating them to extend a helping hand, Sandeep Ramineni was surprised. “I wasn’t expecting media to call and enquire about this work. My idea is not to publicise what I am doing, instead I want to help the people of the city where I have worked and enjoyed my stay. I am not accepting money because right now that isn’t as important as food, water, clothing and some basic medicines. After the disaster I found myself discussing the calamity with friends over dinner almost everyday, but hadn’t been doing anything. All I did was call my friends and asked them to come forward with what they have to offer, someone posted the same on FB and from then the response has been overwhelming. Now if you excuse me, I have to send off the truck with blankets and water. Any help except money is welcome,” says Sandeep, a civil contractor who had worked in the port area and cannot ignore its plight now.
Another group that is working like a a human chain comprises young men from a company called Dirt9. The group is coordinating with GITAM alumni to extend help to the needy. “Our team is expanding by the day. We have only initiated a channel for the help to come, the people who are offering help are the real heroes,” says Yuvraj of Dirt9, while insisting that right now the help they are getting is in the form of basic needs. “Some are offering to take up the toll tax cost on the highway to help transport the basics. We are more than happy and thank every individual who have extended help in any form. Right now the problem is distribution and not relief goods. Also to counter the problem of phone connectivity, we have a few men stationed at places where they get cell phone signals. From there the messages are carried forward,” he adds.
Federation of Telugu Churches (FTC) has also made an appeal to all the members of the churches to contribute generously to the cyclone victims and help in their rehabilitation and the restoration of their means of livelihood. Another group called Youth for Seva is also working to help people of Vizag to get back to normalcy.
Kudos to all these groups who are making the best use of social network, with little interest in likes and comments they attract.
