Wednesday 2 December 2015

Spirit of Chennai! : Blog # 247

Spirit of Chennai!


My friend always says that whenever you speak to someone from Tamil Nadu, the second or third sentence will always be “Saaptiya?” which means did you have food?. Such is the warmth that people from this part of our country exude. I once told someone from Delhi who asked me in jest “What is so great about your city? Chennai is perennially hot right?” to which very instinctively I replied “But people are equally warm, my dear”. It is time we showed the generous soul of the city, not for the world to see but for our own selves.


The city is going through quite trying times. It was ravaged by rains last week and continues to be battered by torrential rains today and for 2 more days as per prediction. Water entered my house in Kerala on one fine midnight about 5 years ago. I know exactly how frustrating it is and helpless we feel when nature unleashes its might on us. A few things that we can do to make lives easier in such difficult times :

                                          For those us who are in other parts of the country, need of the hour is to send essential supplies to our people in chennai.This picture on right has details to which monetary contributions can be made . 

Here is a verified, credible organization at Chennai which is willing to help. Maatram Foundation is run by a Senior HR Leader of Infosys, Chennai who is my colleague. It is a verified and trusted organization which I can personally vouch for. 

Address to send supplies : 

      Sujith Kumar - Maatram Foundation,
#13, Rajendra Nagar, East Tambaram, Chennai - 59
Contact No - 9551014389
Email - maatramfoundation@yahoo.in

or

Sujith Kumar - Maatram Foundation
#2, Opal Block, Park Royale Appts, 26 KK Road, Valmiki Nagar,
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 41
Contact No - 9789905166

Items needed : Blankets, Towels, Sarees, Lungis, Shirts, Nighties, Sanitary Napkins, Mosquito Coils, Odomos Cream, Biscuit Packets, Water bottles, Slippers, Paracetamol Tablets, Syrup (for Kids), Torch lights, Batteries, Candles, Milk Tetrapackets

Some Dos & Don'ts :

1.      Please open your doors for people stuck near your house’s area to stay (People of Bombay did this during the deluge there)
2.      Kindly serve food outside your home for those who are trying to find their way
3.      Knock on your neighbours doors and check if they need any help.
4.      Lend a helping hand to rescue personnel, firemen and other public servants. This is not the time to blame government.
5.      Spare a thought for the animals if you can. They are more helpless and in need of kindness than us.

          The rains will not last forever. But the deeds that you do in these tough times will. Let us flood our city with all the love that we can conjure.

6.      Inform family that you are safe if you are staying away from home. Let them know your exact whereabouts.
7.      Share contact details of two other people staying close to you with your family and friends
8.      Charge laptop and cell phone to the max as and when possible.
9.     Switch off Internet on cell phone and reduce screen brightness to minimum needed.
10. Do not venture out – Manholes, Strong currents, Flash floods, Reptiles ,electric shock are all fatal possibilities
11. Do not send any forwards regarding alerts unless you are really sure the message is completely true.

 Navy Helpline : 04425394240

Some useful links :

            List of doctors : http://prac.to/Chennai floods

 Chennai Corporation Helpline numbers: :http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-flood-alert-Helpline-numbers/articleshow/50002900.cms


Chennai Rain Relief 2015’s FB page : https://www.facebook.com/ChennaiRainRelief2015/?fref=ts

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