Tamil actress Sona Heiden wanted to help people after the recent rains in Tamil Nadu. What came to mind was the famous ‘ALS Ice Bucket Challenge’. Inspired by the viral sensation, she decided to start the ‘Rice Bowl Challenge’.
“I went around Chennai after the rains and realised how lucky I am or blessed. I am asking people to donate rice as there are thousands of people affected. A 25 kg bag of rice costs only about Rs 700 and we can help five families by giving each of them 5 kg of rice,” explains Sona.
Sona started the challenge on the morning of November 28 and by evening she had already collected 900 kg!
Sona Heiden with the bags of rice she collected in just a day.
The actress explains that she sent out an appeal to all her friends and acquaintances on WhatsApp and help came pouring in.
“Many people are sending me money and I am buying the rice and sending across the receipt,” says Sona. She had a target of 1000 kg in total but had nearly achieved it by the end of the first day. One person even sent her 500 toothbrushes to be handed out.
So how was she planning to distribute the rice? “I am planning to hand it over to actor Vishal because he has the ability and manpower to distribute it,” says Sona. Vishal’s fan clubs helped him with relief work in the recent rains.
The actress is now hoping to collect several thousand kilos of rice with her ‘Rice Bowl Challenge’ so that she can help as many people as possible in the state.
