Post the rains, there is plenty of rehabilitation to be carried out across Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has pegged the losses incurred due to the recent rains and floods at around Rs 8500 crore.
Meanwhile, the Centre has released about Rs 940 crore to help the state. The Tamil film industry has now come together to donate to the Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund. Jayalalithaa announced a Rs 500 crore relief fund from the state on November 16 and now Kollywood is also pooling in. Vishal, who was recently elected as the General Secretary of the Nadigar Sangam, has made a Rs 10 lakh donation personally towards the CM’s flood relief fund.
Speaking exclusively to dna, Vishal said, “Nadigar Sangam actually started helping out distressed people in the state two weeks back. My fan clubs and Karthi’s fan clubs helped us in this endeavour. We provided wholesome kits which included provisions and essential items to families in Cuddalore.”
The actor who is currently shooting in Rajahmundry for a film stated that the Nadigar Sangam has now urged all its members to open their wallets and donate how much ever they can. Suriya and Karthi have donated a generous amount of Rs 25 lakh.
“I have donated Rs 10 lakh personally. Once everyone sends in their cheques, we will hand over the amount to CM’s relief fund. This should happen on Wednesday,” he says adding they will release an official note with a list of all the people who donated and the amounts.
Vishal meanwhile has also been helping many dogs that have been stranded in the rains. He sent out his car to help pick up stray dogs during the rains. “The activists were stranded without any support and these dogs needed to be rescued. I wasn’t in town, but I called my driver and asked him to go help them,” says the actor who has adopted a dog named Nemo. He has been working with the People for Cattle in India and Maitreyi who feed stray dogs.
“It’s nice that everyone coming is forward to help. But my request is that everyone, and not just actors, should help out in whatever way they can. Many people need blankets, food items and essentials commodities and I am sure that people have these in their homes. It would be wonderful if society can also pitch in,” says Vishal. In the coming days, it’s expected that more actors and people from Chennai will be helping out those in need in the state.
