Onam, the harvest festival most beloved in Kerala, will be a low-key affair this year due to the devastating floods that claimed lives of more than 350 people and ravished homes of more than a thousand families.
Despite this, the festival will shine brightly for millions and will be a cause for them to come together and help each other through the tough times. Even Keralites who don’t reside in the state have pledged to donate funds demarcated for the festivities to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
Keralites and Malayalis will also donate to organisations and relief camps in hopes to aid people who were affected in the floods.
Reji Kumar, General Secretary, Kerala Samajam, Bengaluru, has so far sent 19 trucks of relief material to flood-hit areas in Kerala. Speaking to The Times of India, he says, “We will send some more trucks in the next few days. We have called off all Onam celebrations and have donated about Rs 10 lakh for relief and rehabilitation work.”
GiveIndia and The Better India have come together to help Rebuild Kerala by supporting 41,000 affected families. You too can be a part of this movement and help us raise funds for the NGOs working to rehabilitate these families. If all of us come together with a small monthly contribution, we can make a real and meaningful difference in helping restore normalcy to those who need our help the most.
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Along with such donations, the feast that accompanies with Onam, the grandiose sadhya will raise funds for the flood-hit victims.
At Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, passengers can buy sadhya for Rs 499 at Tiffin Center till Sunday, which will be matched for the funds. A spokesperson of Bangalore International Airport Limited said, “We will match the amount as a donation towards flood relief for Karnataka and Kerala.”
The celebrations of Onam usually involve the communities with events and fun tournaments. But this time, the money saved for such events will be used for rehabilitation.
“I have never missed Onam celebrations in my life. But this time, Kerala is facing one of its worst floods ever. Our focus now is on relief work, especially in Wayanad. We have cancelled Onam celebrations worth Rs 15 lakh and have donated the money for relief work,” PA Issac, a resident of Jalahalli told the publication.
With help coming in from all quarters, we hope that the coastal state can rebuild itself soon. If you wish to contribute to the flood-hit victims, you can do so here.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)
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