The great deluge of Chennai not only uprooted thousands of residents of the Southern City of Chennai and adjacent Cuddalore but gave sleepless nights to hundreds of Bay Area residents whose parents or relatives got caught in the swirl.
Frantic calls were made to friends and relatives seeking information about the near and dear ones in Chennai, especially in the low-lying areas and those on the banks of three rivers – clogging the network in Chennai.
“It was a sleepless night for two days as my aged parents who were in Thiruvanmiyur suffered a lot when the floods entered their house, submerging all the belongings. They had to be evacuated in a boat to a safer place,” said Jaishree Chandrasekar, a leading Tamil actress and an IT professional in San Francisco. “I was on tenterhooks, unable to reach them and those moments were scary to say the least.”
Like Jaishree, hundreds of Tamils living in Bay Area frantically searched for their parents or relatives for over a week that was unprecedented in the history of India and Chennai in particular.
The great deluge has triggered an enormous amount of volunteer participation and donation activity around the world. Diaspora Indians as well as Indians from other parts of India have come together in this moment of need with their generous contributions.
An ad hoc group has also come together among some friends in the Bay Area, which was an outgrowth of the anxiety of a couple of former Chennai natives.
In addition to Jaishree and Rohini, the ad hoc group in the Bay Area consists of other community members who are committed to alleviating the pain of the Chennai flood victims.
Sandhya Ramesh, an activist, had a chance check up with Vennira Aadai Murthy, a legendary Tamil movie comedian. Jaishree is now coordinating volunteers using Whatsapp and Facebook connecting with the relief efforts of noted South Indian actress Suhasini Maniratnam and ace cinematographer Jayendra Panchapakesan.
They have planned a huge fundraiser in Bay Area on December 20. More details can be had from 925-639-1945 or email jaishree.chandrasekar@gmail.com.
PM Swamy
