Manaveeyam Theruvidam, a cultural collective, has joined hands with Aksharamonline to extend support to the victims of Cyclone Ockhi. This initiative is completely crowdfunded – members of the group, their families and friends have donated to the cause.

They have christened the programme Sneha Sparsham. So far 1000 kg of rice and 200 kg of green grams have been distributed to the affected families in Kotturpuram, near Vizhinjam, and Adimalathura.

Sneha Sparsham was inaugurated by Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Dewasom and Cooperation, and the distribution of rice was done by M Vijayakumar, Chairman, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Kadakampally Surendran said, “Although the government is trying hard to meet the requirements of the affected, initiatives of this kind from the public will act as a catalyst to bring life back to normal.”

Students of Manacaud VHSS, who are at an NSS camp in Poonthura, have also joined the mission, and are distributing rice.

KG Suraj, Secretary of Manaveeyam Theruvidam, said that they just wanted to help those people who had suffered at the hands of Ockhi.

“If we can see people smile and if we can offer them food for even one meal during this festive season, it is more than enough for us,” he added.

Manaveeyam Theruvidam is a collective of like-minded friends who used to gather regularly at the Manaveeyam Street Library. The members of the group are from the different segments of society – from daily labourers to professionals.

Once they crowdsourced the funds, they reached out to Supplyco to help them buy the rice and green grams.

“We are just starting off with this. The mission is intended to continue with similar ventures at other affected shores as well. We are planning follow-up programmes, including educational support and counselling for children and the families of those still missing,” said Suraj.