Music composer AR Rahman on Sunday pledged Rs 1 crore for relief efforts in Kerala, which faced its worst rain and floods in the past 100 years. The composer took to Twitter to announce that he and his team of artists have donated the money to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
“From my artistes and me touring the USA... To our brothers and sisters of Kerala! May this small offering help in providing you some relief!” he tweeted.
From my artistes and me touring the USA... To our brothers and sisters of Kerala!
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) September 2, 2018
May this small offering help in providing you some relief! pic.twitter.com/9tyxtns3gr
Rahman is currently on a concert tour in the United States of America and made this announcement after his show in Washington. He will be back in India on September 5 for the music launch of Mani Ratnam’s latest release Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, where he will be performing the songs live.
Several celebrities have done their bit to help Kerala get back on its feet. Actors like Mammooty, Mohanlal, Nayanthara, Karthi, Keerthi Suresh, Raghava Lawrence, Vijay, Dhanush, Suriya etc. have donated to the CM’s relief fund.
Till August 31, the CM’s relief fund had collected over Rs 1,000 crore in the form of donations.
According to the CMDRF website, Rs 145.88 crore has been received via electronic payments, Rs 46.04 crore via UPI/QR/VPA and Rs 835.86 crore via cash/cheque/RTGS. The electronic payments made through the website, from August 14, reached Rs 134.29 crore, with Rs 44.98 lakh on August 31 alone. The website has also listed out the banks through which the amount was received.
The website is being updated real time and for those with concerns about how the government is utilising the funds received so far, the website has a page stating the transparency rules.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the Kerala Assembly on Thursday that 483 people had died in the floods.