Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan on Wednesday issued a video message urging people to contribute for the relief and rehabilitation of cyclone-affected Tamil Nadu. Cyclone Gaja struck the state of Tamil Nadu on November 16, wreaking havoc and rendering lakhs of people homeless.
In the video which was tweeted by actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, Amitabh requests the citizens of India to extend their support to the affected people. He talks about the devastation the Cyclone left behind in the coastal and delta districts of Tamil Nadu and calls upon people to lend aid.
“Lakhs of people have been moved to relief camps. Massive damage has been recorded to trees, electric poles and livestock and this is just an estimation. Agriculture and livelihood have been crippled in a most fertile region, the damage is beyond imagination,” he says in the video.
“The State and Central governments have extended help but support from volunteers, social welfare organisations and socially conscious individuals would go a long way in helping the affected people - our people. The spirit of one nation one people is cardinal to the prosperity and unity of India as a nation. Many of us are unaware of the damage caused by Cyclone Gaja and the suffering of the people of Tamil Nadu. But this is the time to bring out the spirit of brotherhood. Be the beacon of humanity and come forward to help our own,” he adds.
Amitabh adds that Kamal Haasan and the Makkal Needi Maiam are working at ground level, “so ladies and gentlemen, lend your support.”
Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to thank Amitabh Bachchan, saying, “Thank you Amit ji. You have clearly explained the devastation the Gaja Cyclone has wrecked in Thamizh Nadu. It is always people like you who have been the thread which stitches our country together in spite of all its diversity.”
Thank you Amit ji @SrBachchan. You have clearly explained the devastation the Gaja Cyclone has wrecked in Thamizh Nadu. It is always people like you who have been the thread which stitches our country together in spite of all its diversity. pic.twitter.com/3EEWhnWXAK
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 5, 2018
Cyclone Gaja made landfall near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district in the wee hours of November 16. After the landfall, it moved to interior Tamil Nadu, where it caused extensive damage to crops and property and cut off electrical, telecommunication as well as road connectivity to the districts. The official death toll due to the cyclone stands at 63 and more than 3 lakh people have been displaced from their homes.