Cyclone Titli, which made landfall in North Andhra Pradesh, Odisha has caused widespread destruction along the coast. As always following a natural calamity, it is the poor and marginalised who suffer the most. Thankfully however, Telugu film industry celebrities have extended their support for relief and rehabilitation.
Actor Navdeep contributed relief materials to the affected areas like Vajrapukoturu and Kaviti. He tweeted:
We are sending some relief material to vajrapukoturu and kaviti mandals today… Have @yuvagalam coordinating things on ground personally!
— Navdeep (@pnavdeep26) October 15, 2018
Other film industry professionals came forward to donate to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund towards relief measures. Actor Junior NTR donated a sum of Rs 15 lakhs, while Kalyan Ram and Vijay Deverakonda announced Rs 5 lakhs each to CM’s relief fund.
The news just reached me in Leh. This time it’s our own. Let’s join in. Every contribution is massive.
You did it last time with me for Kerala, let’s do it one more time.
I stand with you Andhra Pradesh and so will a lot of my people. #CycloneTitli pic.twitter.com/NO6bLym27n— Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) October 14, 2018
Actor Sampoornesh Babu has also donated Rs 50,000. The actors not only donated but also appealed to their fans to support the cause.
I also joined Bro….just transferred ONE lakh rupees to #Apcmrelief fund. #CycloneTitli https://t.co/bd3ajUOO7j
— Anil Ravipudi (@AnilRavipudi) October 14, 2018
It's time we stand up for our people..
I've done my part..
I request you all to contribute and help us rebuild our homes in Andhra..?????? pic.twitter.com/hsKj6Ra5c7— Varun Tej Konidela (@IAmVarunTej) October 15, 2018
A few actors also visited the affected area directly and took part in relief work.
The Most Satisfying Dinner after the Most satisfying day…
In Chinavanka and PalleSaradhi Srikakulam#istandwithAndhraPradesh #CycloneTitli pic.twitter.com/SS26NPZ1Lw— Nikhil Siddhartha (@actor_Nikhil) October 15, 2018
2500 kilos of Rice
500 Blankets
Portable Generators for Power cuts.
Dinner for 3000 people who need cooked food immediately.
Was arranging these things here in Srikakulam all day… Now in GUPPIDIPETA..next on to PALLISARADHI
Stay strong Srikakulam?
#istandwithAndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/ny7R6Ckjba— Nikhil Siddhartha (@actor_Nikhil) October 15, 2018
Similar gestures from the film industry was in evidence during the Kerala floods of 2018, and the Chennai floods of 2015. In 2015, during the Chennai floods, the actor Siddharth and RJ Balaji helped relief operations regardless of their professional commitments. They partnered with NGOs Bhoomika Trust (for Chennai) and Aid India (for Cuddalore). They also undertook long term rehabilitation plans like organising medical camps, rebuilding infrastructure, and creating livelihood for flood victims.
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Other celebrities like Vishal Krishna, Sivakumar and his family, Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan, Vikram Prabhu, singer Chinmayi and Geethanjali Selvaraghavan were among those who helped the victims of the flood.
Earlier this year, when Kerala floods submerged an entire state, actor Tovino Thomas opened up his house for the victims and offered them food and shelter. He also went to the affected areas, helped those affected by the floods, and went to relief camps helping cheer them up. Indrajith Sukumaran and wife Poornima Indrajith did their part through Anbodu Kochi.
Other celebrities like Jayasurya, Aju Varghese, Neeraj Madhav, Midhun Manuel Thomas were seen at relief centres organising and coordinating relief activities.
Pic source: Manoj Manchu on Twitter, CM Relief Fund