In the wake of Kerala witnessing one of its worst natural disasters, actor Randeep Hooda, who personally went there to help those affected, gives us a ground reality of the situation…
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 26, 2018)

On his birthday, August 20, Randeep Hooda left for Kerala as a volunteer of Khalsa Aid to help in whatever way he could to rehabilitate those affected by the floods. Before returning to Mumbai on Friday night, he spoke to us from Kochi to give us the real picture of the situation at hand.

Randeep shuttled between Kochi and Alleppey, to help out people in relief camps set in flood-hit regions. Speaking of the situation, he said, “Food availability is not a problem, but lack of drinking water is. Also, people need basic amenities like mosquito nets and medicines. It’s sunny here for the past few days, so it will help the water recede. Rescue operations are underway. Some people are in the camps and some have begun to return to their homes, but it’s not over yet. This is going to take a while. The emergency crisis is under control, but the bigger problem begins once the water goes down. There’s no danger to life anymore, but the focus will have to be on preventing an outbreak of diseases, rehabilitation of those affected and rebuilding their homes. This is a huge process. There is a requirement of skilled people who can help do that. People’s homes are full of muck. They might be prone to diseases because of the water-logging and the damage done. Helping people clean and rebuild their homes is most important now and that will be the aim of the volunteers stationed here.”

While people have appreciated the actor’s initiative of personally being there for the people of Kerala, he is deeply inspired by their undying spirit and dignity. He said, “The rehabilitation process there is testament to the undying human spirit of the people of Kerala. The helping attitude and dignity of the locals has been most inspirational. There is so much of self-respect and gratitude. People have a tendency to hoard stuff, but even in a crisis situation like this, not a single person in the relief camps asked for more than what he/she required. They only took what they needed. The Keralite dignity and spirit is astounding. The fishermen in particular have been exceptional. They are going out of their way to help people. Also, we cannot thank our Armed Forces enough for their relentless efforts.”

Speaking of what drew him towards this cause, he said, “The Sikh sentiment of ‘seva’ and their way of seeing the whole human race as one inspires me. The whole country has come together for Kerala. Some are donating and some are on field helping those affected. It has been an eye-opening experience.”