Showing posts with label Assam Floods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Assam Floods. Show all posts
Salman Khan joins hands with NGO to rehabilitate the displaced in Assam; pledges to set up 500 houses
4:15 PM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 6, 2026)
On July 28, mid-day reported that Salman Khan’s foundation Being Human tied up with his fan clubs in Assam to distribute food among the affected as the state battled its worst flood in six decades (Stars and fans unite for Assam, July 28). Now, the actor and his team have begun the second phase of relief measures.
Khan has joined forces with the non-profit organisation, Global Sikhs, to rehabilitate the displaced. So far, they have built 220 semi-permanent houses in Nepali Khuti, which has been the worst hit village.
While rehabilitation was always part of Khan’s three-pronged plan, he accelerated it last week when he saw reels of Randeep Hooda carrying out on-ground relief operations. Apparently, the superstar got in touch with Hooda through a common friend.
“Randeep told Salman that under Global Sikhs’ relief efforts, 70 of them were working together. He also shared what they needed at the moment. Amarpreet Singh, the founder of Global Sikhs, told Salman that they were planning to build semi-permanent homes, made of bamboo and tin shed, that would be flood-proof and that each would cost between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000. Salman immediately joined hands with the foundation, and together they pledged to set up 500 houses,” said a source.
When mid-day reached out to Singh, he revealed that the rehabilitation process is being executed under the two foundations’ joint project, Aashiana.
He shared, “Salman Khan spoke to us a few days ago and said, ‘Aap log fikar mat karo’. Right now, Sivasagar is the worst affected and its epicentre is Nepali Khuti. In the first phase of building, 220 houses have been completed, and we’re distributing it per family. We can build eight to 10 houses a day.”
Salman Khan steps up to aid Assam flood victims with relief drive
9:21 AM
As Assam battles one of its worst floods, Salman Khan teams up with his fan club in the state to distribute food; Bhumi Pednekkar provides ration and hygiene kits
Upala KBR, Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 28, 2026)
Devastation and destruction have gripped Assam over the past 10 days, as the state has been battling one of its worst floods in recent years. In the wake of the floods, members of the Hindi film industry have begun mobilising relief efforts on the ground. mid-day has learnt that Salman Khan, who has been shooting Vamshi Paidipally’s yet-untitled next in Mumbai, has been coordinating with his fan club in Assam to distribute food and essential supplies to the state’s worst-hit areas.
A source close to the actor told mid-day, “He connected with the Salman Khan Fan Club [SKFC] Assam and planned a phased process to aid the affected.”
In the first phase of the initiative, Khan’s NGO Being Human has joined forces with the SKFC Assam to distribute ready-to-eat food packets in Sivasagar, from Guwahati.
“Each packet consists of biscuits, jaggery, poha, puffed rice, bread, cheese, and jam. Salman’s priority is to make sure families have enough food to last for at least three days until the situation improves,” added the source.
They are also distributing sanitary pads, mosquito coils, drinking water, and water purification tablets.
The second phase, to be started next week, will focus on distribution of ration kits and medicines. In the final phase, Being Human will undertake the responsibility of reconstructing schools and hospitals in severely affected areas.
Actor Bhumi Pednekkar has also extended support by partnering with Bharat Disaster Relief Foundation (BDRF), which is currently providing ration kits, hygiene kits, drinking water, and other essential supplies to families in Sivasagar.
A source said, “When Bhumi found out that BDRF was driving relief efforts in Assam, she partnered with the non-profit organization.”
My nieces are stuck in Assam floods-Adil Hussain
9:13 AM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 28, 2026)
Actor Adil Hussain, who was born and raised in Assam, says the state’s recurring floods continue to leave him “terribly angry, frustrated and sad,” as the situation there has remained unchanged since his childhood.
“The authorities haven’t been able to manage the situation. Unauthorized townships have grown, marshlands have been filled with industries and trees are being cut. There’s no investigation into how to reduce the misery of people facing this situation every year,” he says.
As Assam battle floods again, the 62-year-old says he has been in constant touch with singer Papon for updates while trying to help his own family stranded in the deluge. “My sisters’ daughters, my nieces and their respective husbands are stuck with flooding in their house in upper Assam’s Sivasagar. The family is looking for a way to help them,” he says.
Calling for a comprehensive flood management plan, Hussain shares, “Indian scientists are sending satellites to the moon and so many countries, including The Netherlands, have reclaimed land from the sea. So I cannot understand how government after government cannot find engineers, landscape planners and city planners to solve this issue.”
The death toll from this year’s Assam floods has reached 68, with more than 5.24 lakh people still affected in five districts.
No one has taken Assam floods seriously-Adil Hussain
8:21 AM
Etti Bali (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 21, 2020)
Assam is in a state of crisis as it is being ravaged by floods. An annual natural phenomenon, floods have claimed lives, crops, property in the north-eastern state time and again. As per Assam State Disaster Management Authority’s reports on July 19, 84 people have lost their lives and 2,400 villages devastated, taking the tally of total people affected to 25,29,312.
Actor Adil Hussain, whose home town is in Assam, says,“I don’t think anyone has taken it (the situation) seriously. All the governments since Independence... I don’t think anyone has bothered about it. There were quick-fixes, but no research [which I know of] has been done. The flood happens every year, at the same time, and the volume of water is almost the same. Even after that if we say we do not have a solution for it, I feel we are either lying or not trying hard.”
Hussain, 56, hails from Goalpara, and his mother still lives there. Despite being in a high-lying area, their house faces the threat of rising flood waters. “My family is still in a better position, but imagine the situation of the poor people and animals. They have so little and everything, including their papers, is washed away,” the English Vinglish (2012) and Delhi Crime actor shares, talking from his home in Delhi. But people’s resilience is what sees them through. “People have learned how to live with extreme difficulties,” he adds.
A lack of awareness about the North East and a “chalta hai” outlook is what Hussain feels contribute to apathy among the authorities and the people. “During floods, the animals from Kaziranga National Park cross over to higher lands, and in between is the national highway (NH 37). It is adjacent to Brahmaputra River... How can you build a national highway there? It does not take rocket science to understand this,” he rues.
Assam floods, this time, have been put on the global map, thanks to the tweets by international football clubs Arsenal and Chelsea. Some people from Bollywood, too, are voicing their concern. “Randeep (Hooda) is constantly in touch, trying to find out how the river behaves, and is talking to people. Richa Chadha and Rahul Dev are helping. Some directors have also come forward,” he says, adding, “It is about creating awareness. It doesn’t take much; it is the intention that counts. I don’t know how the posts by Arsenal and Chelsea will pan out in the long run, but it is on the world map now. It is wonderful to hear from people who can create public opinion about an issue which has existed for 70 years. You expect certain people to speak, so I was disappointed when it didn’t happen.”
Jahnu Barua donates proceeds of film's screening in Melbourne to flood-affected victims of Assam
8:20 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 15, 2019)
National Award-winning director Jahnu Barua's latest Assamese offering, Bhoga Khirikee, will have its world premiere at the ongoing Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) today. Barua's home state plays an integral role in his latest work — the Priyanka Chopra production makes a commentary on the socio-political situation of Assam in 2015 by narrating the story of a villager in the state. Deeply affected by the floods that have ravaged Assam, the filmmaker has decided to lend his support to those affected by the calamity. Barua, along with the IFFM, will donate the proceeds from the premiere's ticket sales towards Assam Flood Relief Fund that is rehabilitating those affected in the 33 districts.
"As filmmakers, it's our job to represent where we come from. My land is in deep trouble, and the people who are my muses for so many years are in great unhappiness and danger. I am glad that IFFM volunteered to do this. It is a step towards rebuilding the state and reiterating that human empathy trumps any destruction caused," says Barua. Post the screening, he will also discuss the widespread destruction in Assam and shed light on the infrastructural requirements of the state. IFFM director Mitu Bhowmick Lange adds, "It was essential to not only discuss a pressing problem in Assam, but do whatever we can to help them."
Akshay Kumar turns emcee to not 'offend' anyone at the trailer launch of Mission Mangal
2:31 PM
But Kirti Kulhari isn’t amused when called Kriti; Taapsee Pannu, Vidya Balan laugh off jokes
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 19, 2019)
Akshay Kumar who unveiled his Mission Mangal on Thursday, took centrestage as the self-appointed emcee, quipping tongue-in-cheek that it was to not ‘offend’ anyone. It was an obvious reference to Kangana Ranaut and her war of words with a journalist during a recent media interaction for her upcoming film, Judgementall Hai Kya. He addressed the controversy directly, likening the relationship between an actor and the media as that between a husband and wife. “We need you and you need us,” he pointed out, hoping the situation will be resolved soon.Bowing to his ‘army’ of leading ladies—Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Kirti Kulhari and Nithya Menen—Mr Khiladi joked that working with the five actresses hadn’t been easy because they treated him like a menu card, ordering different meals from his residence daily during the shoot. The banter continued with him ribbing Taapsee as a promoter of a jewellery brand in her desi bejewelled avatar.
When a reporter asked Vidya if she saw a National Award coming her way with this film, he butted in to say, “When Vidya was born, the nurse said ‘Congratulations, aapke yahaan National Award hua hai’.” There was an awkward moment with Kirti when he accidentally referred to her as ‘Kriti’, not once but twice. The actress responded by saying that she understands that he has worked with two ‘Kritis’ recently, but she wasn’t one of them. When Nithya tried to play mediator, Kirti pointed out that the other actors in the film didn’t mix up her name. Meanwhile, when asked if there had been any catfights, Vidya put rumours of tension on set to rest by saying, “We all are extremely secure.” Akshay, when asked about the film’s box office clash with Batla House, echoed John Abraham’s response, “Make some noise for the Desi Boys.”
Mr Khiladi then went on to inform that the budget of ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission had been Rs 450 crore, lesser than that of his film 2.0 which had Rs 500 crore invested in it. On the subject of money, when quizzed on his contribution to the Assam Flood Relief Fund, the actor said he doesn’t believe in expressing sadness on Twitter and hinted that even on the 20th anniversary of the Kargil War, he would show his support for the army by “doing something”.
The curtains came down with him saying if possible, he would like to go on Mars for a family vacation, also the moon and eventually even the sun.
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