06/12/2015
Story of Chennai. The Rise of Humanity. When the Public system fails, control shifts to people.
Last couple of days has been the most difficult times for anyone in and from Chennai. The disaster that this living generation in Chennai has not seen (biggest in 114 years).
As a helpless Chennaite living outside the city, watching my city in trouble and worried for my family and friends. I could get my strength and peace from seeing the way my CITYZENS taking control of the situation.
From a private weatherman ( ), private control room (15 volunteers who helped locate people who can help and who need help. Connected using Whatsapp, Telegram, Mobiles and social network). The Heros ( ) in action- and many many more. Even the infamous many of them who saved lives and helped people. who have come forward to support people get back to normalcy. Special people like who helped Mohan and chitra (named their baby Yunus). who asked a lady to pay for the medicines later whenever she could, as the POS failed. A big salute to you and the multitude of other volunteers.
The multitude of volunteers helping and touching the lives of people from all walks of life. Muslims and Christians in Parthasarathy temple, Hindus and Christians in Mosques, Hindus and Muslims in Churches. Where is ??? This is not relevant here, coz we don’t have the politicians here.
Thanks to for having waived EMI penalty, for making calls to Chennai free, and for letting us track our loved ones, sending and managing SOS messages, for providing free Data and voice calls, for free bus services, for helping world notice us. And many many many more responsible corporates and brands.
We practically ran the relief efforts with the help of the .
We had crowd sourced information on flood affected areas, maps, spreadsheets of data on supplies availability and location. We know how to use data to our benefit.
Almost all the Malls, Cinema Halls, Hospitals, Schools, Colleges, Temples, Churches, Mosques opened doors for people. Unknown opening up their homes to complete strangers to provide shelter and food.
SOS messages seeking help with medicines, oxygen tanks, needing boats to get to safe location, pregnant women, senior citizens needing help. Messages to trace people who have lost their beloved outside Chennai. Tips of motor insurance. The help was at hand for most who reached out. The turn around time was much faster than the government machinery.
While we saw the ineffective public leaders making a mockery of themselves proving to be of little or no use (delayed help is also ineffective). the lowest point someone could get to.
There is abundance of food, love, gratitude, help, volunteers and above all humanity. Volunteers helping people with a smile and saving lives with a concern.
Blame game. Self-inflicted disaster. Lake encroachments . Almost all modern cities in India has ignored nature and went/going ahead in similar developmental mode. All you people may want to take a leaf out of our experiences and maybe want to mend your ways COZ YOU ARE NOT CHENNAI.
DAI NAANGA CHENNAI DA....
