Malayalees in Meghalaya seek donation for flood-hit

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: An organization of people from Kerala settled in different parts of the country on Wednesday has said that it will not celebrate Onam this year in view of the worst-ever flood that lashed the State since 1924.

“We’ve decided to cancel Onam celebrations on September 9 and instead donate the money that we have raised to the Chief Minister Disaster Relief Fund,” president of the All India Malayalee Association (AIMA), Meghalaya State unit, G Pradeep Pillai said.

The AIMA also said that as an organization in Meghalaya it has already raised funds for the relief of the flood victims.

“However, being a small community (in Meghalaya) we appeal to the generous and helpful people of the State to kindly be part of the #Rebuild Kerala campaign by being a volunteer for contributing to the #CMDRF Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund account in various banks,” the AIMA, Meghalaya State Unit, said.

The president of the Meghalaya State unit of the AIMA also said that on August 20 they submitted a letter to the State Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma appealing to him for help.

Meghalaya State unit of the AIMA also said that in the letter to Conrad, they have sought skilled and other type of labourers to rebuild Kerala.

“There would be a huge requirement of skilled and unskilled manpower for rebuilding Kerala and we work together for such an initiative,” Pillai said.

He said that anyone willing to work in restoring infrastructures in Kerala, remuneration will be high.

The Meghalaya Unit of the AIMA also thanked the State Government for contributing Rs 1 crore for relief purpose.

Pillai also said that the Meghalaya unit of the AIMA has not received any distress calls from people of the state working or studying in Kerala.