Star Fan Clubs Raise Funds, Carry Out Relief Work In Flood-Hit Kerala

Incessant rains continue to batter Kerala with the death toll rising to over 180 since August 8. A red alert has been issued across the state and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced Rs 500 crores financial assistance to the flood-ravaged state. On Independence Day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had appealed for generous contributions to help the people in flood affected areas.

Help is trickling in. Stories of rescue missions being carried out by the disaster management agencies are emerging. Citizens, in their individual capacity, are sending relief materials to the flood hit districts of Kerala. Film personalities too have been contributing to the Chief Minister’s relief fund (CMDRF). Mohanlal, Allu Arjun, Suriya and Karthi, Kamal Haasan, Mammootty and Dulquer Salmaan, Vijay Devarakonda have contributed to the relief funds and many others have shared the details on social media urging fans to contribute.

There are, however, star fans who are carrying out relief work in Kerala without any monetary help from the star himself. One such conscientious citizen is Arun Dev, a guest lecturer in Government ITI College in Kottayam. He is the founder of the Kerala Vijay Fan Club. Along with his other club members, he has been taking relief materials to the affected people.

Arun told Silverscreen that there are fans from 14 districts in Kerala who are collecting funds for relief material. He said, “Nearly 99 per cent of the funds are from the union members, while the remaining one per cent is from non-members. We don’t depend on anyone and we transport the relief materials to the affected places using our own vehicles.” The club members have been sending food grains, packaged food items, sanitary items like soaps, shampoo, sanitary pads.

Since last one week, the state has witnessed landslides, with Idukki being the worst affected district. For the first time in the history of the state sluice gates of 27 dams were opened. Relief camps have been set across Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Wayanad districts, and people have been pouring in to seek refuge in these relief camps. Over  three lakh people have been moved to relief camps across the state.

Vijay’s fan clubs in Bengaluru are also helping their Kottayam counterpart with relief materials. All this work is being carried out voluntarily without any aid or communication from their star. “Our fan club members will also be visiting the rain affected places and distribute relief materials. We are carrying out these activities for our Vijay anna,” said Arun.

Similarly, the Kodumbu unit of the All Kerala Ajith Fans distributed food materials, clothes and medicines to the flood affected people. It’s the members who raised funds for the relief materials. The registered union has executive members from all 14 districts and has provided aid in districts like Wayanad, Idukki.

Unaise, a union member from Kasaragod, said that they have been able to reach out to over 5,000 affected people. He, however, refused to disclose the total amount that the group has collected. He said, “More than thousand people are involved in flood relief activities. They have been contributing money and collecting essential materials. They are also helping in transportation.”

Most of these fans who have been doing relief work have not met their star. “Thala Ajith unites us and we are doing these welfare activities in his name,” said Unaise.

Meanwhile, film stars and celebrities are encouraging people on social media to contribute to the CMDRF: