Relief from State creates goodwill

Relief from State creates goodwill

More than 40 truckloads of relief material have reached Cuddalore from Karnataka in the last two weeks.

Deccan Herald

The Cauvery river water row may have caused animosity amongst the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the past. But the tsunami seems to have brewed goodwill among them. Karnataka’s generosity towards the victims of the December 26 disaster has warmed the cockles of the hearts of the people here.

In fact, every Karnataka vehicle which brings in relief material is welcomed with great fervour. On Sunday, as a team from an Adugodi Youth Association offered rice and aluminium vessels to the fisher folk of Devanapattinam, locals were singing the praise of the people of Karnataka. No exaggeration this. “We are grateful to the people of Karnataka. They have responded to our needs more than our own people,” said LIC agent Mr Thandapani, who escaped the tsunami waves.

“It reflects their love and affection. It shows unity. I have been watching so many vehicles come in with relief material from your State. Even the District Collector (Mr Gangandeep Singh Bedi) made a mention of this during this morning’s meeting with the fishermen here,” he added.

Impoverished fisher folk, crowded the tempo traveller, pressing to collect one kg of rice and a vessel from the Adugodi youngsters. Some people went home with a smile on their face, showing their pleasure of being cared by their neighbours.
People may say that police personnel are hard at heart. But the gesture of the Police Commissioner’s office from Bangalore should dispel such thoughts.
Commissioner S Mariswamy and his men sent a truck load of rice, clothes, utensils and water, endearing the community here.

Also four youngsters from Vijaynagar (Bangalore) drove to this fishing hamlet with Rs 40,000 worth of medicine and water. Santosh Kumar, Kiran Kumar, Avinash K Jagdish and Sachin Shet pooled the money themselves to help the victims.
From what we gather, more than 40 truck loads of relief material from Karnataka has reached the devastated coastal belt in the last two weeks. The people here will not be surprised if more and more help pours in from across the border.
Should we say, thank you Karnataka?