Little, by Little, a Little becomes a LOT !!!

Most of us would have come across this famous Tanzanian proverb and that is how actually the change happens. In times of severe catastrophe caused by mother nature; we as a society need to come together & share the responsibility of helping the affected community.

The Chennai floods of December 2015, left around 150000 street vendors affected with an average loss of 10000 - 20000 Rs per vendor.

In this hour of need, a basic necessity like milk packet was being sold for rs 100, five times more than the average price of a packet. The citizens were not only suffering from the unending showers, but also had lost their homes, and access to food for a period of 5 days. Water, another basic necessity, didn't escape this high inflated prices and was being sold at rs 100 per bottle.

The transportation was at a standstill in the city, this further resulted in the cost of available and leftover grains and vegetables soaring high and with some citizens hoarding these basic commodities, the city further suffered.

Apart from basic necessities, numerous accounts of price gouging were reported throughout the city. Ranging from inflated fuel prices, for transportation to help relocate those affected. To Sky-High one way airfares; that was now upto 10 times the cost of a normal round trip ticket.

In continuation of our efforts to provide relief to the flood ridden city of Chennai. The A R Rahman Foundation sponsored provisions for the families of the Film Employees Federation of South India; that were donated by our trustee Ms Fatima Rafiq.

These donations were made as an effort by the foundation to support our ever growing family of musicians and to ensure that relief is provided to all the members of their families that can have access to food, while the city struggled to come back on its feet.

In times like this, showing solidarity with the community is of utmost importance to the foundation. To show your support for our relief programs; you can contribute today by clicking this link.

- Vidhi G Bhanushali

Manager - Sponsorship & Grant

Charity sees the need; Not the cause.

Chennai, a city that is in the grip of blistering heat almost throughout the year, has never let the bright sun or the heat ever stop its residents from leading a normal life.

image courtesy: Indian Air Force Relief Operation Tamil Nadu

The high spirited & culture loving Chennaites have accepted the heat as part of their life with open arms. Yet, when the first rain drop touches the heat ridden scorching earth, the smell of the soil makes everyone breathe a sigh of relief. 

With the onset of monsoon, the Chennaites, who are now in a celebratory mood enjoying a much deserved break from the heat; are yet unaware of the wrath mother nature is holding to unleash upon them. 

On the morning of 1st December 2015, the city began the day as any other normal day and the citizens resumed their daily routine. By afternoon half the city was submerged in water with the power supply and telephone lines out of function.

What seemed like just another routine day was slowly turning into a nightmare. Awaiting them were more 72 hours of rain showers and cloud bursts. 

The joy of welcoming the monsoon, had now undoubtedly turned into a disaster; and one of the worst floods the city had ever seen, over 500 people lost their lives with many more permanently injured.

Apart from the loss of human life, the impact of damage to property and loss of animals is unimaginable. The floods nearly left 1,80,000 citizens displaced and dislocated from their temporary settlements.

In the hour of need, the A R Rahman Foundation stood up to support the citizens and contributed Rs 25,00000/- towards the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

In case of a need, your contribution shall always matter. You can support our foundation and play your role to ensure the continuation of other disaster relief projects or support one of the many causes of the foundation.

Vidhi G Bhanushali
Manager - Sponsorship & Grant.