After being hit by the worst floods in over a century, Kerala is struggling to rebuild itself. 265 people have died since August 8 and the government has estimated that Rs. 21,000 crore will be needed to rebuild the state. Rescue operations now over, the focus has shifted to providing relief and rehabilitation to the over one million people displaced by the floods.
With a very specific goal of enabling the rebuilding of villages in the worst-affected districts and providing immediate assistance in terms of rehabilitation and food kits to people, NDTV, in partnership with Tata Sky, had organised a special telethon. NDTV's #IndiaForKerala telethon raised over Rs 10.4 crore to help people worst-affected by the floods to rebuild their lives. All donations will go directly to NDTV partner NGO Plan India.
NDTV chose to report on this massive crisis with unwavering focus and commitment; having done that, now NDTV looks as it always does, to go beyond the news and make a difference to people's lives.
Here are the highlights of #IndiaForKerala campaign by NDTV:
#IndiaForKerala | Over Rs 10.1 crore raised so far by NDTV's telethon for Kerala https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
To donate, call 011-41577789 or log onto https://t.co/tA78XkadeO
An NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky. pic.twitter.com/iYpUCiKGhG
- Our employees have contributed for the tragedy in Kerala.
- Floods in Kerala have left a huge trail of devastation. In Jammu and Kashmir too, we have seen similar devastation. As responsible citizens, we are just giving it back to the society.
#IndiaForKerala | Thousands of houses have been destroyed in Kerala's #Alappuzha. There is dire need for food and clean drinking water.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
As Kerala battles the worst floods in almost a century, NDTV brings reports from the ground. pic.twitter.com/etuQdT89iw
Faber-Castell Donates Rs 3 Lakh At #IndiaForKerala TelethonFaber-Castell's HR Director Arti Aggarwal bought 11-year-old artist Aarav Verma's painting for Rs 11 lakh at the NDTV-Tata Sky #IndiaForKerala telethon. Aarav's painting was completed onstage during the telethon. The funds will be used to rebuild the flood-ravaged state of Kerala. Praising the painting by Aarav, Arti Aggarwal said that buying the painting was Faber-Castell's way of helping people in Kerala. Donate now for Kerala flood relief.
#IndiaForKerala | "Inspirational to see unity during Kerala floods crisis," says @shrutihaasan on NDTV's telethon https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6 .
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Call 011-41577789 to donate
An NDTV initiative in partnership with @TataSky pic.twitter.com/H6tEcq4cSM
- We need to do the best we can in terms of contributing. Monetary or otherwise.
- The disaster is in the news, we should not forget it later on. We should make governments accountable and dig deeper to see what are the causes of it.
- Some say the disaster happened because "God is upset with us" I think we should dig deeper
- Why are we always waking up after the damage is done?
#IndiaForKerala @shilparao11 singing #Bulleya at @ndtv's telethon.
- Rohit Khilnani (@rohitkhilnani) August 26, 2018
Rs 9.3 cr raised for #Kerala pic.twitter.com/qJYNl8s9gJ
- The Kerala rescue and relief efforts are also a great example of commendable partnership between Army, Navy, NDRF. Our focus here on should be on sustainability
- Comprehensive planning is the need of the hour
#IndiaForKerala | "It is a colossal tragedy, have to rebuild a better Kerala," says @ShashiTharoor on NDTV's telethon https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Call 011-41577789 to donate.
An NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky pic.twitter.com/rK9LxbePI8
NDTV special program on Kerala flood donation, Flood Relief Fund. Contribute for flood relief at our location. We'll keep bringing you non-stop live updates of Kerala on our channels and online.
Abhishek Bachchan Bats For Awareness On How Kerala Can Be HelpedRecounting his experiences of being stuck in the 2005 Mumbai and 2015 Chennai floods, actor Abhishek Bachchan at the NDTV-Tata Sky #IndiaForKerala telethon said that creating awareness on how Kerala can be helped was most important, so that people know how they can contribute.
#indiaforkerala telethon has raised 9.3 crores. Pls donate if you haven't already. 🙏🙏 we're coming live to you from Bombay till 9 pm to raise funds
- Suparna Singh (@Suparna_Singh) August 26, 2018
#IndiaForKerala | Over Rs 9.2 crore raised so far by NDTV's telethon https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
To donate, call 011-41577789 or log onto https://t.co/tA78XkadeO
An NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky. pic.twitter.com/aqyluSFs8A
Priya Dutt Says Priority Must Be Given To EnvironmentCongress leader Priya Dutt expressed sadness over the grim situation in Kerala, saying that similar situations have been witnessed earlier in Mumbai and Bihar. At the NDTV-Tata Sky #IndiaForKerala telethon, Ms Dutt said that disaster like these have phases, which begin with rescue operations.
- We are on mobilisation drive to collect funds for Chief Minister's distress fund. We urge people to lend their hand in rebuilding and reconstruction
- Floods have washed away roads etc. Even bridges have collapse. Electricity and telephone lines have been affected
- Losses amount to some 20,000 crores. The state of Kerala is facing the worst tragedy ever
- Kerala has showed confidence in the government. The path to recovery could be long and the state alone cannot bear the expenditure
- You too can make a difference by holding our hand
- The kind of extreme events we see in Kerala are going to repeat itself
- Even if Kerala had a pristine environment, this would have still happened. We will witness some part of the country undergoing extreme climate events
- After the 2015 floods in Jammu and Kashimr, people are still struggling. It may be worse for Kerala. We need to come together
#IndiaForKerala | "We have to pledge today to ensure Kerala does not happen again": @NITIAayog's @RajivKumar1 on NDTV's telethon https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Call 011-41577789 to donate.
An NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky pic.twitter.com/2TwC4bnAOL
- I have been stuck in two floods in Mumbai and in Chennai (in 2015). I was safe and dry but I can relate to those stuck in a disaster
- First, all of us need to be aware how we can help. Help create awareness
- We should be very proud of our armed forces, volunteers and the heroes. This goes to show that there is a lot of unity. I appeal to contribute in whatever way. Not just financial help, please go out and do whatever little you can do
- All of us in film industry have done, are doing whatever we can for Kerala
- I have shot a lot of films in the state of Kerala. My fraternity is empathetic to the tragedy and we are available to do all that we can
- The first thing that comes to mind is we need to come together to help Kerala. I will convince my colleagues to do the same
- We have to pledge today to ensure what happened in Kerala does not happen again. We at NITI Aayog will be focusing our attention on it
- We have brought out a report on water issues. We are also trying to analyse the disasters
- We are trying to gather data from all the states to understand natural calamities
Child artist Aarav Verma shows off his incredible painting skills on NDTV #IndiaForKerala telethon
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
The artwork will go on sale and the funds will be used to rehabilitate families in the worst-affected areas.
Call 011-41577789 to donate. Watch LIVE: https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6 pic.twitter.com/1XLKsVp4qn
The 1st responders from Trivandrum, the tech volunteers, young profs who sensitised people in Kerala through social media about flood relief. They set up 1st camp, 70 plus truck loads of relief material sent, 1000 volunteers working at B-Hub @bhubglobal @ndtv #IndiaForKerala pic.twitter.com/ZGh8W0QBls
- Amitoj Singh (@JohnnyAmitoj) August 26, 2018
Shaan's Soulful Rendition of Vaishnav Jan To At #IndiaForKerala TelethonBelieving that music can salve the agony experienced from the tragedy in Kerala, singer Shaan performed at the NDTV-Tata Sky #IndiaForKerala telethon. Accompanied by musician-singer Ankur Tewari, Shaan sang a rendition of the famous bhajan Vaishnav Jan To.
Kerala Floods: Nitin Gadkari's Pledge At NDTV's #IndiaForKerala TelethonUnion minister Nitin Gadkari today appealed to every citizen to pitch in to help Kerala get back on its feet after the devastating floods which, early estimates maintain, caused damages to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore. Much of the state's infrastructure facilities -- good roads, communication network and hospitals - will now have to be rebuilt, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
- Unfortunately, this wont be the last time that we are facing such a situation. India is living in a climate change era.
- Today is not a day when we blame someone. But nothing will change if we do not learn from the disaster.
- If Kerala- that has an impressive GDP, has a literacy rate that sets the bar for other states - cannot fend for its needs, imagine how it would be for other states.
- We have over 1 million people living in relief camps
- If people go back to their homes, they have no electricity, no utensils. But people of Kerala have demonstrated immense resilience. People working in relief camps have been working tirelessly
- A self help group of women working across villages helps Kerala bounce back. Hundreds of volunteers also offer help
- We need plenty of money to put things back in place
- An estimate of how much money we need is difficult to make. We will know for sure only after the water level resides completely
#IndiaForKerala | "Let's help rebuild Kerala," says @mkoirala.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
NDTV's special 6-hour telethon to raise funds for Kerala https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6. To donate, call 011-41577789.
This is an NDTV initiative in partnership with @TataSky pic.twitter.com/EgzZ0DRYZl
- We have been talking of damage to nature. But we forget animals our a part of nature. Kerala lacks infrastructure for animals
- We have crossed the 4 figure mark with regards to the number of animals we have rescued
- They need equal help. Animals went through a huge deal of pain. Some animals were treated on site, some picked up
Kala Gopi, community worker from ASHA - accomodated around 30 people from her locality, in a boat that was sent to save her ,even before rescue teams could reach. They did their bit to save. Do yours to #RebuildKerala #IndiaForKerala . #Kerala @ndtv pic.twitter.com/PCYJa3XxWd
- Sneha Koshy (@SnehaMKoshy) August 26, 2018
Representatives of all three military services talk about Kerala relief and rescue operations on NDTV's special 6-hour telethon
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Watch LIVE now https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6 . Call 011-41577789 to donate.
This is an NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky. pic.twitter.com/GPYCQG540D
Resul Pookutty Prioritises Cleaning Up Efforts In Kerala Post FloodsAcademy Award winning sound designer Resul Pookutty at the NDTV-Tata Sky #IndiaForKerala telethon said that he had appealed to national media during the time of crisis as rescue of people was the main concern.
#IndiaForKerala | Rs 5.7 crore raised so far by NDTV's telethon. Thank you to everyone who has donated.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Watch LIVE now https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6. Call 011-41577789 to donate.
This is an NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky. pic.twitter.com/E6dcjrMDj4
Conrad Sangma Says Every Citizen Should Lend Kerala A Helping HandMeghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma thanked NDTV for organising the #IndiaForKerala telethon. Mr Sangma said that we should come together, and do all that could be done to help Kerala, as such a disaster can strike any other state. Speaking of north-east, Mr Sangma said that the region has experienced floods in the past.
- We have not only seen this in Mumbai but also in Kosi, Bihar. We worked there for 3 months.
- The first thing you think of is survival. The second is getting resources together and the third phase is rebuilding.
- Development is great but not at the cost of lives. This is not just in Kerala. In a lot of other places, we are seeing the natural resources are being damaged for "development" This is not what people need.
Watch @singer_shaan live on @ndtv.
- Rohit Khilnani (@rohitkhilnani) August 26, 2018
Rs 5.60 cr raised so far for Kerala!#IndiaForKerala
Watch, Donate, Rebuild #India #Kerala pic.twitter.com/rAyI6dlRda
#IndiaForKerala | Aarav Verma, a child artist, painting live on stage. The artwork will go on sale and the funds will be used to rehabilitate families in the worst-affected areas.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Watch live: NDTV's special 6-hour telethon https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6.
Call 011-41577789 to donate. pic.twitter.com/0zAnwfzQ3W
Pradeep Bhavnani Donates Rs 5 Crore At #IndiaForKerala TelethonPradeep Bhavnani, a stockbroker, has contributed an amount of Rs 5 crore at the #IndiaForKerala telethon. Mr Bhavnani, who had earlier contributed a similar amount to Japan, said that irrespective of religion, caste and creed, the immediate priority should be to provide relief to Kerala. Mr Bhavnani said that the government should provide an immediate relief amount of Rs 2,600 crore to Kerala.
- Humanity has no religion. We have to focus on Kerala. We don't have to focus on the politics of it.
- The state has suffered a loss of Rs 20,000 to 30,000 crore. The centre needs to give immediate relief.
- Our immediate focus should be providing relief, nothing else, not the economics, not the politics.
.@jimmysheirgill checks-in at #IndiaForKerala Telethon
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Donate now for Kerala Flood Reliefhttps://t.co/OSaQRB5Yba pic.twitter.com/DN6952iuRT
Singers Nitin Kumar And Renu Nagar Perform At The #IndiaForKerala TelethonIndian Idol contestants Nitin Kumar and Renu Nagar performed at the NDTV-Tata Sky #IndiaForKerala telethon. The duo sung a soulful melody Jeete Hain Chal, which encouraged all to keep up with the spirit of life and brave all odds to live life on a positive note. The song, addressed to all those suffering from the ravaging floods in Kerala, encouraged them to remain optimistic about life despite all the hardships endured. Donate now for Kerala flood relief.
- We have seen some houses with about 4 feet of muck inside
- That phase when over 2 lakh people were in flooded areas is over now. The next step is to clear muck.
- A policeman, a friend, took the initiative of cleaning 50 houses. We have to do this and much more.
#IndiaForKerala | "Give all that you can to help Kerala stand on its feet again": Union Minister @nitin_gadkari to NDTV.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Watch NDTV's 6-hour telethon to raise funds for Kerala https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6
Call 011-41577789 to donate.
An NDTV initiative in partnership with @TataSky pic.twitter.com/0lgSGDEC6t
#IndiaForKerala | 'Help Kerala,' urges @RanaDaggubati.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
NDTV's special 6-hour telethon to raise funds for Kerala - watch LIVE https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6
Call 011-41577789 to donate
An NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky pic.twitter.com/PCEKBTLXiD
Incidents Like Kerala Floods Show Each Of Us Care For One Another: Rana DaggubatiActor Rana Daggubati at the NDTV-Tata Sky #IndiaForKerala telethon said that the Kerala floods showed how each of us cared for one another. The actor said that unlike other disasters, Kerala had become inaccessible and relief material could not be sent into the state.
- Like the Army and Navy spokesperson said, situation is much better.
- Our helicopters are on stand by. The medical teams are in worst affected areas.
- Yesterday, Indian Air Force contributed Rs 20 crore - contribution of one day salary of all Indian Air Force personnel
- Indian Navy has called off the operation Madad. This does not mean that rescue operations are halted. Medical team are on the ground.
- Lot of relief material coming from Andaman, other areas.
- Damage would not be much as the inundation was due to fresh water. People of Kerala have shown immense resilience.
#IndiaForKerala: "The least we can do is send out some money. But as citizens, we need to do much more," says @Javedakhtarjadu.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Watch live - NDTV's special 6-hour telethon to raise funds for Kerala https://t.co/hMlRpgrUU6
Call 011-41577789 to donate. pic.twitter.com/pHXDcZjx8t
Rs 25,000 to 30,000 Crore Required To Rebuild Kerala: Thomas IsaacKerala's Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said that the state is suffering from large-scale economic damage. Damage to crops, loss of income for labourers and tourism industry coming to a standstill has hurt the state's economy. Over Rs 3,000 crore is required to rebuild people's livelihoods in the state, Mr Isaac said.
- When I heard of this initiative by NDTV, I thought that I should come forward and be there
- I want to tell people of Kerala to hold on to their strength. There will be better days. I want everyone to support Kerala.
- We have to give immediate orders for repairing national highways so that transportation and commutation is convenient
- It is a huge tragedy, but the whole country stands with the state at this time
- Climate change is the harsh reality
- We have decided to make cemented roads in areas where there is heavy rain so that damage is minimum
- There is drought and then there is rain. Just the way power grids are created, we will focus on water grids for judicious use of water resources
- To transfer water from one basin to another is another area of focus
- We will have to tie up with World Bank to cover capital cost
- I want to appeal to the citizens the tragedy is not for just in one state. We have to think about "Sabka sath, sabka vikas".
- The country needs to support the flood-hit state. Give all that you can to help Kerala stand on its feet again.
- We can't even estimate the magnitude of disaster. Once the water recedes, there would be many health challenges.
- The least we can do is send out some money. But as citizens, we need to much more.
- Tourism industry comes to a standstill. All this requires immediate assistance. We have to run camps, we need to compensate people. There have been major losses in assets, crops and infrastructure
- We estimate 10,000 Crores just for infrastructure rebuilding
- We need 25,000-30,000 crores totally for rebuilding Kerala
- There has been serious ecological imbalance
Tune into NDTV channels and online today 3 pm onwards for a special 6-hour telethon to help rebuild Kerala.
#IndiaForKerala | Please help - Kerala needs you after being destroyed by the worst floods in over a century.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Tune into NDTV channels and online today 3 pm onwards for a special 6-hour telethon to help rebuild Kerala.
An NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky pic.twitter.com/HgunAKo9PF
WATCH | A government school in Kerala has been turned into relief camp for the flood-affected people.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Over 260 people have been killed in #KeralaFloods that is the worst in over a century.#IndiaForKerala #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/5EkAW8jWLM
After Devastating Floods, Kerala May See A Decline In TourismAfter immense damage caused due to devastating floods , Kerala is staring at a 4 to 5 percent decline in footfalls if the tourism sector does not pick up from October, a senior tourism official has said.
A few tribal settlements at Mangulam in Kerala's Idukki district cut off as the flooded river destroys a key road on the western ghats 3000 ft high. Around 250 families say they don't get supplies. Officials say provisions being sent. pic.twitter.com/GdEvGO6ypM
- J Sam Daniel Stalin (@jsamdaniel) August 26, 2018
#KeralaFloods challenge! Differentiate between backwaters and paddy lands in #Kerala's Kuttanad - known as the state's rice bowl. Massive economic losses to households, state ! Loss of employment! And, mounting loans for families! #NDTV #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/s2RmkVXlL6
- Sneha Koshy (@SnehaMKoshy) August 26, 2018
#HappyOnam Ironic that a harvest festival is being celebrated in the midst of devastation. But Kerala has experienced a different harvest of goodwill and support from all over our country. And as this video shows (#whatsappwonderbox ) the Spirit&Genius of Kerala is undiminished! pic.twitter.com/4xo9vaSFtw
- anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 25, 2018
Onam 2018: Spirit Of Onam Stays Afloat As Kerala Struggles To Stand Up After FloodsIndia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with people of Kerala. #MannKiBaat https://t.co/AVf4Sj8nB1 pic.twitter.com/0BRKb0R49E
- narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) August 26, 2018
People across length and breadth of India have come in support of people in Kerala. #MannKiBaat https://t.co/AVf4Sj8nB1 pic.twitter.com/4v8fUpjEgt
- narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) August 26, 2018
PM @narendramodi appreciates Armed personnel, NDRF teams and all others involved in the rescue and relief operations in Kerala. #MannKiBaat https://t.co/AVf4Sj8nB1 pic.twitter.com/aDH8qyjOsQ
- narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) August 26, 2018
Plight Of Farmers After Kerala Floods In IdukkiMangulam area of Idukki that was once a fertile farmland is now a bed of stones. Farmer recounts the tragedy and the challenges they face.
WATCH | "Relief forces did very good job, coordinated very well," says Air Marshal B Suresh while addressing a joint press conference in Thiruvananthapuram#IndiaForKerala pic.twitter.com/X1MFm97FGZ
- NDTV Videos (@ndtvvideos) August 26, 2018
- Tourism, which is one of the biggest economic boost for Kerala has taken a hit since the floods ravaged major parts of the state.
- A senior tourism official was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying that Kerala is staring at 4 to 5 per cent decline in footfalls if the sector does not pick up from October.
- The busiest airport in Kochi has been shut for over 10 days, starting August 16 and is expected to resume operations only from August 29.
- Kochi and Ernakulum regions, which have been under the waters for almost two weeks, accounts to close to 52 per cent of all tourism in the state, PTI reported, quoting a Care Rating report.
#IndiaForKerala | Please help - Kerala needs you after being destroyed by the worst floods in over a century.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 26, 2018
Tune into NDTV channels and online today 3 pm onwards for a special 6-hour telethon to help rebuild Kerala.
An NDTV special initiative in partnership with @TataSky pic.twitter.com/HgunAKo9PF
https://t.co/IBv7qQTUwG. Alleppey: Response to my tweet overwhelming. Registration of volunteers from outside the district is near 3000. As most of the acco. space is already taken over camps you will have to put up with bare necessities if you're coming on 27th. Pl. bear with us
- Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) August 26, 2018
