Giving them a Roof RC Golden Ramnad, D 3212, along with the Abdul Kalam Vision India Movement and the alumni of Syed Ammal Engineering College built houses for flood-affected victims at Cuddalore.

Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu was among those most severely affected by the November-December floods that caused major havoc across the Coromandel Coast of South India. Several people lost their homes, several lost their lives. Rotarians of RC Golden Ramnad, D 3212, along with other voluntary organisations and individuals rolled up their sleeves to provide relief to the flood victims in the town and its surrounding villages.

During one such mission, Vadivel, a villager, requested the team  to build houses for the families residing at his village, Poosarikuppam. The villagers had  lost everything in the floods and were living a life of absolute despair. Moved by his request, fundraising began to build houses and help the villagers.

With help from the alumni of Syed Ammal Engineering College, one of whose students donated Rs 1 lakh, the Abdul Kalam Vision India Movement, and support from other Rotary clubs of the District, funds were garnered and construction of homes began from December 25, 2015. At a cost of Rs 15 lakh, 21 houses were built in the village and the beneficiaries received the keys to their new homes on the festive Pongal day.

Ponraj Vellaichamy, former Scientific Advisor to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, appreciated the project and named the avenue, Abdul Kalam Nagar. He requested the Rotarians to educate the village children and undertake projects such as renovation of their schools, providing school books, uniforms, etc. DGN Chinna Durai Abdullah, D 3212, was also present at the inaugural event.  The club has plans to construct eight more houses in the village.

(The author is the Charter President of RC Golden Ramnad-D 3212)