Islanders offer helping hand to Wayanad

Kochi: As aid is pouring in from all corners of the country to support the people of landslide-hit Wayanad, islanders in the neighbouring Lakshadweep are also doing their bit.
Fathima Amna, a Class II student at Agatti Government Junior Basic School North, is winning hearts here for donating her savings – which she had been saving for two years to fulfil her dream of owning a new bicycle – to the disaster-stricken region.
The stories of compassion and empathy she heard from her school and family members inspired Amna, a resident of Amini Island, to undertake this noble endeavour. Other students at the school, motivated by Amna’s actions, also made contributions.
Teachers at all schools in the islands of the archipelago also came together to collect Rs 8 lakh, which was remitted to the chief minister’s relief fund (CMDRF).
“Visuals from Wayanad, especially those of the school in Chooralmala, were heart-wrenching. We coordinated with teachers in various islands and paid the sum. Apart from teachers, schoolchildren from islands like Kiltan, Chetlat, Kadamat, etc. have also paid their piggy bank savings to the relief fund,” said a schoolteacher from Kavaratti.
Students of APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Senior Secondary School in Chetlat Island also held a donation drive to assist Wayanad.
Under the leadership of NCC and NSS volunteers, Rs 53,8000 was collected for remittance to CMDRF. General public, NGOs, self-help groups, teachers, and students made donations to the drive, which began on July 31.