West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Siliguri, August 5: The compassionate initiative to support people affected by the devastating floods in Assam, the Muktadhara Foundation, a voluntary organisation based in Siliguri, has stepped forward with relief and humanitarian assistance. A team led by the organisation’s head, Kaveri Chandra Sarkar, is leaving for Sivasagar and Jorhat districts of Assam carrying essential relief materials for flood-hit communities. The team has also decided to assist in the cremation of people who lost their lives in the floods, including unidentified bodies awaiting proper last rites.

The organisation, around one to one-and-a-half tonnes of dry food and other essential supplies are being taken to the affected areas. The relief consignment includes nearly 500 kilograms of flattened rice, commonly known as chira, along with other dry food items contributed through the initiative of Siliguri resident Mousumi Pal. The supplies will be distributed among families and individuals who are facing severe hardship in the flood-affected areas.

The initiative comes at a time when large parts of Assam are struggling with the consequences of the floods, with many people displaced from their homes and facing difficulties in accessing food and other basic necessities. The Muktadhara Foundation said its primary objective is to reach people who are in urgent need of assistance and provide support at the grassroots level.

Mousumi Pal said that the devastating natural calamity has caused immense suffering to people across Assam. Expressing confidence in the humanitarian work being carried out by Kaveri Chandra Sarkar and her team, she said she decided to contribute relief materials so that they could be delivered directly to people affected by the disaster. She hoped the assistance would provide some relief to families struggling through the difficult situation.

Kaveri Chandra Sarkar said the team’s mission would go beyond distributing relief materials. Apart from providing dry food and other necessities to flood victims, the members would also try to help with the proper last rites of those who died during the disaster. Particular attention would be given to unidentified bodies and cases where families or relatives are unable to arrange cremation or other necessary rites.

The Muktadhara Foundation said the team would assess the situation after reaching Sivasagar and Jorhat and extend assistance according to the needs of the affected communities. The organisation believes that during a natural disaster, humanitarian support should reach people without discrimination and that every possible effort must be made to stand beside those who have lost their homes, livelihoods or family members.

The departure of the Siliguri-based team reflects a growing spirit of community solidarity during times of natural calamity. By combining relief distribution with support for the dignified cremation of flood victims, the Muktadhara Foundation is seeking to address both the immediate and deeply human consequences of the Assam floods.

The team heads towards the affected districts with a substantial quantity of relief materials, its members have expressed their determination to remain beside the distressed people and provide whatever assistance is possible. The initiative is expected to bring essential support to several flood-affected families while also offering dignity and compassion to those who lost their lives in the disaster.