During the recent floods that ravaged our city, when waters moved from lakes into
people’s living rooms, RJ Balaji and Actor Siddharth spurred into action. They wanted to
use their strength for a cause and decided to work on the field, so that they could assess
the situation firsthand and accordingly act on relief measures immediately. Thus was born
Chennai Micro.
The team drew its strength from the active participation of thousands of selfless
volunteers, corporates and eminent people from different walks of life. They lent tireless
support at a time when the city needed it most. When we started out, our focus was on
rescue operations. Later, we got involved in the muchneeded relief work. Our
hardworking ground teams ensured that the affected citizens received drinking water, hot
packed food, biscuits, diapers, sanitary napkins, medicines, milk powder, blankets, mats,
mosquito repellents, coils and clothes, among many other crucial relief material. The
Chennai Micro team reached out to various floodaffected areas in Chennai and
Cuddalore, with relief material. Chennai Micro saw 5,695 amazing ontheground
volunteers across Chennai and Cuddalore. These committed and dedicated people
provided momentum to our movement. In all, 24,500 volunteers lent us their time online
too, helping us in #ChennaiMicro movement!
We were incredibly touched to receive over 100 trucks containing lifegiving relief material
from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and beyond! To bring in order and better
organizational capabilities, we established seven centers for relief work, where material
was collected and distributed. We also had one main centre, which acted as the
information hub. This was powered by an efficient team that helped with the crucial work
of collecting data, verifying requirements and immediately attending to them.
In all, we received relief material worth around Rs. 6.5 crores. What stood out was not the
monetary value but the timely, invaluable contribution of the people who opened up their
hearts and wallets. This has been a truly revelatory moment about the amazing spirit of
our people!
Fundraising and the way forward
We, at Chennai Micro, have realised the happy wheels amazing power of humanity and the mountains it
can move. We have received a whopping Rs 3,39,18,793 from across the world as
contributions to the V Trust. We have now officially stopped receiving funds.
We have signed an MOU with Aid India, a reputed institution which works in the field of
Education and Rehabilitation work. We will work with them towards rehabilitation
measures such as a) Health/Malnutrition related issues amongst children b)
Rebuilding/Repairing homes affected in the floods & c) Sanitation in floodaffected areas
in Cuddalore and Kalpakkam. Our team has so far identified 50 villages that needs
immediate attention and we will offer them our support over the next 6 to 12 months.
We want this fund to reach the most needy. In this process, we have identified seven
orphanages and one animal shelter as of now where Rehabilitation work will start. We will
partner with more such organizations through our dedicated team. Our aim is to rebuild,
A) Homes identified for Rehabilitation:
1. Institution name : Baba Gurukulam
Address and contact : 2/118 Vinayaka Nagar, Pozhichalur, Chennai 74
2. Institution name : Saranalaya
Address and contact : 5571, Saranalaya Megha Foundation, Kovur, Near St Joseph Arts and Science
College, Kovur, Chennai.
3. Institution name : Visuddhaloka Welfare Association
Address and contact : No: 12/95 Subramani nagar, Manali New Town, Chennai 103
4. Institution name : Arumbugal Aalayam
Address and Contact : Ram Nagar 4th Street, Madipakkam, Chennai 91 Near
Madipakkam Apollo Hospital, Chennai
5. Institution name : Thavathiru Nagamani Adigalar Primary and Nursery School
Address and contact : Nagamani Adigalar Salai, near Ramana Building, Kandhanchavadi, Chennai 78
6. Institution name : Jeevitham Trust
Address and Contact : Old No: 7 New no: 13, Thiruvalluvar Puram, 2nd street, Choolaimedu, Chennai 94
7. Institution name : People for animals Jinendra Hospital and Shelter Address and
Contact : 33. Athivakkam Village, Redhills, Chennai 52
B) Memorandum of Understanding with Aid India towards rehabilitation measures over 50 villages in Cuddalore
and Kalpakkam specifically aimed at:
1. Health/Malnutrition
2. Rebuilding/Repair
3. Sanitation
C) Offering solatium of 3 lakhs each towards the families of Bharath and Imran, the heroes who lost their lives
during the flood relief work.
