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Cyclone Gaja: Here’s how celebrities are contributing to relief efforts

Cyclone Gaja: Actors Suriya, Vijay Sethupathy and Sivakarthikeyan donated Rs 50 lakh, Rs 25 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively.

Written by Antara Chakraborthy
Chennai | Updated: November 21, 2018 06:05 PM IST

5 min read

rajinikanth, vijay sethupathi, ajith for cyclone gaja

Cyclone Gaja: Celebrities are making significant contributions while encouraging their fans to do the same.

The severe cyclonic storm Gaja has wreaked havoc in the delta regions of Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management revised the death toll to 46 on Tuesday and estimated that over 251,600 people have been evacuated to over 500 relief camps. Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur are among the worst-affected regions in the state.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that heavy rain will continue till Wednesday, escalating the situation. Leaders of various political parties in the state have urged the State and Central governments to provide funds and extend assistance to the people affected. Celebrities also jumped on the bandwagon via the #SaveDelta campaign on Twitter and are making significant contributions while encouraging their fans to do the same.

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While actors Suriya, Vijay Sethupathy and Sivakarthikeyan donated Rs 50 lakh, Rs 25 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively, lyricist Vairamuthu has donated Rs 5 lakhs. Vikram gave Rs 25 lakh towards the Gaja relief fund.

Music maestro AR Rahman announced a benefit concert in Toronto and vowed to donate a part of its proceeding to the Gaja relief fund. He tweeted the details.

Lyca productions, which has bankrolled the upcoming Rajinikanth-Akshay Kumar film 2.0, has donated Rs 1 crore. The film’s director Shankar also gave Rs 10 lakhs for the same.

Thalapathy Vijay has deposited over Rs 2 lakh in the bank accounts of his fan club heads.

Actor-composer GV Prakash contributed to relief aid with the help of Suryan FM. He has delegated his team to distribute relief materials such as water bottles, milk powder, sanitary napkins, mosquito coils, biscuits, etc.

https://twitter.com/RBSIRAJINI/status/1064404900736458752

https://twitter.com/avardhaar/status/1064474975707389953
https://twitter.com/avardhaar/status/1064470727934468103
https://twitter.com/ThalaAjith_FC/status/1064454256466419712
https://twitter.com/ThalaAjith_FC/status/1064501806506504192
Meanwhile, fan clubs of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay and Ajith have also come forward to help those in need. Rajini’s fan club announced on Twitter that they will be spending the money they had saved for 2.0 celebrations on relief materials and aid.