Bhubaneswar: Two Tokyo-based Odias, along with a Marathi man, collected Rs 85,000 in donations for 55 families living in Dorikapar Hatimuria Gaon in Assam’s Sivasagar district after the recent devastating floods.“Many people lost their lives; their homes were submerged in water, and countless families were left stranded with barely enough food for survival. Seeing their plight, I felt compelled to help in whatever way I could,” said Abhinash Sahu, an IT engineer.Sahu, along with Rupesh Bangar and Bibha Singha, carried out the initiative without involving any middlemen or third-party organisations. “This ensures 100% transparency and accountability, with all collected funds reaching the affected people directly,” said Sahu.Bibha, an English teacher in a primary school, made a substantial contribution while helping in collecting donations. “I was completely moved by the videos uploaded on social media after the floods. It prompted me to get down to the job,” she said.The money was directly transferred to Trishna Gogoi, a villager, who was coordinating relief efforts on the ground. The donors sent monetary assistance so that the families could utilise it for their most urgent needs. “We were very touched by the gesture as people in Tokyo were moved by our losses. I distributed the money in cash to 55 families so that people could utilise it according to their needs,” said Gogoi.Apart from Assamese people contributing to the cause, members of different communities came forward to donate. “I want people to understand that life can be unpredictable, but when we unite, we can stand by our fellow Indians and support each other through any disaster. We are in regular touch with the families to ensure that assistance reaches and benefits them. We are committed to standing by them always, not just during the disaster but also in the rebuilding phase,” said Sahu.
