The actress Kasturi says she wishes to enter politics but her ambitions are very different. “I want to spread the message of Maha Kavi Subramanya Bharathi. In her career of public service thus far, she proved an able worker in the cause of the peple ht by the Gaja cyclone in Tamil Nadu.
In the aftermath of Gaja, which killed 63 people and left 3.7 lakh people homeless across coastal and delta districts in Tamil Nadu, several celebrities came forward to provide relief measures and monetary aid to the distressed families. Kasthuri was in the thick of it, lending her support during exigencies.
Kasthuri said Gaja cyclone hit Tamil Nadu in a way which we are still learning. “There is lot of damage that has occurred and the extent of damage is coming out now only. When you go there then you realize that the damage is enormous. With the assist of my well wishers and support of my friends I was able to garner a sizeable relief package to the tune of Rs 12.5 lakhs and we were able to take essential supplies like medicine, blankets and 120 units of portable water filters. I visited three districts. I went to Tiruvarur, Nagai and Pudukkottai district. I was there for 3 days and went to interior locations. At present continuous help is being sent by my friends and co-volunteers. I was able to mobilise my friends and local youths, who are now working with local camps, they are donating their time and labour.”
“One thing I want to say about devastation that many people do not realise is that poor people are on the streets but even rich people are on the streets. People who used to own estate with 4,000 to 5,000 trees have become bankrupt overnight. Reconstruction is going to take tremendous financial resources. Poor people are staying in relief camps, but what will these people do who have lost their coconut trees.”
“The government announced one lakh houses were to be rebuilt. There is tremendous opportunity for builders, constructing low cost housing. One other important aspect which I want to mention is that I was fortunate to see humanity break all barriers across party lines and come to the rescue. I had volunteers from Rajini Makkal Mandram, Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Neethi Mandram and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar working collectively in our distribution activities.”
