Bhubaneswar: Around hundreds of young entrepreneurs and industrialists from the state have now come forward to extend a helping hand in relief and restoration works in coordination with thousands of young industrialists from across the country.
Thousands of industries under the banner of Young Indians, the junior wing of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), have now started pouring in their support by sending a large number of relief works from across the country. Help from West Bengal, New Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and many other places have come to Odisha for relief works.
The youths who are working from the state claim they are working with the victims of the cyclone as well as assisting the rescue workers who are working overtime to restore normalcy in the state. Kamal Agrawal, Bhubaneswar Chapter Chair for the forum said, “We chipped in with our young entrepreneurs to help in relief works. Many of the young entrepreneurs started providing JCBs, tractors and trolleys and labourers soon after the cyclone for rescue works. Now we have established a stocking godown in Manceshwar to coordinate the relief works.”
Another industrialist from Odisha Avnish Nayak said, “All the 43 chapters in the country are now eager to extend their helping hand and send relief materials to Odisha. In Bhubaneswar around 75 members and entrepreneurs have pitched in with time, resources and money. We have got help from Trivandrum, Kolkata and Delhi besides many other places.”
Tapendra Senapati, former Chapter Chair of Bhubaneswar of the forum said, “We started operating before the cyclone hit. We started giving survival kits comprising beaten rice, biscuits, candles, sanitary pads, ORS, water and other essential items. We also worked with the relief workers by providing them safety measures and other important services. Many partners have given us solar lanterns, sarees and other items for the relief works.”
The younger body of the CII now claims that relief materials worth Rs 20 lakh have come from across India and distributed. Seeing the quantum of assistance from young industrialists from across the country the relief material assistance is likely to touch Rs 1 crore soon. The youths are now roaming around the affected areas and extending helping hand. Many women entrepreneurs have also jumped onto the bandwagon to help the needy in the aftermath of cyclone.