The good Samaritans during the recent devastating flood in Silchar

July 20: Social workers have a major role to play during disasters, said N. Vinod Chandra Menon, former member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). This aspect was especially noticed during the recent flood in Silchar. A few days of torrential rainfall coupled with breach at Bethukandi dyke resulted in entry of water from river Barak in Silchar. The devastating flood during June 2022 jeopardised the lives of more than a lakh inhabitants of Silchar town.

We cannot stand back and distance ourselves from whatever is happening around the world. Social workers have a role to play to bring these aspects to the understanding of administrators and politicians. There was huge crisis of drinking water, food and other essential commodities. Initially, there was almost non-existent government relief being offered to the people. It was then that some individuals, clubs, NGO’s and organisations rose to the occasion and stood besides the flood affected people even risking their own lives.

Local youths in every locality of Silchar did yeomen service. Youths like Dilu Das, Joydeep Chakraborty, Pinak Roy, Subir Dhar and a number of organisations like Lions, Rotary, Inner Wheel, Netaji Chatra Yuva Sangathan, Apollo Club, Dhaga, Prochesta, Rupam,Udoyer Pothe, Rising Youth Society etc won hearts of million by their service during flood. This are just few names and many more individuals and organisations also went around the water logged streets and served the people.

From 20 June onwards, these people were seen to go around flood affected areas in boats with drinking water and other food items. Joydeep Chakraborty of Meherpur Silchar, a socio-cultural activist was also found to act in his individual capacity and also as part of different organisations. For 30 continuous days, he was seen in action in different parts of Silchar along with many others. Apart from his individual capacity, he also worked along with Apollo Club Meherpur, Apostles Club Malugram, Music World Silchar, Netaji Chatra Yuva Sangstha and many more groups and organisations.

Recalling those moments, Joydeep said, “It was a tough experience as I have never before seen such a fury of the river. Without knowing the art of swimming, and moving about in water almost upto the neck level was indeed a difficult task. Sometimes we went by boat but most of the times we had to carry cartoons of water on the shoulder and walk through deep water inside lanes where people were having severe crisis of drinking water. I don’t know how people got my number, but many rang me and asked for help. Curiously majority whom I got the opportunity to help were indeed unknown to me.”

He also said, “During those days, I used to wake up early in the morning and came back home around midnight. During the early part of July, I worked with support of district administration and provided drinking water and water purifying tablets to the people. Also, went along NDRF teams to deliver drinking water at many places. Many times poisonous insects bite me, suffered from fever, but inspite of this, we did our duty.”

“The unprecedented sufferings of the people of Silchar moved many individuals and organisations. It was not that only I was involved in relief works. There were many others who went around and served people. We do hope that the government will take serious measures in strengthening the dykes so that the people do not face such fury of the river in the coming days,” added Joydeep.

As a good Samaritan, Joydeep Chakraborty celebrated his birthday along with the boys and girls of a shelter home in Silchar where he cut a cake and gave the children various food items. During the day, he also donated blood with Lifeline Foundation at S.M.Dev Civil hospital. Silchar.