MU, colleges join hands to help flood-ravaged Kerala

As relief pours in for flood-hit Kerala in the form of cash and kind from all over India, University of Mumbai (MU) has decide to chip in to help rebuild the marooned southern state.

In a meeting held at the varsity on Friday, vice-chancellor Suhas Pednekar requested colleges affiliated to MU to collect funds for the cause. After the meeting, all department heads decided to donate one day’s salary.

“The university has requested all the colleges to urge their staff and students to contribute for Kerala flood victims. They could either direct the funds to us or the state to ensure their contribution reaches those in need,” said a varsity official .

While the university is encouraging colleges to initiate drive to raise funds, several colleges have already sent clothes, food grains and sanitary products to Kerala.

“Our students and staff launched a drive to collect essentials such as ready-to-eat items and eatables with a longer shelf life. Everything we collected was sent to Kerala last week,” said Marie Fernandes, principal of St Andrew’s College in Bandra.

Students of GN Khalsa College, Matunga, collected clothes and gave it to a non- governmental organisation (NGO) for distribution in Kerala.

“We also plan to organise a fund raiser in the coming days,” said principal Kiran Mangaonkar.

Last week, students from Jai Hind College in Churchgate had organised a similar drive on campus.

“It’s heartwarming to see students take such initiatives and work non-stop so that aid and funds reach Kerala through reliable sources. A few of them are in touch with NGOs to find out what exactly so that it can be sent at the earliest,” said principal Ashok Wadia.