Water on every side. Where there were once roads, floodwater now flows. When night deepens, thick darkness descends over the water. On those power-less nights, a small piece of light has become the hope of the stricken. To deliver that light, Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar has now travelled to the flood-hit people of Assam.
Working with the India Disaster Relief Foundation, the actress went into the flood-affected areas and handed food, essential supplies and solar lamps to stricken families. She did not stop at distributing relief but spoke with the affected people and saw their hardship and harsh reality up close. She shared a video of the experience on Instagram.
She is seen entering the flood-hit area by car in the dark of night, with only water all around. Google Maps showed a road, but in reality there was none. Astonished at the scene, Bhumi is heard saying: “Google Maps shows there’s a road here, but it’s all water around.” She then reached the flood-hit families and handed them food and other essential relief, along with solar lamps.
It was around 11pm, yet the vast surrounding area was still under water. Bhumi said the water level had not changed noticeably in three weeks and the power crisis had not eased, making solar lamps vital for families living in darkness. The lamps are about more than light, she said — they are tied to safety, since the dark brings the danger of snakes and other reptiles, so even a little light matters greatly for people in homes or temporary shelters.
“The situation is very hard. To understand it, you have to come here in person and see it with your own eyes,” Bhumi said. Posting the video, she wrote that volunteers are trying to stand by the stricken people.
This is not Bhumi’s first relief work in Assam; she has previously been seen wading knee-deep in water to get relief supplies to those in need.
By taking time out of a busy star’s life to reach people in distress, Bhumi Pednekar has offered a reminder that extending a hand of compassion in times of disaster is the greatest humanity of all — and the effort has drawn particular notice.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report