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Santhosh Chandran
Doha
Moved by the plight of their fellow countrymen reeling from devastating floods, Kerala community organisations in Qatar haved cancelled public celebration of Eid and Onam.
Many socio-cultural organisations have announced that the budget allocated for the festivities will be donated either to Qatar Charity or Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support thousands of flood victims.
The Kerala community in Qatar has more than 60 socio-cultural organisations affiliated to Indian Cultural Centre.
The restaurants, which had announced elaborated special meals on Eid and Onam, have either cancelled or seated down their festival plans.
An expatriate forum Yuvakalasahithi — said the fund reserved for the festival will be handed over to authorities concerned in Kerala for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.
Some of the organisations have directed their members who are now on vacation to support the relief activities in different locations in Kerala.
Former president of Indian Cultural Centre K Girish Kumar said,"Community leaders have urged the socio-cultural organisations to cancel their celebrations and donate the money reserved for the festivities to flood victims in Kerala through Qatar Charity or Kerala Chief Minister Relief fund."
Friends of Thrissur, one of the largest expatriate forums, has also cancelled its Eid and Onam programmes.
"This is the time to support the family of our members in Kerala. This is the message that we want to convey at this crucial time," an office-bearer of Friends of Thrissur said.
Social media groups of Indian community have also started campaigns in favour of flood victims.
"Social media has played a vital role in highlighting severe situation of Kerala and inspire people to extend their support," Amal Nazar Hameed, a student of Information Technology at Qatar Foundation, said.
Kerala expatriates who are in majority in labour camps at Industrial Area and Al Khor also cancelled their special festival programmes.
Vivek Ramkrishnan, an employee at a labour camp, said,"Kerala needs money for relief and rehabilitation programmes. So, the fund we have generated for Eid and Onam celebrations will be donated to Kerala. We are also getting very strong support from other expatriate communities."
While a section of labourers donated their overtime allowance for August to Kerala, some others will donate two-day income to the relief fund.
