For 48-year old Mohammed Ali, an auto driver attached to Makkal Auto, Coimbatore, parting with half-a month's salary as donation to the flood hit victims of Cuddalore did not seem much. "This is nothing compared to the calamity that has struck the people there,” said Ali, father of two boys and possibly a trend-setter within his circle at Makkal Auto.
He joined the company 18 months back.
As news spread of his gesture, as many as 10 other auto drivers came forward to donate as much or more, the Managing Director of the company T Selvaraj told Business Line, moved by the philanthropy of these drivers. And this, according to Selvaraj is over and above the one-day's pay that every employee of the company has voluntarily agreed to part.
Makkal Auto plies 200 autos in Coimbatore. A third of this is owned by the company. Feeling humbled with the attitude of these drivers, Selvaraj decided to get involved directly in relief operations. Speaking from Chennimalai near Bhavani, Selvaraj said he was out there to collect bed sheets and blankets from a manufacturer, who had agreed to give the same at cost.
The company, while seeking contributions from its customers (both in cash and kind) also managed to involve the family members of each of these auto drivers in food preparation.
"A good number of them have been rolling out chapathis since morning. These and other food items (from biscuits to bread and short eats) collected from the public are despatched in vans at regular intervals to Cuddalore. Our administrative staff go in these vehicles to ensure that it reaches the needy. The company meanwhile has sent out 2 lakh text messages since this morning to a good number of its customers seeking their support for augmenting relief material.
Even as relief materials and donations pour in, in support of the needy, Selvaraj says that his company would focus on Cuddalore for now. The company is awaiting a load of skimmed milk powder from Bangalore. "We are expecting it later today. We have placed indent for 200 ml packets, so it will be convenient for people to use it as and when they need it," he said.