Teacher films damages to raise funds for cyclone Amphan victims

Paltan Mondal is a private tutor who teaches children from Classes I to XII. On the night when cyclone Amphan hit his village in Kanaknagar, Hingalganj in West Bengal, he along with his parents and other villagers had taken a shelter in his school, Kanaknagar SD Institution. Early next day, when he visited his home, he was disheartened to see that their tin roof had been blown away. The other villagers’ houses too had suffered damage by the cyclone.

Mondal, who had a smartphone with him, decided to shoot the damages so that they could document it and send it over to the government for compensation.

The next three days, Mondal visited nearly 500 homes in his village and a neighbouring village. His daily activities included filming the damaged houses, going back to Kanaknagar SD Institution to recharge his phone since the village had no electricity, and coming back and shooting.

“These people need help. The storm has robbed them of their houses and livelihoods. I cannot help them with either but the videos might reach the administration and some others who might come forward to help them,” said Mondal to The Telegraph.

Pulak Roy Chowdhury, the headmaster of the school, also joined Mondal in this mission. Mondal would send him videos and he circulated them so that they could raise funds for the homeless villagers.

Do you feel strongly about something? Have a story to share? Write to us at info@thepeepertimes.com or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter