Panaji: Goa’s community spirit, which was already at full display as the state grappled with the ferocious second wave of Covid-19, once again stepped up over the weekend as Cyclone Tauktae left a trail of destruction. Even as Goans counted their losses, many came forward to help them temporarily tide over the crisis. Menino Fernandes from Davorlim had a pile of unused Mangalore tiles left over after setting up his roof. When the cyclone blew the mud-baked tiles off people’s roofs, he sent out a broadcast message over WhatsApp, offering the tiles free of cost. “I received over 100 calls from people, and all the 1,200 tiles were distributed in no time. About 80% of these calls were from families in Aldona, Mapusa and Tivim,” he said. As more requests kept pouring in, there were also calls to help with contribution towards his cause. “There are some families that have kept extra tiles like I did, and I am borrowing these tiles from them to give away to people who have sent me an SOS. I am willing to personally deliver the tiles, and will only charge the delivery cost,” he said. Similarly, an earthmover company offered to clear out uprooted trees free of cost. Till Friday, it attended around 35 calls from distressed citizens. Ankit Chaudhury, who co-owns a beach resort at Morjim, offered free accommodation for a few days to those underprivileged families whose huts were damaged or blown away due to the cyclonic storm. Right from a dog shelter to people seeking accommodation for their house-helps, he received several requests. “We don’t mind giving complimentary rooms to people that genuinely need them, especially at a time like this when there is already so much sorrow due to the pandemic. Ours is a pet friendly hotel, so we don’t mind if people even come here with their pets,” he said.
‘Spirit of Goa’ helps people pick up life after cyclone
