Kolkata: A software engineer-turned-social entrepreneur from the city and his team members visited the Cyclone Ditwah-hit parts of Sri Lanka recently.
They handed over relief materials to around 800 affected families. The social entrepreneur, Sourav Mukherjee, who has founded Kolkata Society for Cultural Heritage (KSCH) to carry out work for sustainable development in rural areas, visited Kaduwela, Athurugiriya, Malabe, Chilaw, Negombo, Puttalam, and Dankotuwa with his team.
The relief materials distributed among the cyclone-hit villagers included 6,000 litres of drinking water, dry rations, cooked meals, garments, and sanitary and baby care essentials.
They also extended help to animals in distress, fed stray dogs, and supported local shelters on the island. "We have expanded the footprints of our organisation in Sri Lanka, where we came up with a branch under the name of Grace Island. The setting up of our branch coincided with the natural calamity in Sri Lanka, and we sought the help of locals to stand beside the affected villagers in the neighbouring country. Between Nov 30 and Dec 6, we carried out the social work there," said Mukherjee, also consultative member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and peace ambassador of African Nations. Mukherjee also mooted an extensive mangrove afforestation initiative to reduce carbon footprints on the island, similar to what the organisation already did in Sundarbans as well as at Malad in Mumbai. Grace Island, led by Devduni Lanza as founder president, with Nayanathara Hettiarachchi as founder secretary and Mark Perera as founder treasurer, will also work for women empowerment and child welfare in Sri Lanka, according to Mukherjee. "Given Sri Lanka's extensive coastline and vulnerability to soil erosion and climate-induced disasters, mangrove plantations will be strategically established to strengthen coastal resilience and safeguard fragile ecosystems. Our initiative will generate around 196,000 carbon credits annually in Sri Lanka. By integrating carbon finance mechanisms, the project ensures long-term sustainability, community livelihoods, and enduring environmental impact."