Class XII student gives hope, home to displaced families

As collaborative efforts pick up pace to support rebuilding efforts across the flood-hit villages in Ajnala and Ramdass, under Mission Chardi Kala, citizens and non-profit organisations are coming forward to lead rehabilitation of flood-affected families.

Doing her bit, Amaira Mehra, a Class XII student from Amritsar, along with her father Raghav Mehra, donated ‘container homes’, a makeshift, well-equipped mobile home, for the people, who have lost their homes in these villages. Her initiative stems from the awareness that people from across the country and abroad are contributing ration, medicines, clothes, utensils, beds, cattle and other essential items.

At an age when Gen Z faces constant scrutiny for living ‘reel life than real’, Amaira said she felt any support or help for flood-affected people should be practical and not limited to solidarity posts. “Container homes are functional, repurposed shipping containers that are equipped to create modular home or shelters. Given that a lot of people lost their homes in these floods, container homes offer emergency relief shelters until they rebuild their lives,” said Amaira.

Her father Raghav Mehra is a businessman and he handed over a container home to MLA Ajnala Kuldeep Dhaliwal.

The container home — a new concept for the region — is equipped with sleeping beds, fans, mobile charging points and other basic facilities, keeping in mind the needs of the family.

Amaira shared that during her earlier visit to the flood-affected villages, she noticed that while there was ample food and ration available, families whose houses were destroyed felt hopeless. “That further made my resolve to build homes for them to the best of my ability, stronger,” she said. Encouraged by her father, she discussed the idea with Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney who assured her full support.

This first container home, prepared in Ludhiana at a cost of about Rs 5.50 lakh, has been designed to provide all essential facilities of a house. Amaira further stated that she will continue this initiative and, with the help of her friends, arrange more such container homes for flood-hit families.

MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal lauded the young girls’ vision, saying that she deserves heartfelt congratulations for recognising the true needs of the affected people and fulfilling them with determination and compassion.