Tamil Nadu girl parts with savings for Kerala victims; cycle firm rewards gesture

Villupuram, August 20

The gesture of a nine-year-old girl from a town in Tamil Nadu to part with her savings of four years meant for a bicylce, for Kerala flood relief has moved a premier cycle manufacturer, who has now promised her to gift the cycle of her dreams.

Anupriya from Villupuram in the state has decided to give away about Rs 9,000 of her savings, done over the last four years, after coming across TV visuals of the deluge in Kerala.

“I had saved money (around Rs 9,000) for over four years to buy a cycle. But I saw visuals of Kerala flood on television and decided to give the money,” towards relief activities, she told reporters here.

The girl lending the helping hand won hearts and accolades, with Hero Cyles taking a special note.

Hero Cycles, in it official Twitter account, appreciated her “gesture to support humanity” and said she would get a brand new cycle from them.

“Dear Anupriya, We appreciate your gesture to support humanity in the hour of need. You would get a brand new cycle from us. Please DM your address or contact us at [email protected]. @PankajMMunjal,” it said.

Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Motors Company Pankaj M Munjal hailed Anupriya as a “noble soul” and assured her to give her “one bike every year of your life”.

“Anupriya, parnam to you. You are a noble soul and wish you spread the good around. Hero is too pleased to give you one bike every year of your life. Pl share your contact on my account. Love you and best wishes. Prayers for Kerala,” Munjal said in a tweet.

Congress MP from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor, welcomed the company’s gesture.

“Thanks to HeroCycles for donating a bicycle to a 9-year-old girl who gave up all that she was saving for a cycle to help the victims of the #KeralaFloods,” he said in a tweet.

The deadly monsoon rains in Kerala have claimed 210 lives since August 8 and has displaced over 7.14 lakh people from their homes.

The Centre, various state governments and other entities, including individuals, have extended a helping hand to Kerala. PTI