| 2015

From day one, Aishwarya Manivannan was actively involved in emergency rescues as part of a large civilian support group that quickly grew to 350 members. The group conducted rescues across several areas, including Nungambakkam, Anna Nagar, Arumbakkam, Kodambakkam, Koyambedu, and Kilpauk, while providing critical aid to over 300 stranded families in Pulianthope, North Chennai. They supplied medicines, drinking water, and other essential items, particularly to pregnant women and the elderly. During this period, Aishwarya received a distress call from Gummidipoondi and realized that the impact of the floods was much more severe in rural areas, exacerbated by caste and socio-economic divides. The Irular community, restricted to fishing for their livelihood, was devastated as floodwaters contaminated the freshwater, leaving them unable to earn an income for months.

Following this discovery, Aishwarya connected with local leaders in Ponneri and mapped out the Irular and tribal families in the surrounding areas of Ponneri and Gummidipoondi. Over the next two months, she raised funds to provide immediate relief for their basic necessities, as well as to help them rebuild their boats and nets so they could resume their livelihoods. Despite facing opposition from families of other castes who resisted aid reaching the tribal community, Aishwarya, with the support of Sevai Karangal and Tilak, managed to establish strong relationships with local leaders. Together, they successfully provided relief to over 485 tribal families, overcoming significant social barriers.