Guwahati: YouTubers and social media influencers who came forward to help people during Assam’s floods may soon receive recognition from the state government.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government is checking the work done by content creators who raised money for flood relief and used it to help affected families. So far, officials have identified 72 YouTube accounts that collected funds during the flood crisis.
The government is now trying to find out how the money was used and whether it actually reached people who needed help. Officials are particularly checking relief work carried out in Sivasagar and Charaideo.
Sarma said the government wants details of the assistance provided, including how much money was spent, which areas received help and how many people benefited. Some contributions announced during the relief effort were as high as rs 2 crore and rs 50 lakh.
The Chief Minister made it clear that the exercise is not meant to stop people from raising money privately. Instead, the government wants to keep track of the relief already provided and make sure help is not concentrated in just a few places.
There is also a practical reason behind the monitoring. If several organisations or individuals help the same families, other flood hit families could end up being missed. The government therefore wants to know where assistance has already reached.
Those who are found to have genuinely helped could be formally appreciated by the Assam government. The list could include YouTubers, influencers, NGOs and other organisations involved in relief work.
The recognition could be in the form of a gamosa, certificate or award, Sarma said. He added that the government would not limit the recognition to people from Assam. Contributors from other parts of India and even from abroad could also be considered.
The involvement of online creators has added a new dimension to Assam’s flood response. With thousands or even millions of followers, some creators have been able to quickly bring attention to the crisis and encourage their audiences to contribute.
Assam is still dealing with the aftermath of the floods, with relief and rehabilitation efforts continuing in affected areas. The state government has estimated that more than rs 1,000 crore could be required for repairs and rehabilitation.
For the creators who stepped forward, the proposed recognition is likely to be a meaningful gesture. More importantly, it shows how social media audiences are increasingly becoming a source of real world support when communities face a disaster.