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Nihal Sarin's live show to raise funds for Kerala flood victims

by Sagar Shah - 19/08/2018

The state of Kerala is in disarray right now. The flooding has reached such a level that over 350 people have died and more than 2,00,000 are displaced after having lost their house. In such a situation, the third GM of Kerala, 14-year-old Nihal Sarin has decided to do his bit to support the people affected by the floods. The young boy will feature on the ChessBase India live show on the 22nd of August 2018 at 8 p.m. with IM Sagar Shah where Nihal will analyze some of his best games of chess and give you an insight as to how he is so good at the game of chess. The main aim of the Live Show is to raise funds for the flood victims. In the article you will find the different ways in which you can contribute towards this noble cause. A call to the chess community to help our brethren in distress. 

India is witnessing one of the worst natural calamities in decades. Floods in Kerala have rocked the state leaving over 350 people dead (the toll is rising daily) and nearly 2,00,000 people homeless. In a tweet, the Chief Minister of the state said that more than 314,000 people were now living in more than 2,000 emergency relief camps set up in the area. At last count, 357 people lost their lives, and the floods destroyed roughly 906,400 hectares worth of crops. The cost to the state and its people stands at a staggering Rs 19,512 crore. 2086 mm of rainfall has caused this flood.

A truck carrying people through the water in Thrissur | Photo: AFP/ Getty Images

Volunteers and rescue workers evacuate kids from the area | Photo: AFP/ Getty Images

A navy helicopter airlifts people to safety | Photo: AFP/Getty Images

A displaced woman cries holding her son in her arms | Photo: Reuters
BBC reports on the flood situation in Kerala
A video report in the Guardian

It is clear that the situation in Kerala is horrible. The people of the state are desperately in need of help. Financial help is the best way in which we can do our bit for the people who are fighting the flood and have lost almost everything that was dear to them.

14-year-old Nihal Sarin's pledge to help

Five days ago, the state of Kerala got its third grandmaster. 14-year-old Nihal Sarin achieved the GM title at the Abu Dhabi Masters 2018. After the tournament he had to cancel his flights because of the floods and there was no way to land at the Cochin airport. Somehow Nihal reached his home today via the Kozhikode airport. The boy has decided to help the victims of the flood by having a live show on the ChessBase India Youtube channel where he will analyze some of the best games with IM Sagar Shah. Nihal is considered as one of the best prodigies in the world of chess right now. The analysis of his games will surely give you a peek into the mind of a future world class player. As it is a live show, Nihal will also answer any of the questions that you have related to chess. Nihal's request to the chess community in India and all over the world is, " I hope that you will attend the show on 22nd of August and be able to enjoy my games and analysis. Please contribute generously towards the victims of Kerala floods. Your contribution matters." 

Nihal Sarin, the boy with a golden heart | Photo: Amruta Mokal

When will the Live Show be:

The live show will be held on 22nd of August 2018 at 20.00 hours (8 p.m. IST).

The above Youtube Embed will broadcast the live show on 22nd of August at 8 p.m.

Here's the link for the live show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i35VIvwUjLM Please do spread it to as many people as you can, so that they can be present at the live show.

How to contribute:

ChessBase India would like to congratulate Nihal Sarin for his willingness to help. His exploits on the board are already well known. Nihal with this gesture has shown that there is no right or wrong age to help people who are in need. If a 14-year-old boy can be so empathetic about the situation of the people affected by floods, so can you. Here are the four options that you have for donating:

1. Bank transfer

All the people from India can contribute directly to the following Bank account:

ChessBase India Foundation
HDFC Bank
IFSC CODE  :- HDFC0000118
Branch Address :-  001 / 002,Samyak Darshan,Junction Of Tilak Road& Vallabh Baug Lane,Mumbai, 
Branch Name :-  GHATKOPAR EAST-TILAK ROAD 
A/C No. 50200031999591

2. Credit or Debit Card

If you are a credit or a debit card holder please use the below button to make the payment.

In case you would like to share the link of the above button, here it is: https://www.payumoney.com/paybypayumoney/#/09959F4FC756DC7AA12958B23E21D25C

3. Youtube Super Chat

When the live show is in progress on 22nd of August 2018, Youtube has launched a new feature known as Super Chat where you can click on the dollar sign in the Live Chat and contribute the money towards the cause.

Please note: You can contribute to the above avenues (apart from Super Chat) even before the live show on 22nd of August.

When will this money be sent to Kerala?

All the money collected during this fundraiser will be donated by 23rd of August to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. 


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