NDTV in partnership with Tata Sky has organised a special 6-hour telethon to raise funds for Kerala. The goal of a live televised fundraiser is to enable the rebuilding of villages in the worst-affected districts and provide immediate assistance in terms of rehabilitation and food kits to people in the worst affected areas.

'We can't even estimate the magnitude of disaster and the pain experienced by the people of Kerala. Once the water recedes, there would be many health challenges. The least we can do is send some money. But as citizens, we need to do much more than this', says Indian poet Javed Akhtar at NDTV special 6-hour telethon.

11-year-old Aarav Verma, a child artist, described the current state of Kerala through his artwork. He created the beautiful piece live on the stage of #IndiaForKerala 6-hour telethon. The paining was bought for Rs. 3 lakh by Faber-Castell India and the funds would be donated to help rebuild Kerala.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan relates to people stuck in Kerala floods as he himself have been stuck in two floods in Mumbai and in Chennai (in 2015). He says, "We should be very proud of our armed forces, volunteers and the heroes. This goes to show that there is a lot of unity. I appeal to contribute in whatever way. Not just financial help, please go out and do whatever little you can do. "
The Centre's move to rename Kerala has had ripples in distant West Bengal, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the government of being anti-Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, congratulating Kerala on its name change, said today that despite her best efforts, the Centre is not allowing a change of name for her state since it is anti-Bengal.
