Anupriya had been saving up to buy a bicycle for the last four years — the young girl from Villupuram, India, managed to save 9,000 rupees (approximately USD $129). But when she learned of the floods devastating the people of Kerala, she decided she didn’t want a bicycle — she wanted to help.
“When I saw visuals of Kerala flood on TV, I decided to donate the money," Anupriya, who is reported to be 8 or 9 years old, told the media, according to NDTV.
Take Action: Ensure All Communities Can Withstand Climate Disaster
The southwestern state of Kerala has seen historic flooding this monsoon season. The deadly rains have killed nearly 400 people, stranded thousands, and displaced more than 1 million people since June, the BBC reported.
Though major flooding is a regular part of monsoon season in Kerala, the situation was complicated by exceptionally high rainfall, poor management of water systems, and deforestation.
Experts say officials were late releasing water from Kerala’s many dams, which could have mitigated some of the damage caused by the flooding and that deforestation contributed to the landslides responsible for many deaths.
Read More: Rescuers in Kerala, India, Rush to Save Flood Victims Trapped by Filthy Waters
Anupriya’s altruistic gesture caught the attention of many who praised her donation — five piggy banks’ worth of savings — to flood relief efforts and her activism online.
Heart touching gesture by Anupriya, the 8-year-old student in Villupuram, who donated her piggy bank savings to Kerala Relief. She had been saving her pocket money for the past 4 years to get herself a bicycle.
— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) August 20, 2018
You are an inspiration for many little Champ! pic.twitter.com/VnP7F4Mbr3
At the age of 8, Anupriya has a heart of gold 🌟https://t.co/6uC2NZfUIP
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) August 22, 2018
A powerful story of #SocialMedia4SocialGood.
— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) August 21, 2018
Anupriya donated her piggy bank money for #KeralaFloods. She saved the money for a cycle.
Mr @PankajMMunjal read the inspiring print media story on her and offered her new cycle every year for the lifetime. @thebetterindiahttps://t.co/sIwxcnQT5B
India's future is safe with kids like Anupriya around. She donated her Piggy Bank savings (9000 rs collected over 4 yrs to buy a cycle) to the #KeralaFloods
— Shreya Dhoundial (@shreyadhoundial) August 19, 2018
@Hero_Cycles this is the best brand ambassador for you.. https://t.co/h361gXqvbP
And she ultimately got her bicycle — donated by Hero Cycles, an India-based bicycle manufacturer — because of her kind act. The company has also promised her one bicycle every year for the rest of her life.
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 customer@herocycles.com. @PankajMMunjal
— Hero Cycles (@Hero_Cycles) August 19, 2018
Thanks to you dear Anupriya and pleasure to talk to your mom. I had read every act of kindness has a ripple effect. Through you I experienced, “Some act of kindness may bring an avalanche “. You are truly blessed and keep up this character of strength that you carry. pic.twitter.com/Ab8plZnKHM
— Pankaj M Munjal (@PankajMMunjal) August 20, 2018
#Vilupuram gal #AnuPriya who donated her Piggy Bank savings of 4 years - ₹ 9,000 which she saved to buy a bicycle for #KeralaFloodRelief gets a Brand new bicycle as a Gift from #HeroCycles Company.. 👏👏
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) August 21, 2018
A Selfless gesture matched by another Kind Gesture! pic.twitter.com/Sr0gUgSoni
I'm so happy the little girl who broke her piggy bank for kerala flood relief got her cycle after all. Good job @Hero_Cycles ! https://t.co/tUq2hUvKQ3
— Shonali (@shonalim) August 21, 2018