Kashmir floods: Bollywood celebrities hope, pray and send a message across!

Persian Poet Amir Khusrau wrote a beautiful couplet and when translated in English, it means, "If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this." He was talking about Kashmir. But sadly, mother nature has taken its revenge on India's paradise and one of the most beautiful places on earth. With the ongoing landslides and floods in Jammu and Kashmir, locals and tourist alike are stranded. The state battles its worst flood in 100 years, bringing all life to a standstill, claiming many and stranding at least lakhs of people. According to a report in Hindustan Times, over 76,500 people have been rescued so far in the state and personnel of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the National Disaster Relief Force are working round-the-clock to evacuate lakhs of those who are still trapped in flood-ravaged areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the flood-hit state on Sunday, announced an aid package of Rs 1,000 crore. As citizens across the country are pleading and co-operating with rescue operations by rescue teams, our Bollywood celebs have also taken to the cause and are doing every bit to reach out and tell their fans at events, promotions and also on social media, requesting citizens to do whatever they can to help those affected and are also sending out their prayers. Here's a look at what they are saying.

Actors Arjun Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, who are busy promoting their film Finding Fanny which releases tomorrow, 12th September, took time out during their promotions to talk appeal to the people for the Kashmir floods. According to an interview to Bollywood uncut, Deepika was quoted saying, "I appeal to everyone that in whatever way you can support please do. I am doing so and I wish you support also."

Her co actor Arjun Kapoor was quoted saying, " We can only pray and hope. It is very nice to know the army is working over time. I hope as many lives and houses can be saved. We can hope and pray that everybody is safe and secure and our prayers are with them."

Actor Boman Irani, who will soon been seen in the multi starrer Happy New Year that releases this Diwali, too expressed his concern on twitter. " Praying for abatement of floods in Kashmir. Courage to the rescuers and patience and faith to an anguished people."

Actor Anupam Kher who always takes for causes too posted, " Horrifying visuals of floods in Jammu & Kashmir. My prayers for everyone’s safety and well being."
Pakistani actor Ali Zafar said, “Floods. People. Help. Pray.”

Shahrukh Khan- "Hope and Pray the flood situation in Kashmir gets controlled sooner than soon."

Farhan Akhtar- "Thoughts are with all the families affected by the floods in Kashmir and wishing the rescue teams all the best in their efforts. #weR1."

Bollywood heart throbs Varun Dhawan and Shahid Kapoor also did their bit by promoting awareness about the helpline numbers by taking to micro blogging site twitter to post about the same.

Varun Dhawan- "ARMY HELPLINE NUMBERS FOR EMERGENCY CALLS : #ArmyRescue #KashmirFloods 011-23019831 011- 23322045 011- 23332045."

Shahid Kapoor- " SavetheChildren @stc_india supporting #JKfloodrelief. 5000blankets+urgent aid to 1000families Help now http://bit.ly/floodsrelief #Kashmirfloods."

Abhishek Bachchan: "ARMY HELPLINE NUMBERS FOR EMERGENCY CALLS : #ArmyRescue #KashmirFloods 011-23019831 011- 23322045 011- 23332045."

Sophie Choudry, who recently got eliminated from dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7 also took to twitter and posted, "All my duas for the people of Jammu & Kashmir who are trapped in these terrifying floods!! Prayers for ur safety! #KashmirFloods."

Film maker Kunal Kohli tweeted, "#kashmirfloods Really sad. Rescue Operations going well by indian army & @abdullah_omar govt."

Actress Huma Qureshi, who has family in Kashmir seemed very worried and naturally so. She tweeted, " Half my family in Srinagar .. Many stuck on 1st floor of their own houses.. Efforts underway to move them to safer areas underway..Praying." She further posted, " Spoke to my cousin yest.. Can't get thru anymore .. All phone lines down .. Electricity down .. Can only pray and hope they r all safe." " Allah Shukr ... Family in Srinagar is safe .. Thank u all for prayers and love .. Sending Duas out for everyone in the valley."

Soni Razdan-"How To Help Kashmir https://app.mailerlite.com/q8u8a0 ."

Kunal Kohli- "#KashmirFloods not d time to find fault.No state machinery in d world is prepared for such a disaster.Dont blame jst support."

Ashoke Pandit- "I hope Omar Abdullah will not tell the centre to discuss Kashmir floods with Pakistan.#kashmirfloods. These are the same people whose human rights you normally talk about. #KashmirFloods."

Aamir Bashir-"Call 01126107953, 09711077372 #NDRF Delhi. Since Kashmir phone lines are down, they send wireless msgs for rescue. #KashmirFloods #SOS."

Purab Hersh Kohli- "Leh Highway opened to traffic. Will help flow of relief materials - Indian Army #KashmirFloods..."

Suchitra Krishnamurthy "#KashmirFloods mobile Companies hav tied up.Aircel will work on all Sim in kashmir..2 go to Settings>Network>Manual Search &Select Aircel."

Rohit Roy- "#KashmirFloods why does it take a catastrophe to bring people together..? It's so amazing to see people just helping people .. No religion."

Ronnie Screwvala- " House no 35, Sector 2, Indira Nagar, Srinagar behind CRPF camp. ~25 people stranded on the top floor. Rescue needed #kashmirfloods #RT."