A group of high school and college students have raised close to Rs 1 lakh to “do their bit” for people in South 24-Parganas and the Sunderbans hit by Cyclone Amphan.

The group has been holding an online fest where each participant has to register by paying Rs 100.

The idea is to engage people in “our generation” by using the online platform and social media to project the cause and tapping on their hobbies to get them to participate, one of the founders of the initiative said.

“We understand that as students our capacity will be lower than any organisation involved in raising funds… but we believe we have to start somewhere,” Indrayani Bhadra, appearing for her Class XII exams from Garden High School this year, said.

“The registration fee is Rs 100, which many can pay from their pocket money… at the same time we can build a bigger crowd of people and gather more money to help people hit by the cyclone.”

Indrayani and Anwesh Banerjee, appearing for his Class XII exams from Dolna Day School, are the founders of the initiative. There are 15 more students in their group.

The group consists mostly of Class XII and students of first year in college who are worried about their careers in these uncertain times. But that has not stopped them from thinking about those who have lost everything to the cyclone.

“I am worried because our future is uncertain. But at the same time I have read about students who have lost their homes and books. I have a roof over my head and I can sit for my exams because I still have my books and notes with me,” Udisha, a student of Dolna Day School who has some ISC papers still left, said. “As we are saying participation for charity, some students feel they are putting their talent to good use.”

The online activities that are being held under the banner of Aparajito are creative writing, photography, painting/digital art, singing and instrumental music. There have been entries from teenagers to people in their 50s. The last date of registration for the events is June 10.

Udisha said the winners would be given an e-certificate and their work will be posted on social media pages.

The students have received entries from people in other cities as well. “There were many people from outside Bengal who were not aware of the extent of damage and destruction that the cyclone had caused… some of them reached out to us after hearing of our initiative,” Indrayani said.

The online activities that are being held under the banner of Aparajito are creative writing, photography, painting/digital art, singing and instrumental music. There will be an online Model United Nations as well.

There have been entries from teenagers to people in their 50s. The last date of registration for the events is June 10.

That will give them a platform, she said.