GUWAHATI, August 3: Spectators at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara, witnessed a meaningful
\nmoment during yesterday\u2019s 'Imperial Blue Packaged Drinking Water' Assam Premier League
\nmatch between Guwahati Royals and Jorhat Stallions.
\nA RoboDog carrying the message \u201cAssam Needs You\u201d accompanied the players onto the
\nfield before the start of the match. It was later seen moving around designated areas of the
\nstadium, drawing the attention of spectators and television viewers to the continuing
\nchallenges faced by families affected by the floods in Assam.
\nThe idea was simple\u2014to use the visibility of a major sporting occasion to carry an important
\nhumanitarian message beyond the stadium. Amid the excitement of the match, the RoboDog
\nserved as a gentle reminder that many communities across Assam are still dealing with the
\nconsequences of the floods and continue to require compassion, support and solidarity.
\nThe message \u201cAssam Needs You\u201d was intended as an appeal to citizens, institutions and
\norganisations across the country to keep Assam in their thoughts and contribute, in whatever
\nway possible, towards relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
\nWith the match being broadcast live, the initiative also sought to take the message to a wider
\nnational audience. The distinctive visual of the RoboDog carrying the placard was intended to
\ndraw attention to the continuing human suffering caused by the floods and the long road to
\nrecovery faced by affected families.
\nThe initiative was facilitated during the match by Guwahati Royals, with the support of the
\nleague management, as a small effort to ensure that the reach of sport could also be used in
\nthe service of the state and its people.
\nIt was a quiet reminder that even during moments of celebration, Assam\u2019s affected families
\nmust not be forgotten\u2014and that the responsibility of standing with them extends far beyond
\nthe boundaries of the cricket field.<\/p>\n