‘Chardi Kala’: When Raghu Rai used his lens to help home state Punjab in floods

Raghu Rai supported a relief initiative aimed at assisting victims of devastating floods in Punjab last year, which submerged over a thousand villages.

Internationally acclaimed Indian master photographer Raghu Rai died on Sunday, his family announced. He was 83. Rai was born in Jhang in undivided Punjab in 1942, and was a construction engineer by training.

Raghu Rai, one of India's best-known photographers whose lens captured India in its many shades, died at the age of 83, at a private hospital, on Sunday, April 26, 2026. (PTI File)

He went on to become an iconic photographer documenting the complex social and political life of India.

But his connection to Punjab remained intact, with a clear show of affection and solidarity during tough times during the devastating floods in the state in 2025, even though he lived and worked in Delhi.

Raghu Rai’s call for action during Punjab floods

Raghu Rai supported a relief initiative aimed at assisting victims of devastating floods that submerged over a thousand villages in Punjab in the latter half of 2025.

The ‘Prints of Punjab’ initiative, conceived by Rai’s daughter Avani Rai, who is also a photographer, was for fundraising for on-ground relief efforts by a group called Global Sikhs, with support from Method India, focused on rehabilitation.

The initiative highlighted the severe impact on livelihoods and the resilience of affected communities through ‘Chardi Kala’, a resilience concept from Sikhism.

“In response to the devastating floods in Punjab this year, which have displaced thousands of families and caused immense loss to homes, farmlands, and livelihoods, we are coming together to raise funds for relief, rehabilitation, and the long-term rebuilding of Punjab. This fundraiser is not only about urgent relief but also about standing in solidarity with Punjab’s Charhdi Kala — its spirit that is already alive — and ensuring sustained support for the communities whose lives remain deeply impacted long after conversations fade,” Rai wrote in a post on Instagram at the time.

“A bunch of us photographers and artists from around the world — in collaboration with @theglobalsikhs and @methodindia — have put together a curated selection of prints and artwork to raise funds for Global Sikhs’ ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts,” he added.

Among the photographers who came together for Prints for Punjab were Dheeraj Paul, Suman Mishra, Kartik Avatani, Srinwantu Sanyal, Prajwal Mohite, Shanker Raman, Painter Chandu, Promila Bahri, Shreya Rana, Avani Rai, Ishika Mohan Motwane, Raghu Rai, Marylise Vigneau, Ananth Menneni, Vembu Durai, Dheeraj Dhiman, Stawb Bose Sarkar, Aditi Mayer, Yash Sheth, Gaurav Ogale, Jishnu Bandyopadhyay, Rid Burman, Farid Bawa, Sonia Bhamra, Harnil Patel, Nihaal Makani, Nitesh Mohanty, Abheet Gidwani, Divyansh Gupta, Zahra Amiruddin, Nirvair Rai, Avinash Jai Singh, and Sohail Singh.

Rai said at the time that all proceeds from the campaign would be used directly by Global Sikhs, “who are working tirelessly on-ground to support families affected by the floods".

Each print was a signed A4 size and was provided for a donation of ₹10,000 at a link provided by Rai. According to his post, a total of 20 prints were available. However, further details about the initiative weren't publicly available.

Punjab floods 2025

The Punjab floods of 2025 that occurred in August and September were a severe disaster, described by officials and reports as the state's worst flooding crisis in nearly four decades, drawing comparisons to the devastation of 1988.

Triggered by torrential monsoon rains in the upstream states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, along with subsequent water releases from major dams, the floods inundated thousands of villages and caused extensive agricultural and infrastructure damage.