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BAPS
Earthquake Relief Fund
I am writing on behalf of BAPS Care International,
which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization currently leading relief
operations in Bhuj, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Morbi and surrounding
villages. We have 6000 centers around the globe and 27 centers in
USA alone with our world head quarters in Ahmedabad. We have a very
strong presence in Gujarat, with centers in virtually all districts.
We are currently working on the earthquake relief
work in Gujarat. BAPS Care is providing 50,000 meals, 50,000 shelters,
and over a dozen truckloads of relief material everyday. All this
through a volunteer force of 7,000 dedicated volunteers (unpaid)
of high moral character. BAPS Care USA has shipped several containers
of clothes and two containers of milk powder already.
We have been one of the first organizations to
carry out relief work in the Latur Earthquake, Orissa Cyclone, Gujarat
Drought, Floods in Nairobi, and several such relief and rehabilitation
activities over the past two decades worldwide.
BAPS Care in USA has set up an emergency relief
fund BAPS Earthquake Relief Fund. We are collecting contributions
from all over the USA through cheques or Credit Cards. In fact,
people can donate online by visiting http://www.bapscare.org
Mahesh Iyer
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Help find earthquake
victims
We appeal to help the earthquake affected people
of Gujarat. Thousands are missing. Thousands of people are looking
for the whereabouts of their near and dear ones. we are trying to
bridge the gap at http://www.gquake.com/
You can contribute to this cause by asking cybercafe
ownerd to help register as many victims in surrounding areas or
hospitals at http://www.gquake.com/php3/add.php3
If you are looking for some one, please add the
details at http://www.gquake.com/php4/add.php3 or search if he is
already listed at http://www.gquake.com/php3/find.php3
For example , if you wish to know the list of
people undergoing treatment at Pune, try http://www.gquake.com/php3/find.php3
and type Pune in "Care taker name" and enable check box
and click on search.
Webmaster,
www.gquake.com
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Help the tribes too
We have been following your coverage of the devastating earthquake
in Gujarat with keen interest. The high concentration of casualties
among tribal, nomadic and semi-nomadic groups and destruction of
sites (some heritage) in Kutch, is a matter of concern to all your
readers.
Groups like Rabaris, Ahirs, Meghwals, Jath, Mutwa,
Sodha, in affected areas like Tappar, Dhaneti, Lodia, Nakhatrana,
Sumresar Sheikh, Anjar, Bhachau and Bhujodi, are in danger of losing
their distinct identity. Their traditions and customs nurtured over
the centuries are threatened by emergency measures like adoption
of children in other states, thereby changing the cultural landscape
of Kutch. Handicrafts of these communities have earned fame theworld
over, attracting tourists, boutique owners and designers, and can
be lost to future generations due to this displacement.
The media has already done a commendable job in
creating public awareness about the earthquake, showing these people
smiling through the worst disaster to hit them, after drought and
cyclones took their toll earlier.
If you bring to the attention of the NGOs, government
authorities and donors the importance of rehabilitation of the affected
groups, in their own villages, it will help to keep their unique
culture and crafts alive.
Uprooting these simple folk and scattering them
to the four winds is a travesty of nature. Your help will keep their
faces smiling through it all.
Anil Mulchandani, Mahruq
Mehta
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Tax hike unnecessary
This in reference to Govt's.decision regrding increasing taxes so
as to meet the economic losses due to Gujarat earthquake. It is
of no use increasing taxes. Infact there is an other way to meet
these crisis.
In Govt. schools we have
free education, i.e. students need not pay the fees. If we start
taking fees from students even if only Rs.10 from each student it
would be of great help. I am sure people would pay at least this
amount of fees. Because where people are donating so much to Gujarat
relief fund, I am sure they will agree to this also.
Anil Pamanani
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Yes
for the cricket match
The cricket match must go
on for the benefit of the quake victims. Thinking that the proceeds
would go to finance the militancy is ridiculous and imaginary. The
Sports Minister should be asked by the nation to explain the reason
of cancellation.
Krishan K. Arora
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No
need for a seperate ministry
There is no necessity of a separate ministry for natural disasters
as they seldom occur. Also, the present ministries are not efficient
enough to take up the required tasks expected of them and why the
exchequer has to bear the brunt of feeding unwanted people (ministry)
rather the same amount can be deposited in Prime Minister's Relief
Fund. I am not sure how that would be useful.
Kiran B Ramaswamy
USA
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Relief
fund
I like to thank you for your extensive coverage of earthquake in
India. Your excellent coverage helped us in raising awareness in
Yuba Sutter area. We were able to raise $22,100 (about 10 lakh rupees)
this evening to help the victims of this tragedy. Following is the
release from the Sikh Gurdwara:
We are all sad at the loss of such a high number
of human lives in the state of Gujrat in India. For the survivors
of the earthquake, we can not bring back their loved ones. However,
we can assure them that we care for them. Keeping that in mind a
fund-raiser was held at the Sikh Temple Gurdwara Yuba City on February
5, 2001.
A check for the amount of $22,100, was presented
to America Red Cross. This included $11,000 from the funds of Sikh
Temple and the remaining amount was donated by Sikh and American
community. Sikh Temple will continue to collect relief fund. People
willing to donate can make checks payable to Sikh Temple Gurdwara
Yuba City, and mailed to P.O. Box 1353, Yuba City California 95993.
Thanks for generous donations.
Kuldip S. Atwal, Treasurer
Sikh Temple Gurdwara
2468 Tierra Buena Rd
Yuba City Ca. 95993.
Jasbir Singh Kang
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