Jain Digest 2005 07

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 33

Jai Jinendra.
B.S. Ajmera Chairman
WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICE
"Maharashtra Including Greater Bombay Victims Relief Fund"
World Community Services (WCS) of Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) has launched Maharashtra Including Greater Bombay Victims Relief Fund" to raise the fund to help the victims of the worst rain fall in India in last 100 years.
On Tuesday 26th July 2005 there was a unprecedented rainfall in Maharashtra including Greater Bombay. It was a single largest rainfall of 39"in period of 6 hours ever in India. Six days of heavy rains in the densely populated city of Bombay have resulted in a tragedy that has just begun to unfold. Sudden, heavy downpours turned roads into fierce rivers. Most deaths came from collapsing walls, drowning and electrocutions. Thousands of Homes and huts were washed away in the raging waters. Wet soil is causing landslides in many areas burying dozens of people in an instant. This is a National Calamity. Many areas are completely cut off with other parts of the state. Victims need basic necessities like, water, food, clothes and shelter. There is a real danger of water borne disease might create a new round of calamity.
Previously with your support we have raised over$200,000 for Tsunami victims, $750,000 for Gujarat Earthquake, $100,000 for Latur Earthquake Fund, more than $70,000 for Kutch Cyclone Relief Fund and then for the Turkey earthquake Fund, Orissa and Kosovo. This time we request your generous help for this humane cause. We Jains are the steadfast believers of "Jiv Daya" and "Ahimsa" and it is our moral obligation to request to respond to this calamity and help its' victims. We can't bring back the dead but let us help millions fighting for survival. Your contribution will make a remarkable difference in the lives of these unfortunate people.
We recognize that many different organizations have started such fund raising drive and you may wonder why you should send your donations through JAINA. Here JAINA's past record should help you decide: JAINA's relief operation will be carried out with a local partnering NGO so that help will reach immediately rather than getting mired in any type of red tape.
JAINA does not charge any administrative cost to the relief fund. Every penny donated to the fund will go towards relief effort. In fact JAINA volunteers and partners will add their presence, experience and effort to the fund as it is delivered to the affected area.
Funds collected by JAINA will be spent in completely non-violent manner keeping in mind Jain way. Our efforts will be directed in helping Victims. We request you to send your tax deductible (USA) contribution payable to JAINA and mail to:
Prakash Mehta, 2960 Mother Well Ct, Oak Hill, VA 20171 Phone: 703-352-8340, 703-318-8252 Pmehta@psiint.com
Sincerely yours,
Prakash Mehta Co-Chairman
Bhadresh Dhila Co-Chairman
Kirit Daftary President, JAINA
"A PERSON WHO SERVES THE SICK, SERVES ME" - LORD MAHAVIR
Dr. Dhiraj Shah Founder, WCS
31 JAIN DIGEST⚫ SUMMER 2005
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