KHALSA AID BLOG - JANUARY 11

[SaadhRayn Kaur]

From Ravinder Singh

We reached Coddalore at 10 am today (11 /01/05) and drove straight to the District Collectors office. The meeting was arranged last night so that the building of the houses for the Tsunami affected families could go ahead as soon as possible. The various Sikh groups from around India were discussing the final phase for this development with the Collector, Mr Gagandeep Singh.

Khalsa Aid again reiterated that we will not support any housing project involving Asbestos and that the whole building contract should be put out to tender to achieve the maximum amount of competitive attention. We left the meeting after 45 minutes to have a look at a functioning kids nursery as well as to view the neighboring affected nurseries. The first nursery we came across was poorly lit, had no mats, no electricity, no activity books nor toys. The lack of toys made the place look even bleaker. Khalsa Aid is at this moment planning a program of rebuilding some of these nurseries.

The second nursery we visited was very badly damaged and a further 12 were identified that were either beyond damage or needed to be rebuilt. Khalsa Aid also discovered about 300 families were still without shelter and exposed to the elements.

After discussing the matter with the local Collector we phoned around for tents but could only find them 450 km away in Bangalore. Consequently, we are on our way to place the order and to provide these unfortunate families with basic shelter. It's always very difficult procuring goods is Asia but we will hopefully be successful in this Seva.

We are very grateful to the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle Mumbai and Chennai for their wonderf

ul Chardi Kalan and continued support.

I am at this moment being eaten alive by mosquitoes in a place between Cuddalore and Bangalore!! Khalsa Aid needs your continuous support and blessings to complete this Seva for the Unfortunate victims of the Tsunami.

Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website

(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).

Call us: Hotline Number (England): 0870-7770970

[SaadhRayn Kaur]

January 13, 2005:

From Ravinder Singh on Andaman Island

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

The Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle (Mumbai branch) and Khalsa Aid have teamed up to travel to Campbell Bay tomorrow morning. This area consisted of many Sikh families before the Tsunami hit, but it is thought to have suffered considerable damage. It took nine hours just to get the flight and permission from the authorities in Port Blair (Andaman Island).

We met many local Sikhs who kept repeating that the Sikh community in Campbell Bay has been treated very unfairly and needed urgent assistance. We will be staying two days in Campbell Bay to assess the long term assistance needed here.

Dear Sangat Ji, the community on Campbell Bay suffered great losses in 1981 from a powerful earthquake which damaged many properties. So for it to suffer again is a massive psychological as well as physical loss. We can only offer hope with your blessings and encouragement. It is vital that they are aware that we will offer them all assistance to get them back on their feet. Khalsa Aid has worked around the globe to provide humanitarian aid and that was all due to your funding. Now we must divert our full attention to the unfortunate families stuck on an island without much contact with the outside world.

PLEASE HELP AND PRAY FOR THEM IN THEIR HOUR OF NEED.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website

(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).

Call us: Hotline Number (England): 0870-7770970

[SaadhRayn Kaur]

January 14, 2005:

From Ravinder Singh from Campbell Bay

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Sangat Ji, until this morning nobody from the Sikh community knew the extent of the devastation on the Indian Ocean island of Campbell Bay.

Bhai Kulwant Singh of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle and Khalsa Aid, who organised the aid mission to the Sikh Sangat on this island, was extremely upset at the site of utter devastation.

Bhai Kulwant Singh contacted the team in Chennai to arrange for food rations immediately. Since this morning Khalsa Aid/ Sri Guru Singh Study Circle have written and delivered a letter which outlines the sadness and disappointment at lack of support from the Sikh community leaders and the Indian Government have shown to the Sikhs of the island.

There has not been any interest in the Sikhs on this island since the Tsunami but suddenly everyone seems to be getting ready for a photo opportunity or fundraising. Such is the sad state of affairs when publicity and fund raising become priorities over pure relief work.

Khalsa Aid made contact with the islanders ten days ago to try to offer help but it took a long time to organize the trip due to my NRI status.

There are two trucks of food approaching Chennai which Khalsa Aid is trying to charter a special flight to make sure it reaches the Sikh Sangat on the island within hours. In case it's difficult to organize a flight then we will seek alternative fast and efficient transport.

Khalsa Aid/Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle will be involved in offering full support to the islanders to begin the reconstruction of the properties and the Gurdwara Sahib.

The reconstruction will run into crores of ruppees and the Indian government will have to be fully involved.

When I reached the Gurdwara at Campbell Bay, I was shocked to see the damage. The Gurdwara is virtually destroyed, with its foundations still flooded. It is with a heavy heart that I also mention the Guru Granth Sahib also has water damage. The main road to the Gurdwara has been destroyed and in the area there are countless families living in camps.

The Sikhs on the Island have suffered in silence but the response from the Sangat should be loud and clear.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Phone:

Hotline (England) 0870-7770970

Ground Team (India) +91 984 025 8984 (Nick Kandola) OR +91 984 060 3528 (Ravinder Singh)

Ground Team (Andaman Islands) +91 319 226 4271 (PCO Office: Please ask for Parmjit Singh or Kulwant Singh)

Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website

(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).