Tsunami Victims: They all need our help
28 Dec 2004Update: Some important links
Tsunami Help
World Changing
Command Post
The titanic Tsunami has caused death and destruction of a magnitude that requires relief and rehabilitation on a massive scale.
We all can join hands in the humanitarian task of raising funds in aid of the victims of this national calamity.
It is a tragedy beyond human conception. Tsunami (Japanese for Harbour Tides)battered the coasts of Eastern India, Andaman & Nicobar (partly Western Coast as well), Srilanka, Maldives and many other small minor islands in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. A tragedy beyond even the magnitude seen in the Gujarat Earth quake a couple of years back in India.
The guess estimate losses have run into Billions though it is very early to predict the exact damage. We share the agony of thousands who have been stranded and the relatives / friends who have lost their near and dear ones. Mere words can't console their feelings. They will take months if not years before they rise above this human tragedy which has struck many of them unawares. Just do a web search for the "Tsunami India Victims" and see the graphical details posted in many web sites showing the enormous damage that Mother Nature has wrought.
Government is doing their best in this trying hours but they need help too. They need every one of us to share in their work and lighten their mammoth work.
Like any tragedy where we can either help or standby and watch. After all, like good things, bad things are cyclical in nature too. You never when we may need the help of the Society. Like the old saying goes "When you help others in an hour of crisis God provides help in an hour of your crisis".
We have 2 options now in front of us:
Option 1:
Many NGOs and Government themselves have setup relief funds. Few of them are listed below for you to help in making donations - you can courier a Cheque / Draft for your donation amount to one of these :
Central Govt.
Refer : http://pmindia.nic.in/relief.htm
1. The Prime Minister has issued an appeal to all citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to help fund the relief and rehabilitation measures.
The donations can be made by cheque or draft in the name of "The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund" and sent to the Prime Minister's Office, South Block, New Delhi 110001. As per directions on the subject the nationalised banks are not to charge any commission on preparation of drafts favouring the PMNRF.
Contributions can also be made directly to the branches of the following banks:
State Bank of India
Central Bank of India
Union bank of India
Dena Bank
Syndicate Bank
Corporation Bank
Bank of India
Indian Overseas Bank
Punjab National Bank
Indian Bank
Allahabad Bank
Citi Bank
Contributions can also be sent through Money Orders with no commission chargeable. Contributions to the PMNRF have ben notified for 100% deduction form taxable income under section 80(G) of the Income tax act.
2.Tamilnadu Government :
Refer : http://www.tn.gov.in/misc/cmprf2003.htm
Contributions to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund are most welcome.
The Contribution may be sent either by cash or cheque or Demand Draft drawn in favour of "CHIEF MINISTER'S PUBLIC RELIEF FUND" addressed to :
The Joint Secretary to Government and Treasurer,
Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund,
Finance Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai-600 009.
Receipt will be given immediately on credit of the amount contributed to the fund Account which is entitled for 100% Tax Relief under Income Tax Act 1961.
3. THE HINDU DAILY : Refer : http://pay.hindu.com/thrfpay/thrfpay.jsp
A relief fund has specially been set up to receive contributions, which may be sent as cheques or drafts payable to :
"The Hindu Relief Fund"
Kasturi Buildings
859 Anna Salai
Chennai 600 002
INDIA
You can also alternately find a local NGO who may be partaking in the work through whom you can channelise your donations. Those of you who are located near the affected areas can offer material relief as well in the form of used clothes, vessels etc.
Option 2:
A much easier route to many of us. Forward this mail to your friends, help it being posted in discussion forums, blogs etc. to spread the message.
Remember, when we help others we are sowing the seed of future help to ourselves in such trying circumstances.
Thanks for reading this message.
I got this mail from a friend. Let's help them.