Ramakrishna Mission, Patna – with coordinating centres in West Bengal and U.P.

Ramakrishna Mission

Flood Relief Work in Bihar, U.P. & West Bengal

An Appeal

&

 A Brief Report as on 5^th September, 2008

In the wake of the recent unimaginable devastating floods in Bihar and other states, our following centres have started primary relief operations among thousands of flood victims, as mentioned below.

Bihar

Katihar Centre has started distributing chira, gur and biscuits to 2,500 flood-affected persons from different areas of Madhepura district who have taken shelter in three school buildings at Rupauli town.

Muzaffarpur Centre has distributed primary relief items (chira, gur, Water Pouch etc.) and Halogen Tablets among 6100 flood victims in Saharsa  and Madhepura district in Bihar. The relief is continuing.

Patna Centre is distributing primary relief items among thousands of flood victims in Fervisgung Sub-Division in Araria District. A short report is given below:

Revered Maharaj,

            Kindly accept my humble pranams.

Since the telecom service in Patna was totally paralyzed I could not mail anything to our headquarters about relief work. However, the phone line has been restored today.

    On receiving your instruction two monastics (1) Swami Ekadevananda and (2) Swami Padmanavananda along with three volunteers left Patna and reached Purnea next day around 12 noon and after getting refreshed started for the site near Nepal boarder – FERVISGUNG SUB- DIVISION –covering 100 kms(around 500 kms from Patna) and surveyed the place. Government is doing commendable work there and the District Development Commissioner who is, by the bye, known to us is supervising the relief operation.

    From him we could come to know that the immediate need is Baby Food, Biscuit, Saris and children’s garments, blankets, Medical relief etc. They are getting food material. On knowing the details our relief team came back to Purnea and purchased Chira, Milk Powder, Biscuits etc. Since they did not carry enough cash whatever possible could be procured. Then another obstruction that deterred our movement to the site was torrential rain.

However, the relief team ventured to go to site and could distribute Chira, Milk Powder(Tinned milk powder) and biscuits among one thousand victims. So the process has begun. Tomorrow they will again procure more items and I will also arrange to send cash from here. We have decided  to cover at least TEN THOUSANDS beneficiaries. Tomorrow Ten thousand tinned milk powder will reach there and I am arranging to procure Saris. Due to heavy rain we could not take any photograph. If Rain God will be gracious, then I hope the relief operation will continue in full swing.

    Another worst affected area is NURSERYGUNG that is totally cut of from the main land and is unapproachable. Government is trying to restore rail connection and we are hopeful that we could go there after two-three days.

    Maharaj, by the bye, heavy purchases are and will be made here. I  therefore, request you to send at least TWENTY-FIVE LACS to PATNA MISSION.

Maharaj, kindly let me know if there is any other suggestion.   

Again with pranams,

Yours affectionately,

Tadgatananda(Kartik)

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Patna

Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow Sevashrama has started providing primary relief (both dry and cooked food items) and medical relief to about 3,000 worst-affected flood victims – sheltered in temporary camps, belonging to 10 villages in Bakshi-Ka-Talab Tahsil of Lucknow district.

West Bengal

Malda Centre has distributed 6,000 kg rice, 300 kg dal, 1,800 kg potato, 600 kg salt, 300 kg sugar and 120 kg biscuits to 558 flood-affected families (about 2,800 persons) belonging to 4 villages of Harishchandrapur – II block in Malda district.

Further reports are awaited.

All donations paid in cash or by cheque / demand draft drawn in favour of “RAMAKRISHNA MISSION” payable at Kolkata are exempt from Income Tax under section 80-G of the I.T. Act.  Donations may please be sent to:

THE GENERAL SECRETARY

Ramakrishna Mission

Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal – 711202.

Belur Math                                                                          

 (Swami Suhitananda)

Date: 05.09.2008                                                                    

Assistant Secretary