BARODA, INDIA, January 26, 2001: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj announced today: “Everyone is aware that the earthquake has wrought unimaginable destruction throughout Gujarat and other states in India. Thousands have died and thousands more have been made homeless. As citizens of Ahmedabad it is our duty to work together to do everything we can to help those affected. Many institutions have come forward and contributed to help the victims. But there is still a need for much more aid. A call for help has been raised from all. In addition to Ahmedabad, Bhuj and Jamnagar, and their surrounding areas, have suffered extensive damage. At present the sadhus and volunteers of the Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha are fully engaged in helping the victims. The Sanstha is providing food and other emergency aid on a large scale. It is our sincere request to all to contribute in whatever way they can in this time of need and support us in this humanitarian work. Let us all work together patiently to face these unfortunate circumstances and recover from its consequences. We pray at the sacred feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, all the avatars and holy sadhus that the souls of thousands who have died are blessed with peace, that the families and relatives of the victims gain inner strength to bear this calamity and that all who have suffered are able to quickly recover from their injuries and regain full health.” As HPI goes to press, this item has appeared: “Considering the situation in the old city areas in the region, still inaccessible with nearly 150,000 people trapped there, official sources did not rule out the possibility of the casualties crossing the 100,000 mark.”
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