CHENNAI, June 30, 2013: Various organisations including the South Indian Red Cross Society (IRC) have called upon the public to contribute generously and help those affected by the floods in Uttarakhand.

In a press release here, the Tamil Nadu Branch of the IRC has asked contributions in cash or kind from the public and multinational companies. The contributions can be sent to The General Secretary, IRC, Tamil Nadu Branch, 32/50, Montieth Road, Egmore.

The executive committee of the Punjab Association, which met here recently, while expressing its condolences to those who lost friends and family in Uttarakhand, has decided to contribute Rs. 10 lakh. “We have also decided to collect from our members, staff, students and the general public to help the people of the hill State. We hope to collect a total of Rs. 25 lakh,” said Ramesh Lamba, the Association’s general secretary, in a release.

There are organisations that are contributing a day’s salary towards the relief and rehabilitation measures in Uttarakhand. The officers and staff of the Armed Forces Tribunal, regional bench, Chennai, have decided to contribute one day’s salary of Rs. 27,746 to the Prime Minister’s relief fund.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Purohit Social Welfare Trust has urged the public to light lamps in front of their homes and in temples to pray for the departed. “Since a large number of people perished due to nature’s fury, by lighting lamps using gingeli oil, we can pray for their souls. Temples in and around the Arcot region lit lamps on Saturday,” said A. S. Narasimha Iyer, founder general secretary of the Association.

Association founder T. S. Aswini Sastri said in the past, during wars and natural calamities, lamps had been lit to pray for the souls of the departed. “The Mahaperiyava, Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt had asked residents to light lamps during such calamities,” he said.

Source: The Hindu, Dt. 30th June, 2013