India

On January 3, 2009, schools in India’s capital New Delhi were closed for over a week due to freezing temperatures, high winds and fog that put students’ health at risk. Knowing many people were without adequate protection from the intense cold sweeping across Northern India, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately contributed US$10,000, and with the help of the deputy district magistrate a team of our Association members delivered wool blankets and other urgent items to the needy people to help them keep warm. The Red Cross Society, surgeon Dr. Shyam Swaroop and other volunteers also lent a helping hand during the relief work in Lucknow.

The local people were deeply grateful and touched by Master Ching Hai’s selfless love. We pray that such extremes in temperature will moderate as more people adopt a compassionate, vegan diet.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for Cold Weather Relief Work in India

On May 25, strong cyclonic storm Aila lashed many areas in the West Bengal State of eastern India. Several hundred fatalities were reported, numerous houses collapsed and more than 100,000 people were left homeless and displaced. Our relief team from Formosa made two trips to West Bengal in June, bringing Master’s love and contributions of US$25,000 and US$10,000, respectively.

We worked with two local non-profit groups, Manav Jyot and the Sadharmik Group, which assisted us in purchasing food, medication and clothes and accompanied us during our trips to the affected areas. On June 7, some members of our relief team travelled by boat to Pula Bajar, a village located in the south of Kolkata, to distribute the first batch of relief goods. The others took a boat to Dhamakhali to meet the people and find out what they needed. During the next two days, we purchased food from the local market and distributed it in more than ten riverside villages at Dhamakhali.

A second relief team from Formosa arrived in Kolkata on June 30, to continue the relief effort. Next to the inn where they stayed was a Jain temple. Upon knowing our mission, the temple master Namra Muni and his disciples voluntarily rendered their assistance.

The relief goods, including food, mosquito nets and clothes, were purchased two days later. Early the next morning, together with more than ten volunteers from the Jain temple, we proceeded to the most severely hit village of Pathar Pratima. When receiving the emergency provisions fully charged with Master’s love and blessing, the villagers beamed happily and expressed gratitude for Master’s love and care.

On July 4, Master made another contribution of US$10,000 to the affected victims in Assam after learning the state was hit by flood. On reaching Lakhimpur, the more affected district in the state of Assam, our rescue team enquired about the situation and the needs of the people from the local governments. Through Master’s arrangement, we met Shri Dhiren Dutta, a local philanthropist and respected member of the community trade council. With his assistance, we efficiently procured food and medical supplies, which were distributed to the people in ten villages in Bhahpara and Khamun. Deeply moved by Master’s love, Shri Dutta said that he would adopt the vegetarian diet. Thereupon he proudly hung a banner bearing Master’s name at his shop entrance as a reminder to the local folks about the importance of the vegetarian diet and the looming effects of global warming.

Thanks to God’s blessing, all three relief missions were accomplished smoothly.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai for the
Cyclonic Storm and Flood Relief Work in India
 

* Throughout the relief operation, fellow initiates paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation expenses.

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