Giving a helping hand
SAICA to hold charity luncheon to raise funds for earthquake victims

By Maliha Suleman
Staff Reporter

Students for Asian-Indian Cultural Awareness are raising funds for the victims of India’s earthquake from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and throughout February in the Student Center through the sale of tickets for “Experience India.”

SAICA will also host “Experience India,” a charity luncheon showcasing Indian culture, on March 3. Ticket sales from the show will benefit the Indian Earthquake Relief fund.

“Proceeds from the show will be sent to India to alleviate the suffering of the earthquake victims,” said Tahira Hussain, president of SAICA.

Hussain said the TCU community has the resources to help in such a crisis situation.

“TCU students and other community members are blessed with so many comforts,” she said. “And considering the magnitude of the disaster, people should be forthcoming because every dollar and cent is valuable.”

According to the Associated Press, the earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, shook the Indian subcontinent and flattened the state of Gujarat Jan. 26, India’s Republic Day.

According to the Associated Press 12,000 bodies had been recovered, and the death toll is likely to reach 25,000. The earthquake downed power lines, collapsed buildings and caused damage to roads and railways across India’s eastern-most state.

Several TCU students have been affected by the destruction because they have family in India.

Parag Patel, treasurer of SAICA, returned to TCU from a trip to Gujarat Jan. 26, and received news about the devastation soon after his arrival.

“Relatives told me that my cousins actually saw a building collapse in front of their eyes, and they are still unable to speak because it was such a shock,” he said.

Patel said his relatives and friends are safe but are still shaken from the experience.

Hussain said the catastrophic nature of the earthquake is a call for immediate attention.

“My first concern is that this is a vital need impacting thousands of people and TCU as a community should pay attention to every cause like this,” she said. “It is through avenues like these that people can get the help they require.”

Sean Grose, public relations officer of SAICA said, “Too many of us are oblivious to world issues, not realizing that the world is right here on TCU campus.”

Patel said TCU is a global family and people should open their hearts to the cause.

Charlotte Kim, a freshman biology major, bought tickets for “Experience India” because she said she feels it is everyone’s responsibility to help.

“A tragedy is a tragedy no matter where it occurs,” she said. “Whether it takes place in Korea, India or America, it is everyone’s responsibility to help.”

SAICA got great support from the TCU community when it raised funds for an earthquake that shook India in 1994, Hussain said. She expects similar figures for this current crisis.

“We collected a very generous amount in donations in 1994,” she said. “We are aiming for $10,000 in funds this time.”

Patel said SAICA also plans to solicit support from outside sources, like Indian-owned businesses and other Dallas/Fort Worth area establishments.

SAICA is exploring its options in finding an organization that will send the money to India in the most timely and efficient manner, Hussain said.

“It would have been great if some supplies, like medical supplies, could be sent, but there isn’t a way to transport them,” Hussain said.

Hussain said she hopes to gain strong support from the TCU community in achieving a goal for a very important cause.

Mahila Suleman
mahilas@hotmail.com