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Oriya groups want more aid for cyclone victims

J M Shenoy

The People Helping People concert held recently in Bellflower in California was among nearly a dozen concerts and fund-raisers held across North America to aid victims of the cyclone that hit Orissa's coastal region.

About $ 22,000 were raised at the California concert. Activists believe that, in all, nearly $ 300,000 has been collected through cultural programs in the past three months to aid Orissa's cyclone victims.

No Indian organization has calculated the amount of money raised for the cyclone victims, but many community organizers believe it could now be pegged at about $ one million.

At the Bellflower concert, over a dozen Indian American groups gave their support for the Oriya cause. Anjani Ambegaokar and daughter Amrapali performed a Kathak dance. There were also Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam performances.

While the organizers say they are gratified by the support from diverse Indian American communities, they are also worried that people would move on to other activities, forgetting the cyclone victims in a few months.

Oriya community leaders also feel that the ethnic and mainstream media has not done enough to convince people that this is one of the biggest natural disasters in Asia.

Deba Mohapatra, the organizer of the Bellflower event, believes the Jagannatha Society of America will be involved in a number of projects affecting the victims for at least five years. The money raised from the concert will help at least 200 people get drinking water and basic medicines.

While many Oriya groups blamed the Indian consulate and embassy officials for not getting substantial aid from American government and charity organizations, the Oriya groups themselves have taken it on themselves to contact American relief organizations.

The Jagannatha Society is getting logistic aid and moral support from organisations like Habitat for Humanity, floated by former President Jimmy Carter, to build low cost homes for indigent people. The Oriya groups have also plans to link with other NGO organizations like Asha and CRY to help children across Orissa many of whom have lost their parents or are in a grave financial situation because of the losses suffered by their parents.

For more information, contact: Deba Mohapatra at (562) 425-8493

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