HINDU FORUM LAUNCHES DISASTER RELIEF TASK FORCE
(29 December 2004)

At a prayer meeting held at Bhaktivedanta Manor ISKCON temple on 28th December 2004, the Hindu Forum of Britain and 50 major organisations launched the Disaster Relief Task Force (DRTF) to specifically address a unified strategy for aid organisations in the UK working with national calamities in the Indian subcontinent. Organisations that are members of the DRTF include the Hindu Forum of Britain, SEWA International, VHP UK, ISKCON, Hindu Council of Brent, Hindu Council of Harrow, Hindu Council of Birmingham, Hindu Council of the North, Sanatan Mandir Leicester, Gujarat Hindu Society Preston, Shree Kutch Leva Patel Samaj, South Indian Society, Federation of Brahmin Associations, Chinmaya Mission, Jain Samaj, National Hindu Students Forum and many others.

The Spiritual Commissioners of the Hindu Forum of Britain and other Hindu, Sikh and Jain leaders including Swami Nirliptananda, Pujya Ram Bapa, Shruti Dharma Dasa, Kalayana Gurukkal, Daljit Kaur and Natubhai Shah led a moving prayer session for the victims of the Tsunami disaster in Asia. "We prayed for strength to all those affected by the tragedy," explained Shruti Dharma Dasa from ISKCON. "In addition to the prayers it is important to engage in practical relief work. The Hindu Forum's strategy meeting that formed the Disaster Relief Task Force will hopefully bring together an action plan to help victims of the tragedy."

"The Task Force brings together organisations engaged in aid and relief work so that offers of help can be co-ordinated and managed in an effective way to facilitate information sharing, and avoidance of duplication," explained Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain. "It also provides a platform for Hindu aid organisations to collectively engage in dialogue with one another, and with the British and Indian governments and other stakeholders."

"The British Government has risen to the occasion by allocating £15 million for the affected countries, though it is clear that significantly more will have to be allocated once the full impact assessment has been completed," commented Kapil Dudakia, Head of Public Relations at HFB. "Other Hindu organisations have also launched appeals. The Task Force will co-ordinate the appeal for funds, clothes and medicines in an integrated manner so that aid reaches those who need it the most at the right time."

Many Hindu organisations have already started appeals for funds, clothes and medicines. Members of the Task Force are meeting on 30th December to activate a unified plan for the relief and rehabilitation work.

ABOUT THE HINDU FORUM

The Hindu Forum of Britain is the largest umbrella body with a broad-based membership of over 230 Hindu organisations from different regions and cultural backgrounds in Britain. At the core of the Forum's activities is a strong belief in the richness and diversity of the Hindu culture, its value system that encompasses respect for all beings and faiths, and a cultural heritage that facilitates community cohesion and coexistence. Click here to visit the Hindu Forum website.

Organisations who attended the Hindu Forum Disaster Task Force meeting

1. Aden Vanik Association
2. Bardai Brahmin Samaj London
3. Brahmin Society North London
4. Bhaktivedanta Manor, Watford
5. Chinmaya Mission UK
6. Daiva Varnashrama Dharma Institution
7. Federation of Brahmin Associations of Europe
8. Four Candles Lifestyle
9. Greenford Willowtree Lions Club
10. Hindu Aid
11. Hindu Calendar Vedic Shakti
12. Hindu Centre for Communications
13. Hindu Chetna Diwas
14. Hindu Council (Harrow)
15. Hindu Council of Brent
16. Hindu Council of Birmingham
17. Hindu Forum of Britain
18. Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh
19. International Society for Krishna Consciousness
20. Jain Samaj Europe
21. Jain Sangha of Europe
22. Jan Kshatriya Sevak Mandal
23. Lions Club International
24. Lions Club of Greenford
25. Lions Club of Sudbury
26. London Sevashram Sangha
27. Madhapur Karyalaya
28. Mangalapati Velmurugan Temple
29. Metropolitan Police Hindu Association
30. Milton Keynes Hindu Association
31. Namdhari Sangat UK
32. National Congress of Gujarati Organisations
33. National Hindu Students Forum
34. Overseas Friends of BJP
35. Pandava Sena
36. Parajiya Pattni Association
37. Satya Sai Organisation
38. Sangat Centre
39. Sattavis Gam Patidar Samaj
40. Seva International
41. Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community
42. Sojitra Samaj
43. South Indian Society
44. Swaminarayan Hindu Mission
45. Vadagam Sabha
46. Vascroft Foundation
47. Visa Sorthik Vanik Association
48. Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK
49. Vishwa Hindu Parishad Wembley
50. Vishwakarma Association
51. World Hindu Mahasangam

HOW TO DONATE

ISKCON Disaster Appeal: Call 01923 856848 or 07713 133313 or 07720 843099 for payment by Credit or Debit Cards. Send your cheques to“ISKCON–Tsunami Flood Appeal”, Bhaktivedanta Manor, ISKCON, Dharam Marg, off Hilfield Lane, Aldenham, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 8EZ

Sewa International: Call 0116 261 0303 or 0116 261 1931.

Chinmaya Mission UK: Send cheques to 'Chinmaya Mission UK', Signal House, Lyon Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2AG

Hindu Council of Brent: Call 07940 466204 or send cheques to Hindu Council Brent, Disaster Relief Appeal, Cottrell House, 53/63, Wembley Hill Road, HA9 8BE

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