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Minnesota Bengalis'
gesture toward Gujarat quake victims
By Our Correspondent  February 9:
Bengali Association Of Minnesota donated US $ 958 to the
Bharat Sevashram Sangha in the latter's Gujarat
Earthquake Fund. Pradipta Das and her wife, Barnali, who are
on a short visit to India came handed over the cheque on
Friday to Swami Biwatmanandaji Maharaj who is in-charge of
relief and social welfare activities in areas hit by natural
calamities.
BAM had earlier also contributed to the BSS
relief fund for flood victims in West Bengal last year." We
felt for the people hit by severe catastrophe in West Bengal.
This is a humble gesture. As non-resident Bengalis of
Minneapolis, we feel extremely worried when such calamities
catch thousands of people unaware, moreso when we are several
thousand miles away. Our Association also contributed to the
Kargil fund. Basically as Indians, there is an urge among
Bengalis in the USA to stand beside the catastrophe-hit
people," said Pradipta Das.
 Swami
Biswatmanandaji Maharaj, known as Dilip Maharaj, who left for
Gujarat this afternoon, told netguruindia.com, "we have
a large establishment in Gujarat. Our members began relief
work immediately after the devastating earthquake there. We
have pressed into service four ambulances and 50 doctors. Many
of them went from here for relief work. In fact, there is a
mini-hospital working round the clock at Bhuj and other
quake-affected regions".
Photographs: Prasun
Bhattacharya
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