NEW DELHI: Praising the Narendra Modi-led government for its prompt rescue operations in Nepal and parts of India struck by a massive earthquake, India Inc has pledged support in relief and rehabilitation work. The death toll has already crossed 2,000 while thousands have been injured.
“Exemplary work by the government and our armed forces in prompt and purposeful action towards aid of the victims of Nepal earthquake. In times of a tragedy of such gargantuan proportions, India Inc has always partnered with the government and relief agencies both during and after the crisis. Till the requirements of rehabilitation are established, I urge all Indians to contribute directly to the PM Relief Fund. At this hour, prayers of a billion Indians are with the people of Nepal,” Harsh Goenka, chairman, RPG Enterprises, told TOI.
His brother Sanjiv Goenka, chairman of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, is chairing a National Task Force that will oversee industry mobilization and participation in the relief operations.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, who has experience of disaster relief in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina and Haiti after hurricane Sandy, is determined to act and serve the community in Nepal and in India. “Our experience has shown that at this stage the best way we can help is by pressing vehicles and tractors into relief operations to help in search and rescue and in transporting both the injured to medical facilities and in carrying relief supplies to affected areas. In both Nepal and India, we intend to undertake these activities right away and our branches and dealers in Nepal and in Bihar and other affected Indian districts will make both vehicles and tractors available to authorities and relief agencies.
“In the second phase, when longer term rehabilitation becomes the focus, we will evaluate the quantum and modality of monetary contributions,” Mahindra told TOI.
Indiabulls Foundation will be deploying both manpower and financial resources over the next few days to provide healthcare, essential commodities, food and clothes. “We are working out the logistics and will ensure presence in affected areas of Nepal over the next 2-3 days. We had taken a similar lead during the Jammu floods a few months back,” said Gagan Banga, VC and MD, Indiabulls Group.
India Inc since independence has played a major role in helping people during calamities, said Videocon Industries chairman Venugopal Dhoot. “That’s our culture. So we at Videocon will provide financial help for rehabilitation in Nepal Dhoot told TOI. He also praised the Prime Minister’s prompt action to help Nepal.
Industry bodies CII and FICCI have also swung into action. “CII has already started working towards mobilizing support from the industry towards immediate relief operations in Nepal. We are in touch with the ministry of external affairs, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu and also Nepalese consulate in Kolkata. We are arranging relief material — ready-to-eat food, water, biscuits, medicine, blankets — which would be transported through the neighbouring states of Bihar and Bengal,” said CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee.
FICCI too has joined hands with the Indian government for relief and rehabilitation work in Nepal, said Didar Singh, secretary general, FICCI. Industry body’s president, Jyotsana Suri, has committed to provide water and about 5,000 bottles are being arranged to be dispatched. “More than 2,000 tents, blankets, baby food, and OTC drugs are also being supplied by our members, which will be dispatched to the disaster site in coordination with the government,” Singh said.
Bajaj Group chairman Rahul Bajaj also praised the government’s quake relief operations. “We have been at the forefront when it comes to helping during natural calamities like this. I have been very much impressed with the Indian government’s instant response to undertake relief measures. This time also we will help as we did in the past. Being a corporate house, we can support financially. Our heart goes out to those affected,” Bajaj told TOI.
