Indian expatriates from Jammu and Kashmir in United Arab Emirates (UAE) are joining hands to work towards rebuilding the flood-hit state, media reported on Wednesday.
The Indian consulate in Dubai said a delegation of Kashmiri diaspora had an open house discussion with Ambassador of India to the UAE, TP Seetharam, and Consul-General of India in Dubai, Anurag Bhushan, to discuss and address their concerns regarding the recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir, Khaleej Times reported.
‘The ambassador and consul-general have promised complete support within the framework of Indian and local laws towards various means of assistance proposed during the discussion,’ the consulate said in a statement.
‘The Kashmiris appreciated the selfless efforts of the Indian Army and thanked the ambassador and consul-general for having provided a local hotline during the time when the telephone lines were down in Kashmir,’ the consulate added.
The ambassador said the embassy has already forwarded some significant contributions, mainly Rs10 million (about $160,000) each from prominent Indians such as MA Yousuffali and BR Shetty and another Rs 2.5 million from Shamsheer VP.
Jibran Mantoo, a Kashmiri expatriate who personally rescued many marooned flood victims, said many Kashmiris were holding meetings to chalk out rehabilitation plans, the report said.
‘I believe this is where the consulate could help us by providing a platform for such efforts as it is difficult to arrange the gathering of many people in a public venue due to local regulations,’ he said.
Moin Qazi, who was stranded on the rooftop of his three-storey home for three days, reminded the need for everyone to pitch in for long-term rehabilitation of the inundated and devastated cities and towns in the state.
‘So far everybody has been engaged in rescue and relief operations. Now, it is time for starting the rehabilitation and it is not an easy process. It’s a long-term process which people might forget after a while,’ he said.
‘It is an important aspect… People have lost their homes and jobs…There are so many questions and doubts on how to revive an old city… All of us must pitch in and do our part for that,’ said Qazi. He pointed out the need for working with NGOs who do a lot of field work in rehabilitation process.
The Indian consulate in Dubai said a delegation of Kashmiri diaspora had an open house discussion with Ambassador of India to the UAE, TP Seetharam, and Consul-General of India in Dubai, Anurag Bhushan, to discuss and address their concerns regarding the recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir, Khaleej Times reported.
‘The ambassador and consul-general have promised complete support within the framework of Indian and local laws towards various means of assistance proposed during the discussion,’ the consulate said in a statement.
‘The Kashmiris appreciated the selfless efforts of the Indian Army and thanked the ambassador and consul-general for having provided a local hotline during the time when the telephone lines were down in Kashmir,’ the consulate added.
The ambassador said the embassy has already forwarded some significant contributions, mainly Rs10 million (about $160,000) each from prominent Indians such as MA Yousuffali and BR Shetty and another Rs 2.5 million from Shamsheer VP.
Jibran Mantoo, a Kashmiri expatriate who personally rescued many marooned flood victims, said many Kashmiris were holding meetings to chalk out rehabilitation plans, the report said.
‘I believe this is where the consulate could help us by providing a platform for such efforts as it is difficult to arrange the gathering of many people in a public venue due to local regulations,’ he said.
Moin Qazi, who was stranded on the rooftop of his three-storey home for three days, reminded the need for everyone to pitch in for long-term rehabilitation of the inundated and devastated cities and towns in the state.
‘So far everybody has been engaged in rescue and relief operations. Now, it is time for starting the rehabilitation and it is not an easy process. It’s a long-term process which people might forget after a while,’ he said.
‘It is an important aspect… People have lost their homes and jobs…There are so many questions and doubts on how to revive an old city… All of us must pitch in and do our part for that,’ said Qazi. He pointed out the need for working with NGOs who do a lot of field work in rehabilitation process.