India seeks funds for flood relief from Oman NRIs

Muscat: Indian Ambassador to Oman Anil Wadhwa urged the non-resident Indian (NRI) community here to donate a day's salary to help the flood-stricken people of India, particularly in the states of Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.

The Indian envoy was addressing members of the Indian community at an open house held at the mission's premises to celebrate Eid Al Fitr.

Meanwhile, the Indian Social Club (ISC), under the aegis of the Indian Embassy, has begun a charity drive to raise funds for the flood victims in Bihar and will hold a fund-raising dinner on the Embassy premises on October 11.

Well-known Hindi film director Prakash Jha and other celebrities, including TV personality Shekhar Suman and Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari will attend the charity dinner.

In addition to participation in the fund-raising dinner, the Indian Social Club has also invited people to contribute to the cause. Interested persons can send in their contributions to either the Indian Social Club or directly to BankMuscat-ISC's account 39-600570081016 (Bihar Relief Fund). "We have received the Ministry of Social Development's approval for the charity drive," Dr Sathish Nambiar, ISC chairman said.

"Nearly two million people have been rendered homeless after the river Kosi changed its course and caused widespread devastation. The Bihar Flood Relief Committee is in the process of identifying organisations actively involved in relief and rehabilitation programmes," Nambiar said.

"Our focus will be on rehabilitation. And we plan to raise around 300,000 to 400,000 Omani riyals (Dh3-4 million)," he said. All the Indian schools in Muscat will be involved in the campaign to raise funds, he said and added that collection boxes will be put up in prominent places.