3rd Tsunami Relief Effort Update
Following is the latest update, as on 31 March 2005, of our efforts in providing relief to those impacted by the 26 December 2004 Tsunami. The geographical area of our relief efforts remains the coastal area of Tamilnadu.
Providing clean drinking water has remained our focus activity and as on-date we have shipped over 723,000 liters of water to villages and hamlets along the coast of Tamilnadu. Henceforth we propose to concentrate on villages/hamlets close to the water plant location so as to maximise delivery of clean drinking water as against incurring high transportation expenses in reaching distant areas.
We have set a goal to try achieve disbursement of 1 million liters of clean drinking water. Factors that may influence the final amount could be, need for drinking water, and, our ability to meet costs as appropriate.
The collection of funds has reached a total of Rs.1.746 million (Rs.17.46 lacs). The contributions have been made by 118 old boys' and 28 "friends of the Doon School". In addition, the batch of 1979, who celebrated their silver jubilee last year, have collectively made a substantial contribution. Our thanks and appreciation to all.
In my last report I had mentioned that Gautam Khanna (897K-1982) in his capacity as the Managing Director of Pentair Water Systems Ltd. was introduced by DSOBS Executive Committee member Ranjan Bhalla (368J-1972) to Mani Shankar Aiyar (55T-1958), Cabinet Minister in the Government of India and Member of Parliament from Mayiladuturai, Tamilnadu (located in the North Nagapattinam District and amongst the worst-affected mainland constituency). Consequent to this introduction, Pentair has sanctioned and is in the process of installing 5 water systems; 3 in villages in the Cuddlore district, and, 2 in Myladdurai (Nagapattinam district). These plants are at various stages of installation and we will assist Pentair as best possible towards actually making it happen. On behalf of all of us in the DSOBS fraternity, I take this opportunity to thank Gautam Khanna and Pentair Water Systems Ltd. for their support.
On previous occasions of calamities and/or natural disasters the school has normally sent a team of boys to actually work onsite, either to provide immediate relief, or, work on a rehabilitation project. On this occasion, should the school decide to do so, the DSOBS has offered to fund the travel arrangements for the boys.
One of the more important learning's from this present effort has been the need to have a corpus of funds available that can be triggered into use almost immediately in the aftermath of such tragic situations. I therefore ask your permission to allocate, any leftover money from this present effort, as an "opening balance" and establish an account head in the DSOBS books of accounts under the title, "Navodaya" (Navodaya - A New Dawn). Needless to say, your endorsement of this proposal is paramount to our actually doing so. Please do comment / advise.
Once again I request you to share this information with other old boys' with whom you have contact. Our email database reaches out to only 35% of all old boys' worldwide - obviously there are many more of you out there with whom we would like to communicate. I urge all old boys' to visit your website, www.dsobs.org, for up-to-date information and, to register with us online, if one has not done so already.
Best regards,
Gautam Chadha
Vice President
Doon School Old Boys' Society,
New Delhi, India