The Hindu : Karnataka / Mysore News : Seer favours `Mysore Fund' for tsunami victims

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 06, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mysore

Seer favours `Mysore Fund' for tsunami victims

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, JAN. 5. Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamy of Suttur Mutt today called for the establishment of a "Mysore Fund" for the rehabilitation of the tsunami victims.

`Mysore Colony'

It can be used to set up a "Mysore Colony" in one of the worst hit regions, he said.

Addressing presspersons here, the swamiji suggested that donations being collected in Mysore by various organisations and individuals can be sent to the proposed fund. He will lead a delegation from Mysore on January 11 to assess the needs of those affected by the tsunami. He said donations in cash and kind being collected can be utilised to construct houses, community halls, hospitals and schools. The fund can even be used to develop a housing colony in the name of Mysore, a gift from the citizens of Mysore to the affected people. It may need Rs. 3 crores for the purpose.

Survey

The swamiji said a team from Mysore has launched a survey of the affected areas to explore the possible avenues of rehabilitation.

The team comprising P.V. Giri, hotelier; Ravi, Infosys Mysore unit head; Jagadish Babu, builder; and Ashok, structural engineer; are looking for a suitable area in and around Cuddalore for the proposed colony. A meeting of organisations and individuals will be held at the Rajandra Bhavan here on Thursday at 5 pm to discuss the modalities.

Meeting

He said that he had met the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, and held a discussion on the proposal.

He has promised all possible assistance from the State Government. The Deputy Chief Minister will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh.

Announcing that the employees of JSS institutions will contribute Rs. 20 lakhs towards the proposed fund, he said the JSS Mahavidyapeetha will look after the education of children affected by the tsunami. Those who express their desire to pursue their studies will be adopted, he added. Dakshinamurthy, Mayor; Vasu, former Mayor; K.B. Ganapathi and Rajashekara Koti, journalists; and representatives of various organisations; were present.

Cancelled

Meanwhile, the 1045th birth anniversary celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathrishwara Bhagawadpada to commence on January 9 in Bangalore have been cancelled.

A press release issued here said the decision to cancel the celebrations had been taken following the advice of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamy.

Donations

The teaching and non-teaching staff of the University of Mysore have donated a day's salary to the tsunami relief fund. A press release from the university said a cheque for Rs. 7 lakhs had been handed over to the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah.

The Mysore Grain Merchants' Association has donated foodgrains worth Rs. 55,000 to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), which is sending food items to the tsunami-hit areas.

Two-day drive

The Mysore City (District) Congress Committee will launch a two-day donation collection drive from Thursday.

A press release issued here said each block office aimed at collecting Rs. 10 lakhs during the drive.

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