Help! needed for Temple in GadeiGiri , Orissa

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Gurudeva and Srila

Prabhupada.

 

This is a report by Bhaktarupa Prabhu from Bhubaneshwar, Orissa

 

 

Prabhu and other Maharajas and Prabhus,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

Today is Day 7 of the Great Orissa Cyclone, and finally there is the chance of

sending off an email directly from the satelite station, which has limited

internet facilities for emergencies. So here is the news.

 

We are reasonably OK now in Bhubaneswar. My house had power restored on Day 5,

but still no telephone. The temple has telephone, but still no

power except for their generator. Food and water are not a problem for us.

Petrol is available readily.

 

But we were only on the outside edge of the cyclone’s path. The District of

Jagatsinghpur was the worst affected, and in that District our new ISKCON

center in Gadei Giri is severely affected. Here is a report from Caitanya

Candra Prabhu, the Temple President, who could only reach here after five days

to give a report.

 

beginning of report:

 

I wish to inform you that a great emergency and chaotic situation has arisen

at the ISKCON temple at Gadeigiri. A great cyclone and heavy rains has

attacked the whole area of Jagatsinghpur for 3 days, from 28 to 30 October.

The devastating winds have destroyed all the houses, crops, plants, etc. of

Gadeigiri and nearby villages.

 

Thousands of people are homeless and about 400 are taking shelter of our

temple building, as it is the only structure with a concrete roof. About 60

cows and calves, including other pet animals like goats are also staying in

the large prasadam hall of the temple. The brahmacari rooms, kitchen room,

store room and toilets are destroyed. All

other temporary structures such as the goshalla and workers rooms are now

without any cover. The windows and doors of the guest house are mostly broken.

The local people are staying everywhere they can find a space, even if it has

no roof. Our devotees are staying in the only room left, the temple room

itself, and they are taking prasad only

once per day.

 

On 29th it was not possible to cook. On 30th there was relief from the strong

wind and we were able to feed about 600 people, and we are trying to feed as

many as we can, but the stock of grains will soon be finished. As I was

leaving on day 5 there was some

news that there was going to be a helicopter drop with more grains that day.

It is notpossible to bring provisions to that place just now as the roads are

blocked with fallen trees and any trucks are looted by hungry

people along the way. The local markets were exhausted due to hoarding or

panic buying among the populace.

 

The army is conducting some relief efforts and perhaps within a few days we

will be able to take a convoy with relief materials to

Gadeigiri, and the immediate needs will be met. But the situation in the local

village of Gadeigiri is quite pathetic and will not be

normalized for perhaps as long as a year, as their houses and crops are

destroyed.

 

We are calling upon the international community of devotees to help with the

situation. Our relief plan is as follows:

 

We need to feed the 400 people who are living with us for one month. If we

have funds we could feed another 5-600 from nearby

villages.

 

We need to help the villagers so they can return to their homes, and so that

we can reestablish a proper worship standard for Sri Sri

Radha Gopal Jiu. This involves giving them plastic sheeting to build some

temporary houses, as well as kerosene, clothing, and

blankets for the coming winter.

 

We need to buy diesel for the temple generator.

 

And optionally:

 

We will need to continue to feed at least 200 people for up to three months.

 

At least 100 of the poorest will require food for a year until they can again

earn some money.

 

Needed minimum emergency finances are calculated at Rs.8 per day to feed one

person:

 

One month prasadam “Food for Life” (really) for 400 $2300 Plastic, kerosene,

and clothing for villagers 2700 Transport, medicines,

and miscellaneous 300

 

Bare Minimum Required $5300

 

One month extended prasadam distribution for 600 $3300 Continued prasadam

distribution for up to three months 2300 Prasad

assistance to poorest 5000

 

Total if Funds are Available $15900

 

It may be many months before proper communications are restored here,

therefore we have requested Sri Bhaktarupa Das Prabhu to

coordinate the relief program from Bhubaneswar.

 

Hoping this reaches you in good health, and in the best of Krishna

Consciousness.

 

Thanking you.

 

Your humble servant,

 

Caitanya Candra Das Temple President, ISKCON Gadeigiri

 

end of TP’s report

 

It is very difficult at the present time to communicate with each of the

devotees individually. Therefore I am asking Anuttama Prabhu

to kindly organize some program to help. Please reply only to my normal email

address and I will receive your messages, Krishna

willing, within a few days.

 

For fund transfers, please use my personal account:

 

UCO Bank

CRP Headquarters Branch

Bhubaneswar, Orissa, INDIA

Account Number 12067/64

Account Name: William B. Rubins

 

Please be sure to send an email confirmation including the date and amount

sent.

 

Thanking you kindly.

 

Your servant, Bhaktarupa Das

 

 

*** Please reply to harsha (AT) com (DOT) org for any details

 

lowly servant in the service of Srila Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada

bhakta harsha