DHARAMSHALA: As a gesture of solidarity with the people affected by the devastating natural disaster in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, Tibetans living in the state spared no efforts in joining the relief mission.

Torrential rain and flash floods struck hundreds of thousands of Indians when they were on pilgrimage in sacred places in Uttarakhand on 16 June. The devastating natural fury caused over 1,000 deaths and huge loss of property.

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration has maintained that we should always remain grateful to the people and government of India. Following this guidance, the representatives of Tibetan communities and monasteries in Uttarakhand held a meeting on 21 June to express solidarity with and join hands in the relief efforts for the flood victims,” the Tibetan settlement office in Dehradun said in a statement.

A special prayer service was held at Dehradun on 25 June. The Tibetan community collected a sum of Rs 494,931 as requested by the chief minister for the relief work.

On 2 July, a delegation led by Tibetan settlement officer met the Chief Minister and handed over a draft of Rs 3 lakh. The settlement officer apprised him that the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan public in exile share the grief and stand in solidarity with all those who died and injured in the natural disaster.

The Tibetan community will make efforts to visit the affected areas to provide relief to the local Indians affected by the disaster and the remaining donation of Rs 185,376 would be used in this mission.

At the height of the crisis, the members of the Tibetan community set up relief camps for the victims at the airport.