Helping Hands applauds all who assisted earthquake relief work

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 02 Dec: A valedictory function to felicitate individuals and Non Governmental Organisations who made a “tremendous and selfless impact” in helping Sikkim recover from the 18 September Earthquake was organized by Helping Hands, Sikkim, at Hotel Rendezvous here today. Helping Hands, it may be recalled, was an umbrella organization of Sikkim-based NGOs formed in the aftermath of the earthquake to coordinate efforts at organizing and directing relief and rescue operations across the State.

Addressing the gathering, the chief guest for the day, Speaker KT Gyaltsen, congratulated Helping Hands for holding such a function to felicitate the people who contributed in the earthquake relief work.
The 18 September Earthquake was an ‘experience’ which will not be forgotten and will be remembered and shared for years to come, he remarked.
“We build huge buildings and beautiful looking houses, but on 18 September when the earthquake struck the state, we all ran out of the same buildings and houses to save ourselves,” he said and added that this showed that material things in life meant nothing when it comes down to one’s life.
 “When we are in a crisis we don’t think too rationally, and that is why I would like to congratulate the persons involved and Helping Hands for coming together during the time of crisis,” he said and added that one should also give credit to the people who did their bit in providing help and relief but are not present here.
Earlier, in his address, Paljor Lachungpa [President, Helping Hands] informed that the felicitation programme was the final and concluding phase of the relief work of Helping Hands.
“People from all walks of life came together to help and thus, Helping Hands was born on 23 September so that relief work and materials could reach the affected people and places in an organized manner,” he explained.
He thanked the State Government, the Army, the Sikkim Heli Service, various NGOs, other organizations and the members of Helping Hands, along with special mention of donors for coming together and reaching relief and materials to the people in need at the right time.
Helping Hands donated Rs. 16.25 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, computers to Moonlight and Everest Academy of Chungthang and presented Letters of Appreciation to all the people who had contributed in some way or the other in helping the people after the 18 September earthquake.