Remembering Mumbai – in London, 26th Nov
UPDATE: The total amount raised now stands at £400*. Sincere thanks to everyone who pitched in (list below)
***
Yesterday evening, 20-25 souls braved the sub-10 degree temperatures and the London rush hour to join us at a small gathering to remember the attack on Mumbai last year.
We did what most of you felt we should have done.
We honoured the memory of those gave their lives to protect ours…and we had an open discussion on terrorism and ways to tackle the challenge.
Highlights: A presentation by Amitabh Soni that brought back the memories of those fateful 60 hours* and a talk by Sqd Leader Amit Vij (ex-IAF) who candidly shared his experiences of Kargil and in the aftermath of the attack on our Parliament in 2001.
During the evening, we also raised close to Rs 25,000 towards the Army Central Welfare Fund. Thanks to all of you who came last evening and in particular, to the ones who also contributed to ACWF.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
Related Posts:
“Remembering Mumbai†– in London, 5th Dec
Pearl Harbour, 26/11 & Another Day of Infamy
* I am trying to see if we can upload the presentation, some photographs and video clips on YouTube.
*** List of Contributors and Donations, 26th Nov 2009 ***
Paid in Cash:
- Sumit J: £50
- Niranjan K: £21
- Amitabh S: £20
- Samrat P: £20
- Ashish D £15
- Ashutosh S: £15
- Dhananjay U: £10
- Karthik J: £10
- Ravi S: £10
Total in Cash: £171
Direct Bank Transfer:
- Neha S: £100
- Amit V: £50
By Cheque:
- Madhukar A: £50
Total in Cheques and Bank Transfers: £200
I have topped this with £29 to make a grand total of £400.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
Shantanu
Post Script: The actual amount remitted was £398 (excluding £2 charged towards remittance charges). It was deposited into my account @75.78 equivalent to INR 30,135.44. I will be attaching a receipt of the contribution soon.
Update: This amount was further topped up by approx £24 (Rs 1800) donated by attendees at the monthly meeting on 17th Dec ’09. Total funds generated now amount to Rs 32,000/-
Copy of Demand Draft sent to Army Welfare Fund (contributed on 17th Jan 2010, on the weekend following Army Day, 15th January):
A link to Facebook photo album of the event (courtesy Amitabh): http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=127664&id=159522133721
Pl see below details of how to make a contribution if you wish to do so yourself (Thanks Sunil).
The URL to Amitabh’s video presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgGMAu8rZQ0
Pl. do watch.
Hello Sir!
I was emotional to read abt ur gesture towards the martyrs in London. We all know that there is no alternative for life…bt we can hope for the best of our ability to take their message of self-sacrifice forward.
Dear Sagar: Thank you but this was the LEAST we could have done. I, we…are alive today because of the sacrifices made by these brave men…Our efforts are not even a drop in the ocean compared to their deeds.
Dear Sir, agree with your views. This is a never ending road to cover to actually value their efforts. Not to forget them even after days like 15th August and 26th Jan.
The video was touching!
Hi Shantanu, That’s a very noble gesture. We have a “remembrance meeting” locally this Saturday. I am not sure if collecting money for donation towards ACWF is part of the agenda, will explore it or just do it on ad-hoc basis. Will keep this thread posted on how it goes.
Good work from all of you.
I really appreciate the gesture of you all towards a noble cause.
Dhanyawad!!
जय हिंद!
कृषीदेश
Thanks Sagar, VoP and Sandeep…
VoP: I hope your local meeting goes well
Namaste Shantanu,
This is update from Houston. 2 days earlier I called one of the organizers of the “rememberance meeting” about the agenda. It seemed like a typical affair. I asked if there was any plans for fund raising for ACWF or the like, the answer was no! I do not have the “clout” yet to be a change agent.
It was organized by umbrella of Indo-American organizations, led by senior citizens. Except for me and another gentleman everyone was above 40. The apathy by younger/IT generation generation was obvious. There were about 150 people. Before the session there was Samosa/tea! Then inside the hall there was a slideshow presentation on 26/11. Consul General of India’s speech was refreshing, it was not tinted with “secularism”. Then there were speeches/chants by Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Islamic, Jain and Jewish cleric/scholars. The Islamic cleric said those who attacked Mumbai were not Islamic at all. Later on someone from city council, I believe he is an Indian Christian, minced no words about Islamic terrorism while also exposing the duplicity of Islamic cleric’s words. The organizers then had a vote and passed a resolution condemning Mumbai attacks and exhorting US to take steps in terms of making aid to pak conditional to the latter curbing Terrorism. The bright part of the proceedings were kids singing patriotic songs in between.
Regards
VoP
Thanks for the update VoP.. Next time, try and organise people within your own friends circle…It can be quite dishearterning (trust me, I know)…but we must not give up.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: After several days of phone calls and emails, I have realised that it is very hard (if not impossible) to contribute directly to the Army Welfare Fund.
The website that I had initially indicated http://armedforces.nic.in/airforce/afkargil/arfund.htm has not been updated and I am unable to transfer the finds to the bank accounts mentioned on the site.
The contact numbers do not seem to work.
A few retired army officers I spoke to in India mentioned that Army Welfare Funds come out of the Central Funds and common people (civilians) cannot directly contribute to the Fund.
After several days of running around, I have now taken the decision to contribute the Funds to the Bharat-Rakshak site instead.
Pl. see details here: http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/media/br-donate.html
I will wait for a day to hear back if any of you have other suggestions.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
Came across a video on CNN about How terrorists are recruiting online – through various channels like YouTube. The 7 American-Pakis held in Pak recently were all recruited through a particular YouTube channel.This just shows how powerful a medium Internet has become.
I myself have come across various accounts that aim to spread ‘seperatist’ ideologies within India including one claiming Hyderabad should be a seperate Mulsim state and he has got 4-5 channel followers !!
During our discussion on 17th, we were having a side conversation as to what we can do to ensure the right message goes to the 1000s of youngsters of our country. One of the ways would be to be active online on various ‘hate channels’ and other channels to make sure the right message goes across. Sounds trivial but if people like us are overtaken by the hate mongers then that would give an idea of the GenNext.
It may be a good idea to have a discussion around this next time.
People like us who cannot play a too active role can lend some helping hand in making sure that the right message goes across.
Thanks
Samrat
Thanks Samrat…also for the suggestions…Let us discuss this at the next meeting…
A draft of Rs 32,000.00 was prepared today and will be delivered to the Army Central Welfare Fund on 20th January 2010.
Thanks to Sunil for confirming the details of where the draft can be sent.
I am copying Sunil’s list below for the benefit of anyone who wishes to make a contributoin to our Armed Forces.
Thanks Sunil.
*** Details re. making a contribution to Army Welfare Fund ***
1.Army Central Welfare Fund – NRI and Indian donations contributing towards ACWF are 100% exempted from Income Tax. Donations are received through cheque/demand drafts in favour of “Army Central Welfare Fund†(ACWF) payable at Delhi on the following address:-
Director, Accounts Section,
Room No 281B,
Ceremonial and Welfare Directorate,
Adjutant General’s Branch,
South Block, Integrated HQ of MoD (Army),
New Delhi – 110 011,
Tele : 011 – 23792382.
2. Armed Forces Flag Day Fund – Contributions are received through out the year and are 100 % exempted from IT U/s 80 G .
Armed Forces Flag Day Fund
C/o Kendriya Sainik Board , Ministry of Defence , West Block IV , R. K. Puram , New Delhi 110 066 , Tel. 011 – 26192361 , Fax 26192362 .
3. Indian Ex Services League – This apex body of the Ex Serviceman of India is recognized by GOI is working to assist Ex Serviceman and their dependents in matters relating to pensions , allowances , grants , war gratuties , resettlement and rehabilitation .
Indian Ex Servicement League ,
9 , Nyaya Marg , Chanakyapuri , New Delhi 110 021 ,
Tel 46068121 , 24122381 , 26113669 , Fax 46068120
e mail ieslnd@airtelmail.in , ielhq@aietelmail.in
web http://www.ieslindia.org
***
Alternative Address (provided by Amitabh):
You are requested to send the bank draft in favour of ‘Army Central Welfare Fund (Corpuses) to the following address.
Rehabilation and Welfare Section
Ceremonial and Welfdare Directorate
Integrate HQ of MoD (Army)
Adjutant General’s Branch
Room No 153, Kashmir House
New Delhi – 110022
3. On receipt of the bank dfraft, an exemption certificate will be sent to you. Please forward your complete postal address.