January 05, 2004

Dear Fellow Members of AIA:

AIA launches Campaign for Relief of People Affected by the Tsunami

An earthquake of magnitude 9.0 on early Sunday morning, 26 December 2004, unleashed 30’ tidal waves in twelve countries across South and Southeast Asia, and as far as East Africa, killing over 150,000 persons, rendering multitudes of people injured or homeless and deprived of livelihood. This earthquake-tsunami disaster has been one of the greatest catastrophes in history and calls for urgent, generous, and coordinated relief, both in the short and long run. The Indian American community feels the pain of the victims and commits itself to doing its part to alleviate the difficulties faced by the survivors.

The Association of Indians in America is working actively with various community groups to organize a generous, coordinated, and effective response. Please see the appeal which details of the campaign and how everybody can get involved and contribute.

We have already made a wonderful beginning. We raised over $36,000 in New York at a planning meeting of community leaders. (see press release)Hundreds of our members and office bearers are busy all over the country, organizing various types of fund-raising activities. We will be announcing the details in these pages.

Meanwhile, we thank you for your concern and ask that you visit this site often for updates and share the information with your friends and colleagues. For more information, please contact me at (718) 497-3285 or email me at aianational@aol.com. You may also contact the Center for India Studies, State University of New York, Stony Brook, at (631) 632-9742 or email indiastudies@stonybrook.edu

With best wishes for a happy new year.

Cordially,


Buddhadev Manvar
National President