Press Release The Association of Indians in America (AIA) brought together leaders from a cross-section of the Indian American community to organize relief for the victims of the Asian Tsunami. Opening the meeting, Dr. Buddhadev Manvar, National President of the AIA, outlined the enormity of the tragedy and the magnitude of needed relief. He recounted the highlights of AIA's active involvement in past relief efforts and urged the community to outdo themselves. Professor S. N. Sridhar, Chair of Asian and Asian American Studies, Stony Brook University, read reports from media, which gave a human face to the suffering.

Representatives of various charitable organizations active in India outlined then activities on the ground and leaders of different community organizations pledged their support and called upon everybody to give generously. AIA leaders including Dr. B. Manvar, Nirmal K. Mattoo, and Narinder Kukar suggested that AIA continue with its tradition of helping disaster victims by undertaking specific long term projects of lasting utility, such as, building or rebuilding of a school, hospital, orphanage, library, and such. Mr. Ravi Bhooplapur, President of the Rotary International, Eastern Region, announced that Rotary would match AIA's contributions by a minimum of 50% up to 100% as part of its project-matching program.

The appeals produced an immediate response: In a spontaneous gesture, the people gathered at the meeting donated $36,000 in individual contributions ranging from $100 to $5,000, including $4,000 from members of India Focus Group, a graduate student organization at Stony Brook University. Donors are requested to send their checks, payable to South Asian Disaster Relief 2004, and mail to AIA at # 1, Hanson Place, Suite 1215, Brooklyn, NY 11243. Enquiries may be directed to Dr. Manvar at 718-783-7001 or email: aianational@aol.com. Details of the campaign and its progress are posted on AIA's website, www.aiausa.org.

For more information, contact Dr. Piyush C. Agrawal at the numbers/address given below.