Long Term Relief for Tsunami Survivors at Nicobar Islands—UNITED SIKHS launches Tailoring Center and Computer Center
Campbell Bay, Nicobar Islands, Indian Ocean—
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”—Anonymous.
After providing short term relief by supplying food, medical aid and spiritual upliftment to the Tsunami survivors , UNITED SIKHS’ Tsunami GHANAIA team, one of the first International NGOs to gain access to Campbell Bay, continues to help the survivors by providing them alternative livelihood skills and resources for their long term rehabilitation – long after most relief organizations have wound up and left the area as the disaster lost its limelight.
UNITED SIKHS Tsunami GHANAIA team leader for South India, Bhai Esher Singh, who has continued to encourage people through his personal touch and dedication since the disaster struck in Dec, 2004, has deployed resources to provide financial and spiritual upliftment to the Tsunami survivors of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
A Tailoring center and Computer Center was recently launched by UNITED SIKHS in Campbell Bay, A&N islands. Assistant Commissioner Amit Kumar (IAS), along with Sr. Engineer (PWD), Tahsildar and Lt. Col Army, were the chief guests of the function organized by the Sikh community.
Students at the UNITED SIKHS
Computer Center
The UNITED SIKHS Computer center is equipped with 10 Desktop computers, a printer, accessories, internet connection, two a/c, and furniture. A salaried staff of three people including an experienced computer instructor will run the classes. Two hundred students have enrolled at this institute.
“Students can visualize the world through the internet” said AC Amit Kumar during his inaugural speech at the UNITED SIKHS Computer Center.
AC Amit Kumar (IAS) with Bhai Esher SinghJudge Singh Brar, a UNITED SIKHS GHANAIA Tsunami volunteer from California who has been at the forefront of this project, said “We will raise more funds to run the Computer Centre and provide better technology and training to students.” He added that a plan of establishing a Satellite/Video conferencing centre is underway to provide people an advance communication channel with the rest of world.
Launch of Tailoring Center in Campbell Bay
The Campbell Bay Tailoring and Embroidery centre set up by UNITED SIKHS will provide vocational training to women in the area. “There are 30 students enrolled at this center,” said Kuldeep Kaur, principal instructor for the vocational training center. The institute is equipped with 25 sewing machine workstations (machine, wheel and paddle set) and an electrical; embroidery machine. Tara Singh Toor, a local resident who has been appointed managing director of the center, said, “People will greatly benefit from this center.”
On July 25th a distribution center was set up on the premises of Police Gurdwara at Port Blair to supply sewing machines to those individuals who have demonstrated the skills and need and had little or no other source of livelihood left.
Distribution of Sewing Machines at the Gurudwara Port Blair
“UNITED SIKHS has been in the forefront at extending a helping hand at all levels and we are truly touched by the thoughtfulness, hard work and care of the volunteers and the donors”, said Jaspal Singh, Superintendent of Police, Port Blair.
Jaspal Singh, SP Port Blair with Bhai Esher Singh
UNITED SIKHS would like to thank the sangat (community) around the world for their donations and whose continued support will keep the long term support system going for the Tsunami survivors’ economic and spiritual needs.
For more information on the GHANAIA tsunami project, e-mail us on: contact@unitedsikhs.org
