Society raising funds for earthquake victim

Mud houses collapsed to the ground. Thatched roofs were strewn across villages, leaving puzzles of awkwardly misplaced pieces. When an earthquake jolted India last week, it left devastation in its path: an estimated 40,000 dead, with still more bodies buried in the rubble. After hearing initial reports of the earthquake, the University's South Asia Society immediately took action and began work on fundraising efforts to aid in the quake's aftermath. In the past three days, the group raised over $1,200, exceeding its goal of $1,000. The goal for today alone is to raise $1,000, an aim that while high, "is essential to aid in the repair of this country," said College senior Mita Sanghavi said. The fundraiser was organized for the most part by SAS members and Sanghavi, Wharton sophomore Jit Sinha and SAS president and College senior Raj Mehta. Society members worked together to find volunteers to help raise funds. Students stood on Locust Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. asking students to give to their cause. "Students have a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm," Sanghavi said. "That allows us to pull together and work toward this goal right now and get something accomplished immediately." Sanghavi also said she felt it was essential that students, specifically those working on the fundraiser, put forth an organized effort to "funnel as much funding into the affected area as we can." While many of the students involved in SAS have families in India, none were affected directly by the earthquake. But the students still felt close ties to those affected by the tragedy. "Did it hit people I know? No, but I can understand how devastating this is for others," Sanghavi said. "This easily could have been my family. Overnight the places where thousands of people grew up were destroyed. It will be different now." The divisions of ethnic background were broken in the attempt to support earthquake victims. Those who contributed time to the fundraiser were not only members of SAS, and were not only South Asians. Mehta said he has noticed similarities in the responses to the earthquake and the disastrous effects of Hurricane Andrew in Florida last year. "It's amazing how people are willing to help," he said. Rather than provide clothes or food, SAS decided to focus on monetary aid. Sinha said SAS is asking for money because the destruction of roads between the various villages and cities in the affected area is making it difficult for aid efforts to reach people with supplies. A long-term goal of $50,000 has also been set by the group in a joint effort with other universities around the country. This fundraising will be directed towards the rebuilding of the country's infrastructure and, members say, will help ensure future stability in the aftermath of this disaster. Anyone interested in donating should contact Jit Sinha at 573-7855.