Sri Sri Ravi Shankar calls for greater efforts to protect environment; urges solidarity with Nepal
Bengaluru, Aug 27 (IANS) Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Thursday expressed solidarity with the people of Nepal amid the devastating floods and landslides along the Nepal-Tibet border, urging people to pray for those affected by the disaster.
In a video statement, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said nature’s fury has caused a major disaster in Nepal, a country that has long been a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims.
He noted that several people had travelled to the region on pilgrimage to Mansarovar and expressed concern over reports of deaths in the disaster.
“Let us all show our solidarity with the people of Nepal, the affected families and the Government of Nepal,” he said, while praying for strength for those who had lost their loved ones.
He also expressed hope that Nepal would return to normalcy soon and called for greater efforts to protect the environment, particularly in the Himalayan region.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has launched an initiative to collect information about people from the state who are currently stranded in Nepal and the adjoining areas of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) following flash floods and related disruptions.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated on social media X, “The safety and well-being of every Kannadiga remains our foremost concern. In view of the flash floods and disruptions along the Nepal-Tibet border, the Government of Karnataka is working to identify and assist persons from Karnataka who may be stranded in Nepal or the Tibet Autonomous Region, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Missions.”
The Chief Minister’s Office said stranded persons, their relatives and tour operators have been requested to provide details through an online form. The information will help the state government coordinate rescue, evacuation and other necessary assistance with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Embassy of India in Nepal and the Embassy of India in Beijing.
People can provide details through the government’s Google Form or contact the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) for assistance.
The SEOC can be reached at 1070 or 080-22253707. Assistance can also be sought through email at seockarnataka@gmail.com, mailto:seockarnataka@gmail.com.
The Karnataka government has urged those with information about stranded residents to share the details at the earliest to facilitate coordination with the concerned authorities and ensure timely assistance.
–IANS
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