Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury has launched fundraising efforts for Nepal with a £10k injection of support.
Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band and Shree Muktajeevan Dhol Academy played in Central London (Leicester Square) over the Bank Holiday weekend, 2-4 May) to raise funds as part of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sanstha’s wider global efforts in delivering aid to the Earthquake-stricken region. Donations are also being taken at the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury for those wishing to donate - to support members of the Organisation in India who are already in Nepal, delivering aid on the ground and saving lives.
These efforts alone have raised just over £10,000 over two days, which was presented to aid agencies in the presence of prospective Labour parliamentary candidates for Barry Gardiner and Andrew Dismore, who were visiting the Mandir for a pre-election hustings event.
Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sanstha’s worldwide spiritual leader, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, said of the disaster:
“The disastrous Earthquake that struck Nepal has brought pain and misery to countless people in the region. That pain must be shared by us all. It is our humanitarian duty to help the afflicted re-build their lives.
“As the children of God we must join forces to help our siblings in their hour of need. Shree Muktajeevan Disaster Relief Academy is already on the ground in the region, delivering vital relief and supplies. Please support their efforts and encourage others to help.
“Let us all pray for eternal peace for all the lost lives, and for the welfare of those affected. May the almighty Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa give divine strength and courage to the survivors, and to all those engaged in helping them.”
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), such as Shree Muktajeevan Disaster Relief Academy, are recognised as an essential vehicle in delivering disaster relief efficiently and effectively - so much so that around a third of the UN’s humanitarian budget is delivered through these kinds of organisations. NGOs can often cut through bureaucracies that can hamper governmental agencies, and complement
the work of those agencies to quickly target their efforts towards the most acute needs. NGOs are usually the first to arrive “on the ground” in delivering relief in disaster zones.
Under the inspiration of by Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan has for many years supported relief efforts during times of natural disasters through its ‘Shree Muktajeevan Disaster Relief Academy.’ More recently the organisation has joined forces with partner bodies from other countries in the region to form a strong coalition with greater relief-delivering impact – operating under the auspices of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which is an organisation of eight countries, including Nepal itself.
Following the devastating Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan was not only able to mobilise its global community to raise vital funds for immediate disaster relief, but also continued to raise funds thereafter that were used to rebuild schools in South India so that children could quickly get back to education.
Once again, Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury will be mobilising to raise funds for the Nepalese cause, and aiming to inspire the Community to support us.
