Flood Relief Efforts

Priyadarshini
"Priyadarshini, is one of the children who attended the IAHV-Art of Living Child Care Centre in Nambiar Nagar village. She lost her younger sister in the Tsunami. The memory of the incident still terrifies this sensitive and impressionable young child. For a long time Pradarshini’s dreams of dancing and becoming a doctor were clouded by the trauma of Tsunami; she was terrified and claims that she would have discontinued her education had it not been for the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. She recalls this and simply smiles plan".

Taiyal Nayaki

Taiyal has trained in jute bag tailoring under the regular workshop conducted by the IAHV-Art of Living Vocational Training center for Women.

Whitney Bank, Katrina Survivor

The course gave me much more than I expected. I was able to feel free and relaxed. I was able to find some peace where I had none. I had a feeling of peace, greater awareness and relaxation- something I didn’t think I would feel again.

Sheree Camel
Katrina survivor
It was just a fabulous course to be at peace and more centered, to be more at ease. It was simply great to be able to control the breath and realize how it is moving through my body. I was able to put all that together.

Participant
Palestine
I have benefited a lot. It gave me peace of mind and helped me sleep more quickly and soundly at night. The Art of Living gave me an idea of how to look at life with more optimism and patience, to live every day and welcome every event with my life and bless each moment with gratitude.

Priyadarshini

"Priyadarshini, is one of the children who attended the IAHV-Art of Living Child Care Centre in Nambiar Nagar village. She lost her younger sister in the Tsunami. The memory of the incident still terrifies this sensitive and impressionable young child. For a long time Pradarshini’s dreams of dancing and becoming a doctor were clouded by the trauma of Tsunami; she was terrified and claims that she would have discontinued her education had it not been for the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. She recalls this and simply smiles planting a big kiss on her teacher and on the photograph of Sri Sri."

M. ELANGOVAN

"Being able to finally let go of the awful images of blood and gore of the past, was literally the gift of life as it brought me out of the fatalist, suicidal depression that I had fallen into. I felt transformed and healed and ready, for the first time in my life to help others.Art of Living had started a tution centre for the students in Nagapattinam.Every day we finished the classes at 6pm and had satsang. The children became very energetic and enthusiastic after satsang. In the early morning Rajendran, another IAHV-Art of Living volunteer, taught students yoga in the tution centre. The students showed a lot of improvement in their studies after joining the tution centre. IAHV-Art of Living volunteers encouraged me to continue my education. Now my main aim is to become a good teacher. Whatever I earn after I become a teacher will be for my younger brother".

MANIMARAN

"Tsunami- Village Leader:I have been the village counselor for past three years. I had been the village committee chairman for five years. Guruji came here and found us helpless. Construction started immediately. 94 houses were built in this village. Guruji’s school gives education as a service. The fee here is very low so that even very poor people can afford it. Guruji’s school is the only school that provides English education at such a low cost. I have a great belief that this school will grow more and more. In the future it might even become a university. Guruji was the only person who thought to build an educational institution and uplift the people by giving them proper education".

KUMARAIYAN

"I am a farmer. Guruji built houses only for those who lost their houses and were unable to build another house. Their trauma relief programs they conducted gave additional relief to us. They conducted yoga courses every day. Today I am living happily in the house because of Guruji. Even if I had built a house for myself I wouldn’t have spent this much. The cement, sand and the construction materials they used were of good quality. In addition to all of these the school that has been built here is the greatest and unique service that they have done. Many of the children of our area are getting high quality education in this school".

A member, Art of Living Foundation Trauma Relief Sichuan Mission

No matter how much you have seen and heard, nothing. nothing, can possibly prepare you for the tragedy that hit the Shifang Middle-School. One hundred fifty students and teachers perished under the debris and rubble when four floors collapsed onto each other.

Ashfaq, aged 15 years

I used to feel that my brain has stopped working, there was no retention power left, now after the course I am feeling very fresh and I am thinking about the future.

Ishfaq Ahmed, 13 years

I used to be very depressed and I wanted was to die and there was severe pain in the knees now the pain is gone so have bad thoughts.

Anon

Even when everything has gone on it was surprising that I could still sit there and relax.

Sheree Camel, Katrina survivor

It was just a fabulous course to be at peace and more centered, to be more at ease. It was simply great to be able to control the breath and realize how it is moving through my body. I was able to put all that together.

Anon

We did need help with how to get rid of stress. Several people like me lost their homes and everything. And for some time we were homeless. It has helped me and I believe it will help others if they are given a chance.

Kelly McGuire, displaced resident of New Orleans

The Art of Living course allowed me to release a lot of stress and chaos that I was feeling prior to that. It just allowed me personally to go really deep within myself and it was very peaceful, serene and relaxing.

Satish Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Government of Maharashtra who coordinated the relief work between the government and NGOs

Govt showers praise on Art of Living. We found the work done by Art of Living volunteers more than up to the mark. Not only were they sincere and transparent, but they were also very compassionate. They willingly went to difficult areas, visited more than 10,000 households and talked to people about their needs and problems. What was more impressive was that they were quick in action, which is needed at such times.

Govt showers praise on Art of Living
Disaster relief
We found the work done by Art of Living volunteers more than up to the mark. Not only were they sincere and transparent, but they were also very compassionate.

Satish Tripathi
Principal Secretary to Government of Maharashtra who coordinated the relief work between the government and NGOs
They willingly went to difficult areas, visited more than 10, 000 households and talked to people about their needs and problems. What was more impressive was that they were quick in action, which is needed at such times.

Priyadarshini

Priyadarshini, is one of the children who attended the IAHV-Art of Living Child Care Centre in Nambiar Nagar village. She lost her younger sister in Tsunami. The memory of the incident still terrifies this sensitive and impressionable young child. For a long time Pradarshini’s dreams of dancing and becoming a doctor were clouded by the trauma of Tsunami; she was terrified and claims that she would have discontinued her education had it not been for the teachings of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. She recalls this, and simply smiles planting a big kiss on her teacher and on the photograph of Guruji.

Dr. Reginald Shaw, Director of Global Brotherhood of Light (GBL), Inc. Youth Ministries

I've noticed that each day, after completing the program the kids are happier, less restless and their minds are so much more settled. I have personally experienced the benefits of the Art of Living techniques and found it very helpful in clearing my mind.

Samuel, Samson and Coca

Although Les Cayes was not badly affected by the quake, Samuel and Samson collapsed nonetheless. Les Cayes is being flooded with refugees from Port au Prince. Samuel and Samson, our national coordinators, are communicating with our 100 graduates across the country to form a support network. They volunteer in hospitals, comforting people and giving them a sense of hope.

Nerland
Nerland's house was not damaged and her family is alive. Nerland says everyone in her neighborhood is calm except during the aftershocks. They are all sleeping on the streets, because the buildings may collapse at any moment because of poor construction. There is zero presence of any UN or aid relief to her neighborhood, and they are running out of water. Families cluster together in a semi-organized fashion, and the neighborhoods have formed loose governments that communicate internally and with other neighborhoods. The strong young men have formed brigades to patrol the streets, as there are robbers raiding homes.
Nerland's house was not damaged and her family is alive. Nerland says everyone in her neighborhood is calm except during the aftershocks. They are all sleeping on the streets, because the buildings may collapse at any moment because of poor construction. There is zero presence of any UN or aid relief to her neighborhood, and they are running out of water. Families cluster together in a semi-organized fashion, and the neighborhoods have formed loose governments that communicate internally and with other neighborhoods. The strong young men have formed brigades to patrol the streets, as there are robbers raiding homes.

Ishfaq Ahmed, 13 years

I used to be very depressed and I wanted was to die and there was severe pain in the knees now the pain is gone so have bad thoughts.

Baby

Our houses got damaged due to tsunami. We stayed in the temple. Guruji built this house for us within 6 months. We were one of the first to have a house built for us. When Guruji came here our houses were completely built. The photo came in newspaper. I became very happy.

Kelly McGuire

The Art of Living course allowed me to release a lot of stress and chaos that I was feeling prior to that. It just allowed me personally to go really deep within myself, and it was very peaceful and serene and relaxing.

Begum Azie, Shaalkot village

Until we did the breath exercises my heart had not stopped pounding, not since the earthquake. Now at last I am at peace.

TENKASI S. JAWAHAR, Ex-District Collector

At the time of tsunami many NGOs provided food and material needs but only a few like the IAHV-Art of Living took care of the mental trauma. So far over 35,000 people have benefitted from trauma relief programs of the Art of Living.

Arul, fisherman

Whoever comes on this planet should come for this course. Physically, I felt exhausted all the time and experienced heaviness in my limbs. The severe mental stress that I was under led to disorders in my digestive system as well as acute pain in my back and shoulders. After the meditation, I experienced a tangible reversal of my mental attitude from fatalistic negativity to hope and responsibility. In fact, after the Sudarshan Kriya, I felt so free from fear and skepticism that I felt unafraid even of the threat of another Tsunami.

Arul

In fact, after the Sudarshan Kriya, I felt so free from fear and skepticism that I felt unafraid even of the threat of another Tsunami, confident that I would not only survive but handle whatever situation comes in life.

The Daily Texan
Disaster relief
While charitable organizations have provided Hurricane Katrina victims with essentials, such as food, clothes and shelter, the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values offered emotional support.

Vishwas Rao
Survivor, Mumbai train blasts (July 2006)
After attending just these few days of the course, I have now geared up to deal with any disaster with a smile. In fact, I boarded a local train to attend today's session. It was the first time since the blasts.

The Sudarshan Kriya helped me overcome my tendency to fall into depression and the yogic exercises relieved me of my physical tribulation of continuous headache and severe body pain enabling me to go back to work again.

My friends and others around me have also noticed the positive transformation in my demeanor and have been amazed at my returning to the sea and continuing fishing.

But the tsunami turned everything in my life on its head. I finally found respite from the suffocating fear after the IAHV-Art of Living Breath-Water-Sound workshop for trauma relief.

After the meditation, I experienced a tangible reversal of my mental attitude from fatalistic negativity to hope and responsibility.

For Taiyal the terror and revolution she felt as she saw mangled corpses of small children floating in the wreckage left a deep gorge of traumatic fear in her that eventually led to insomnia, mental confusion and doubts.

Suresh

I feel confident and happy and re-born after the workshop and am able to support my family and livelihood with strength.

Eventually, Taiyal went to the IAHV-Art of Living Breath-Water-Sound workshop for Trauma Relief where she spent a dynamic 5days. Following the course, her body experienced rest and healing for the first time inmonths, her mind felt absolutely peaceful and relaxed.

Taiyal Nayaki

Taiyal has trained in jute bag tailoring under the regular workshop conducted by the IAHV-Art of Living Vocational Training center for Women

All the fears, confusions and horrific thoughts subsided and she began to feel free. Today in fond memory of her teacher Rukmini, Taiyal is able to retell her story with a smile

Priyadarshini, is one of the children who attended the IAHV-Art of Living Child Care Centre in Nambiar Nagar village. She lost her younger sister in Tsunami. The memory of the incident still terrifies this sensitive and impressionable young child.

Priyadarshini

She recalls this, and simply smiles planting a big kiss on her teacher and on the photograph of Guruji.

AOLF Trauma Relief Sichuan Mission Team Leader

When children have cried all they can and are unable to express themselves further, where else can they turn to for emotional support and affection?

When people especially care-givers-such as parents, rescue and relief volunteers-are in trauma, how can they adequately attend to others in need?. . . the most disturbing consequence is that children suffer the greatest in the end. . .

A member
Art of Living Foundation Trauma Relief Sichuan Mission
No matter how much you have seen and heard, nothing. . . nothing, can possibly prepare you for the tragedy that hit the Shifang Middle-School. 150 pupils and teachers perished under the debris and rubble when four floors collapsed onto each other.

They [IAHV-Art of Living} actually have been working with us especially focusing on trauma care. They have full time presence in the area. What I am happy about them is that right through, their volunteers have been working with us in a selfless manner trying to involve the communities, so that they can be mainstreamed now.

Dr. Reginald Shaw
Director of Global Brotherhood of Light (GBL), Inc. Youth Ministries
I've noticed that each day, after completing the programme the kids are happier, less restless and their minds are so much more settled. I have personally experienced the benefits of the Art of Living techniques and found it very helpful in clearing my mind.

Begum Azie
Shaalkot village, Baramullah, Kashmir, October 20, 2005
Until we did the breath exercises my heart had not stopped pounding, not since the earthquake. Now at last I am at peace, I will tell my neighbours.

Arshad Khan
aged 14, Gabra village
Every morning I used to wake up with a jolt, my whole body used to ache and at night I used to be very scared of noises and I missed my mother who died in quake. Now I am feeling very relaxed and no longer afraid of noises.

DR. J. Radhakrishnanam
(Ex-District Collector, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu)
Art of Living services will definitely be remembered in Nagapttinam. I am sure their value based services will help in improving quality of life of its affected citizens especially the unfortunate victims of Tsunami.

The Daily Texan

While charitable organizations have provided Hurricane Katrina victims with essentials, such as food, clothes and shelter, the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values offered emotional support.

The Daily Texan

While charitable organizations have provided Hurricane Katrina victims with essentials, such as food, clothes and shelter, the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values offered emotional support.

Adama
Member of the Deula tribe
We lived together and discovered our ways were so similar. There is no fear. We're brothers.

Shafiqur Rehman
Trauma-relief program participant
We knew only death and despair. Now we can smile, and that is the greatest gift that Sri Sri has given us.

Jean-Claude
A youth in the region (referring to Sri Sri)
How can someone sitting far away in India care so much for us and send somebody to help us?

Vishwas Rao
Survivor, Mumbai train blasts (July 2006)
After attending just these few days of the course, I have now geared up to deal with any disaster with a smile. In fact, I boarded a local train to attend today's session. It was the first time since the blasts. ?

Ahmed Hinoon on his experience of a training program at the Art of Living International Center in Bangalore

It feels like breathing out all the stress of war and breathing in a new life. This program has changed my life. After so many years, I am able to control my mind. I am now ready to face the challenges of life.

Diaster Relief
Staff from hospitals, faculty from primary schools and over 350 personnel from reputed hotels in Chengdu underwent the workshop. 50 school teachers and 250 students benefited from special workshops which were conducted in schools In Dujiangyan. The workshop acted as a powerful trauma-relieving tool.

Begum Azie
Shaalkot village, Baramullah, Kashmir
Until we did the breath exercises my heart had not stopped pounding, not since the earthquake. Now at last I am at peace.

Whitney Bank
Katrina survivor
The course gave me much more than I expected. I was able to feel free and relaxed. I was able to find some peace where I had none. I had a feeling of peace, greater awareness and relaxation - something I didnt had before.

Kelly McGuire
displaced resident of New Orleans
The Art of Living course allowed me to release a lot of stress and chaos that I was feeling prior to that. It just allowed me personally to go really deep within myself, and it was very peaceful and serene and relaxing

Ishfaq Ahmed
13 years
I used to be very depressed and I wanted was to die and there was severe pain in the knees now the pain is gone so have bad thoughts.

Ashfaq
15 years
I used to feel that my brain has stopped working, there was no retention power left, now after the course I am feeling very fresh and I am thinking about the future.

A member
Art of Living Foundation Trauma Relief Sichuan Mission
No matter how much you have seen and heard, nothing

Dr. Reginald Shaw
Director of Global Brotherhood of Light (GBL), Inc. Youth Ministries
I've noticed that each day, after completing the program the kids are happier, less restless and their minds are so much more settled. I have personally experienced the benefits of the Art of Living techniques and found it very helpful in clearing my mind.

Kelly McGuire
Displaced resident of New Orleans
{The Art of Living course} allowed me to release a lot of stress and chaos that I was feeling prior to that. It just allowed me personally to go really deep within myself and it was very peaceful, serene and relaxing.

The severe mental stress that I was under led to disorders in my digestive system as well as acute pain in my back and shoulders.

I finally found respite from the suffocating fear after the IAHV-Art of Living Breath-Water-Sound workshop for trauma relief. The Sudarshan Kriya helped me overcome my tendency to fall into depression and the yogic exercises relieved me of my physical tribulation of continuous headache and severe body pain enabling me to go back to work again.

Allan Kirsten
Attorney
It was a chance to purge the sadness from my system. (There was) a real serenity, combined with a feeling of energy.

Dr. Reginald Shaw
Director, Global Brotherhood of Light (GBL), Inc. Youth Ministries
I

James Bossert
Battalion 32 Fire Chief in his letter to The Art of Living Foundation
I will always remember how this city rallied around its firefighters during this tragedy, but I will remember most of all the contribution of your group.

Afet Billali
Disabled war veteran, Kosovo
As a KLA soldier, I was wounded three times during the war. During my sleep, I heard my brother

A 14-year-old girl
Survivor of Shifang school tragedy
Please thank those teachers for me. After doing the exercises, I feel my inside is freed. I feel so much more comfortable now.

Being able to finally let go of the awful images of blood and gore of the past, was literally the gift of life as it brought me out of the fatalist, suicidal depression that I had fallen into. I felt transformed and healed and ready, for the first time in my life, to help others.

Physically, I felt exhausted all the time and experienced heaviness in my limbs. The severe mental stress that I was under led to disorders in my digestive system as well as acute pain in my back and shoulders. After the meditation, I experienced a tangible reversal of my mental attitude from fatalistic negativity to hope and responsibility.

The Sudarshan Kriya helped me overcome my tendency to fall into depression and the yogic exercises relieved me of my physical tribulation of continuous headache and severe body pain enabling me to go back to work again.

Taiyal Nayaki

The Sudarshan Kriya helped me overcome my tendency to fall into depression and the logic exercisesof my physical troubles. Following the course, her body experienced rest and healing for the first time in months, her mind felt absolutely peaceful and relaxed. All the fears, confusions and horrific thoughts subsided and she began to feel free. Today in fond memory of her teacher Rukmini, Taiyal is able to retell her story with a smile

Tenkasi S. Jawahar
(Ex-District Collector, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu)
At the time of tsunami many NGOs provided food and material needs but only a few like the IAHV-Art of Living took care of the mental trauma. So far over 35, 000 people have benefitted from trauma relief programs of the Art of Living.

At 27 years of age, I had settled firmly into the daily rhythms of a fisherman

Suresh
Fisherman
My friends and others around me have also noticed the positive transformation in my demeanor and have been amazed at my returning to the sea and continuing fishing. I feel confident and happy and re-born after the workshop and am able to support my family and livelihood with strength.

Arul
Fisherman
In fact, after the Sudarshan Kriya, I felt so free from fear and skepticism that I felt unafraid even of the threat of another Tsunami.

Priyadarshini

Priyadarshini, is one of the children who attended the IAHV-Art of Living Child Care Centre in Nambiar Nagar village. She lost her younger sister in Tsunami. The memory of the incident still terrifies this sensitive and impressionable young child. For a long time Pradarshini

Shafiqur Rehman
A trauma-relief program participant
We knew only death and despair. Now we can smile. This is the greatest gift that the Art of Living has given us.

Mustafa Abdul Ameer Jawad

We have come here because we are really touched by the trauma relief and other initiatives undertaken by the Art of Living in Iraq in the aftermath of the war.

Ramia Sagban
Baghdad
The situation in Iraq is so bad that people do not know how to smile and here we see everybody smiling. We had no hope and we could only pray for some power to come and take us out of the situation. We think the Art of Living is that power.

Linoy

I feel relieved and strong. Finally, I

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki

There are big powers who have big might, but they are not able unite the hearts and mind of people. This work can be done only by a spiritual leader.

Dinesh Tirodkar

Memories of the blast, the bleeding bodies and the screams haunted me for nights until my wife Pushpa finally forced me into attending this course that has completely rejuvenated my entire being.

Ali Abdulhur Humady

We will go back and spread the knowledge of Art of Living in Iraq. People of Iraq need this badly. They are undergoing a lot of mental and emotional tensions. Everybody is harboring revenge in their minds. Only Art of Living can help change people's mind.

Rukmini, teacher
Following the course, her body experienced rest and healing for the first time in months, her mind felt absolutely peaceful and relaxed. All the fears, confusions and horrific thoughts subsided and she began to feel free. Today in fond memory of her teacher Rukmini, Taiyal is able to retell her story with a smile… indicating a miraculous recovery.

Suresh, fisherman
My friends and others around me have also noticed the positive transformation in my demeanor and have been amazed at my returning to the sea and continuing fishing. I feel confident and happy and re-born after the workshop and am able to support my family and livelihood with strength.

Wilner and Lesly
Also being inundated with refugees, Lovely reports that they are having trouble organizing Breath Water Sound because of instability. They are planning to form relationships with relief agencies to present BWS and deliver programs. They have a strong track record with BWS, already having taught almost 600 people BWS in Cap Haitian since September.

Anon
‘We did need help with how to get rid of stress. Several people like me lost their homes and everything. And for some time we were homeless. It has helped me and I believe it will help others if they are given a chance."

Anon
‘We did need help with how to get rid of stress. Several people like me lost their homes and everything. And for some time we were homeless. It has helped me and I believe it will help others if they are given a chance."

RAMADASS
"I am residing in Manickkapangu and I am a fisherman. IAHV-Art of living changed our village and built the first English medium school here for all our children. After the school was built the panchayat members took initiative and built a roadway for this school. IAHV-Art of Living ‘adopted a village’ and without seeing any discrimination they built the houses for them. After Tsunami, many organizations came with the intention to help people but the only organization which built a school for the children and gave yoga courses to free from all the shock, was Art of Living. In Guruji’s school, students are given free books, notebooks and uniforms. In this school majority of the children who are poor and whose families were affected by Tsunami are studying. We never even dreamed that Guruji’s school will come up to this level. People are admitting their students in Guruji’s school because of the change in mannerisms of the students after joining this school".

TENKASI S. JAWAHAR
"At the time of tsunami many NGOs provided food and material needs but only a few like the IAHV-Art of Living took care of the mental trauma. So far over 35,000 people have benefitted from trauma relief programs of the Art of Living".

BABY
"Our houses got damaged due to tsunami. We stayed in the temple. Guruji built this house for us within 6 months. We were one of the first to have a house built for us. When Guruji came here our houses were completely built. The photo came in newspaper. I became very happy."

Anon
"We did need help with how to get rid of stress. Several people like me lost their homes and everything. And for some time we were homeless. It has helped me and I believe it will help others if they are given a chance."

Arshad Khan
"Every morning I used to wake up with a jolt, my whole body used to ache and at night I used to be very scared of noises and I missed my mother who died in the earthquake. Now I feel very relaxed and no longer afraid of noises."

A 14 year-old girl student of Shifang School
“I remember being buried with my dead classmates around me under the concrete pile and mess. Only three others survived. Please thank those [Art of Living] teachers for me. After doing the exercises, I feel my inside is freed. I feel so much more comfortable now.”

Satish Tripathi
"We found the work done by Art of Living volunteers more than up to the mark. Not only were they sincere and transparent, but they were also very compassionate. They willingly went to difficult areas, visited more than 10,000 households and talked to people about their needs and problems. What was more impressive was that they were quick in action, which is needed at such times."

A 14 year-old girl student of Shifang School
“I remember being buried with my dead classmates around me under the concrete pile and mess. Only three others survived. Please thank those [Art of Living] teachers for me. After doing the exercises, I feel my inside is freed. I feel so much more comfortable now.”

Satish Tripathi
"We found the work done by Art of Living volunteers more than up to the mark. Not only were they sincere and transparent, but they were also very compassionate. They willingly went to difficult areas, visited more than 10,000 households and talked to people about their needs and problems. What was more impressive was that they were quick in action, which is needed at such times."

Action medeor - Memo
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Red Cross
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Visit Tsunami-Hit Srinivasapuram, Foreshore Estate
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Service Adds Value To Life: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Consoles Victims Of Tsunami
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar listening to victims
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, gives away relief materials to Tsunami affected people at Srinivasapuram
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NGOs help run relief machine smoothly
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Team of Volunteers From City Reach Remote Earthquake-Hit Villages
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Art of Living Foundation - To Adopt 26 Quake-Hit Gujarati Villages
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