Summer monsoon rains brought flooding to northern India, with many inhabitants becoming homeless and in need of living necessities, temporary shelter as well as medical aid. With Master's loving concern and blessing, two Singapore rescue teams flew to India in early August 2007 to provide relief aid to the states of Bihar and Assam.

The team that traveled to Assam returned after a few days of careful survey, having ensured that the flood victims were well taken care of by the government. The Bihar team was able to provide timely aid to many villagers who were in urgent need. The relief fund of US$ 80,000 from Master was used to purchase items such as plastic sheets, rice, biscuit, sugar, and wheat flour. Initiates also took the opportunity to introduce Master to the grateful villagers who were eager to know more about Her, giving sample booklets, photos of Master and website information.

Distribution of goods at Riga block of Sitamarhi District

In the Riga block of villages in Sitamarhi district, 3,000 families had been affected by the flood. Many villagers were already sharing food and shelter with their less fortunate neighbors. When initiates found 250 families who were badly affected and needed immediate help, they went about to purchase the requested daily necessities. With the assistance of a helpful and resourceful translator, Mr. Jude Peters, his colleague, Mr. Kaushlendra, and the friendly workers at the wholesale markets, 250 packets of relief items were prepared in a short time. During the distribution of the packets, curious villagers were often eager to know more about Master's teachings. One young man said that he would visit the Supreme Master Television website to watch the programs.

Villagers singing praise of Master during unloading of goods.

In the district of Darbhanga, nineteen villages were seriously affected by the flood, with 5,000 families in need of food, plastic sheets and baby milk powder, according to the village head, Dr. C.C. Nagendra. With strong determination and prayer, fellow practitioners managed to find all the required items and prepared 5,000 relief packets for distribution.

The villagers greeted initiates very happily. After a local person explained that the food and shelter items were provided out of Master's loving concern for them, the villagers applauded. Many said that this was the first time someone had come to their village and showed such kindness and love to them. They started singing a song in praise of Master, “Long Live Supreme Master Ching Hai,” and continued singing throughout the unloading of the items. Dr. C.C. Nagendra also delivered a speech expressing his gratitude to Master and the Association. When initiates were leaving for the next district, the villagers lined up along the pavement to bid them farewell, and once again singing praise of Master. Dr C.C. Nagendra and his helpers helped distribute the relief items to all the villagers over the next 2 days.

In Begusarai district, the relief team provided 6,000 plastic shelters for needy families, each with a sticker that had a photo of Master on it. Mr. Kalumudin, the Block Development Officer of this district, was very appreciative and said that he would like to send a letter of appreciation to Master.

In Khagaria district, about 150 villages were submerged in water, and approximately 20,000 families were staying along a dam. Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the relief team surveyed the dam by boat with help from translator Mr. Jude Peters, lawyer Mr. Singh and Mr. Suresh Yadav, who were in charge of the area. Over the next two days, they purchased relief items, which included 5,000 plastic sheets and 680 packets consisting of flat rice and sugar from sugar cane and then packed. Seeing the fellow practitioners' fast action and cooperative spirit, the staff there was motivated and sped up their work as well. Even the owner of the factory happily joined in. With the volunteered assistance of the rice and plastic sheet company owners, a full truckload of relief items was delivered to the villages, which their members gratefully received. The owner of the plastic sheet company even came to the airport to bid initiates farewell!

Upon completing the flood relief mission, the team left India on Aug. 21st and arrived back safely in Singapore. Through this mission, everyone felt they obtained valuable experiences on how to provide fast and efficient aid to people in need. Especially those who participated for the first time said that they learnt a lot during this trip. Cooperation of the local residents was important to be able to complete the work with high efficiency, and all were touched by the loving concern and kind help from them. May God bestow the people of India with many blessings!

 

Unloading of rice and sugar packages	Villagers with Master's photos
Group photo of drivers, translator, plastic sheet supplier and helpers with initiates at Patna airport.	Hotel staff happily accepting Master's Sample Booklets

Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai
for Flood Relief Aid in Bihar, India

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