Patna Daily
http://www.patnadaily.com/news2008/oct/102208/prakash_jha_in_ca.html
Prakash Jha to Attend Charity Event in California
http://www.patnadaily.com/news2008/oct/100708/prakash_jha_to_attend_charity_event.html
US-Based Bihar Organization Raising Money for Flood Relief
http://www.patnadaily.com/news2008/sept/093008/us_organization_raising_relief_fund.html
The recent floods in Bihar have wrought
devastation in over 3 million lives. Damages are estimated to be more than
5
billion Rupees. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has declared
the situation in Bihar “a national calamity.” The consequences
of this crisis
will persist for years to come.In
this time of crisis, Bay Area organizations led by the American Organization
for Development of Bihar (AODB, Tax ID # 94-3153577) and Bihar Samaj have
come
together with American India Foundation, BATA, FIA-NC, FIBA, FIJIANA, India
Community Center, Indians for Collective Action, India Literacy Project,
Prabasi, Sewa International, Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, TiE, and UPMA and are
working together to raise funds to help in the relief work.
We are holding a fundraising event: National Bihar Relief Day on Friday, Oct 17, 2008, 7pm; at India Community Center (ICC), 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas. Film producer-director-screenwriter Prakash Jha, known for his political and socio-political films Damul, Mrityudand, and Gangaajal will attend as featured guest. The evening will feature musical entertainment by Bay Area favorites, Praveen Chaddha and Ritee, along with Sanjay Sen. The variety entertainment will also feature kathak by Tarangini School of Kathak Dance, film dance by Naach and Aavartan teams. In addition to helping a good cause, you will have a great time!
Prakash Jha has initiated a flood relief and rehabilitation project in Bihar called Punarwaas, which has adopted Relief Camp -22RD, the village Kataiya (40 kms from district headquarters of Supaul) . The camp will provide complete care for 5,000 people including food, clothing, healthcare, sanitation, education and eventually - rehabilitation. The camp will also provide vocational training and employment opportunities for these people. In this mission they are partnering with Prayas, a local NGO. Other organizations are providing valuable support: healthcare and medical is supported by UNICEF and sanitation by Sulabh International. Sunil Banka and Associates, a chartered accountant and finance consultant firm, will audit the fund management on an honorary basis.
As of Sep 29, 2008, Punarwaas reached a milestone when it completed the first phase of the project with the construction of 400 huts for the flood survivors. The huts are equipped with kitchen facilities and food grains. The huts, built between Birpur and Balua Bazaar, are now occupied.