IPPNW-Students India

Indian Doctors helping after Kashmir Earthquake

October 2005

A four member team of Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) including Dr Arun Mitra-General Secretary, Dr Shakti Kumar-a Neuro Psychiatrist from Ludhiana, Dr Sudhir Dhakre-Physician from Agra and Sh.Kuldeep Singh, together with Dr G M Malik-Head of the Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar & President J & K State unit of IDPD, Dr Yasmeen Rauf-Secretary, Dr Nazneen and Dr Wasim went to the distant areas in district Kupwara on 19th October 2005 and distributed the relief material to those rendered shelter less by the earth quake. The IDPD had issued a call to all state units and a general appeal to the people to come forward in this hour of crisis, which received and an encouraging response. IDPD team took with it a truck load of material consisting of 1000 Blankets, 600 Sweaters, 100 Wind Cheater and large number of other body wears. The team was shocked at the damage caused by the calamity. It expressed grief for the deceased sympathy fro the injured. It was indeed a horrifying experience to see the houses fallen. The facial expression of inhabitants displayed a great deal of sadness & apprehension and hoping for the arrival of some timely help.

The team also met the Deputy Commissioner and SSP Kupwara who provided necessary help for the safe delivery of the relief material. The IDPD relief team later visited the district hospital Handwara and met the doctors there, who narrated the horrifying stories of how the OPD block was damaged when they were examining patients. Now they are holding OPD in the tents. Their courage, perseverance and dedication in the hour of crises and in the face of lack of necessary equipment was appreciable. They informed the difficulties faced by them. The IDPD relief team assured of necessary help with in there means.

On the 20th October 2005 the team met the minister of Environment & Forests Mr.Ghulam Sofi and appraised him of their experience. They thanked him for all the cooperation extended to the team in the relief work. A press conference was held at his residence, which was addressed by the minister and Dr Arun Mitra-General Secretary IDPD.

Later in the noon a meeting of the local IDPD members was held in the Government Medical College and SMHS Hospital, Srinagar. Dr G M Malik HOD Medicine informed all the members about the relief work undertaken. Dr Arun Mitra addressed the meeting and gave a detailed account of aims and objectives of IDPD and International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). He stressed on the need for peace in the sub continent, which could be a guarantee to development. Dr Yasmeen Rauf assured of continued effort to build an effective IDPD unit in J & K state.

Dr Arun Mitra