The El Dorado Shiv Mandir (ESM), Maha Sabha Branch 51 has joined with the Rotary Club of Maracas/St Joseph to send aid to Japan. On April 10, ESM's treasurer, Supersad Maharaj, handed over to Jalim Ramnarine, president, Rotary Club Maracas/St Joseph a cheque to forward along to Rotary Japan. "I thank the El Dorado temple for recognising the importance of giving aid to Japan. I have been in touch with Rotary Japan and all contributions are required to help those who have been affected by last month's earthquake and tsunami.
"Almost a month has gone by and Japan is still in a fragile state as a result of the devastation. My rotary club is committed to matching all contributions received for the Japan relief," commented Rotary president Ramnarine. "Japan is now facing its worst crisis since World War II. Approximately 1,000 bodies were found strewn along the battered coast of Miyagi prefecture. "And we here in the west, while we do not have the physical scars from the aftermath, are being affected by the Japan scenario. "In economic terms, for instance, Japan is a major exporter of which many of the western hemisphere countries are the importers," Ramnarine said.
"We are happy as a temple we were able to make a contribution to Japan," he continued."The aid, I am sure, will go a long way to assist those affected by the disaster in Japan," said Nirmala Harrylal, ESM's president. "I wish to encourage organisations, whether they are profit-based organisations, professional associations or even non-governmental organisations, to continue in their efforts to serve brothers and sisters, right here at home and even as far as those in the east. As Maracas/St Joseph's president Ramnarine pointed out, the world is so interconnected that we cannot afford to turn a blind eye," she concluded.