Indian expatriates in UAE to help flood victims in J&K

Dubai, Sep 24: Indian expatriates from

and

in United Arab Emirates (UAE) are joining hands to work towards rebuilding the flood-hit state, media reported Wednesday.

The Indian consulate in Dubai said a delegation of Kashmiri diaspora had an open house discussion with Ambassador of India to the UAE, T.P. Seetharam, and Consul-General of India in Dubai, Anurag Bhushan, to discuss and address their concerns regarding the recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir, Khaleej Times reported.

"The ambassador and consul-general have promised complete support within the framework of Indian and local laws towards various means of assistance proposed during the discussion," the consulate said in a statement.

"The Kashmiris appreciated the selfless efforts of the Indian Army and thanked the ambassador and consul-general for having provided a local hotline during the time when the telephone lines were down in Kashmir," the consulate added.

The ambassador said the embassy has already forwarded some significant contributions, mainly Rs.10 million (about $160,000) each from prominent Indians such as M.A. Yousuffali and B.R. Shetty and another Rs.2.5 million from Shamsheer V.P.

Jibran Mantoo, a Kashmiri expatriate who personally rescued many marooned flood victims, said many Kashmiris were holding meetings to chalk out rehabilitation plans, the report said.

IANS