India to send woollen blankets to Japan

A woman embraces her grandchild as they were reunited at a shelter in Natori, Miyagi, after Friday's catastrophic earthquake and tsunami In Northern Japan!

 

Members of Parliament, artists and social activists participated in a candlelight vigil here on Sunday offering prayers for the victims of the twin disaster of quake and tsunami in Japan even as India decided to despatch a planeload of woollen blankets for the displaced reeling in winter.

Thirty Indians who took shelter in rehabilitation camps in Tanida, a tsunami-affected area in Japan, have since been shifted to a hotel, according to official sources.

The Japanese Embassy held a candlelight vigil for the quake victims and paid condolences to those who lost their lives. Envoy Akitaka Saiki thanked the international community for its quick and kind response in Japan’s hour of grief and said his government was touched by the gesture. Stressing that Japan was coping with the worst tragedy in recent times, the envoy said all efforts were being made to provide relief to stranded people.

Those present included BJP MPs Tarun Vijay, Rama Jois and BSP MP Vijay Bahadur Singh, theatre artiste Amir Raza Hussain and the former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mukut Mithi. Mr. Vijay saluted the spirit of Japan in coping with the situation and rebuilding the country.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao revealed on the twitter India’s assistance to Japan to provide relief to people displaced in Sendai and other regions now reeling under cold weather also.

Following her discussions with the Japanese Ambassador, woollen blankets were chosen as the most appropriate and useful commodity for the affected population.

The Ministry of External Affairs is in constant touch with Japanese authorities on their requirements with the commitment to extend all possible help in this hour of crisis.

The MEA has approached the Haryana and Punjab governments to procure

 

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Pictures

Buildings burn after an earthquake near Sendai Airport, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011

Houses are swept by a tsunami in Natori City in northeastern Japan March 11, 2011.

Houses are swept by a tsunami in Natori City in northeastern Japan March 11, 2011

Houses, cars and other debris are washed away by a tsunami in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan, after strong earthquakes hit the area Friday, March 11, 2011.

A massive tsunami hits the coastal areas of Iwanuma, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011.

People watch the aftermath of tsunami waves covering a port at Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan, after strong earthquakes hit the area Friday, March 11, 2011.

Buildings are damaged by a tsunami following an earthquake in Iwaki City, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011.

Houses swept by a tsunami smoulder near Sendai Airport in Japan March 11, 2011. There were several strong aftershocks and a warning of a 10-meter tsunami following the quake, which also caused buildings to shake violently in the capital Tokyo

Houses are swept by water following a tsunami and earthquake in Natori City in northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. There were several strong aftershocks and a warning of a 10-meter tsunami following the quake, which also caused buildings to shake violently in the capital Tokyo

Natural gas storage tanks burn at the Cosmo oil refinery in Ichihara city, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo March 11, 2011

Natural gas storage tanks burn at a facility in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo March 11, 2011.

An office building burns in Tokyo after an earthquake March 11, 2011.

 

Streets are flooded after a tsunami and earthquake in Kesennuma city, Miyagi Prefecture, March 11, 2011

A whirlpool is seen near Oarai City, Ibaraki Prefecture, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011.

An aerial shot shows vehicles ready for shipping being carried by a tsunami wave at Hitachinaka city in Ibaraki prefecture on March 11, 2011

An earthquake-triggered tsunami washes away a warehouse and vehicles in Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture (state), Japan, Friday March 11, 2011. The ferocious tsunami spawned by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded slammed Japan's eastern coasts.