We’re with Nepal: PM

Girja Shankar Kaura

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 26

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India was with the “sisters and brothers” of Nepal in its time of crisis following the terrible earthquake that has already claimed over 2,300 lives.

In his radio monthly address “Mann ki Baat”, Modi said: “My dear brothers and sisters of Nepal, India is with you in this hour of grief. For 125 crore Indians, Nepal is their own. India will do its best to wipe the tears of every Nepali, hold their hands and stand with them. The first thing is to beef up rescue operation. Relief and rehabilitation operations will continue.” Sharing his pain over a series of natural calamities hitting the region in the recent past, Modi said he was anguished and did not feel like going ahead with his radio address today.

“When I spoke to you last month, hailstorms and unseasonal rains had occurred, devastating the farmers. A few days ago, a storm hit Bihar killing many people and causing a lot of damage. And now, this devastating earthquake has shaken the whole world.”

He said: “It seems a series of natural disasters has begun. The quake has also killed many people in India. Property has also been damaged. But the destruction and damage in Nepal is massive,” he said, adding he could feel the pain of the people of Nepal as he had himself seen the January 2001 earthquake devastation at Kutchh of Gujarat from close quarters.