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[ Monday, Nov. 15, 1999 ]
Walk-a-thon supports Indian cyclone relief
By ALISSA WISNOUSE
Collegian Staff Writer
The increasing international enrollment at Penn State magnifies the impact global events can have on campus.
PHOTO: Jason Fagone
Kavetha Nellore (graduate-life sciences), left, speaks to the crowd gathered yesterday at Old Main for a walk-a-thon.
The Association for India's Development is raising funds to aid victims of the cyclone that struck the coastal region of Orissa, India, on Oct. 29, leaving an estimated 10,000 dead. Ten million people have lost their homes, livestock or livelihoods.
As part of the fund-raising effort, AID held a walkathon yesterday. About 80 students, professors, members of the local community and children walked around campus behind a banner that read, "Indian Cyclone Relief Fund."
"Most of us come from India," said Vithal Shirodakr, president of Penn State's chapter of AID. "We need to help our state."
Shirodakr (graduate-computer science and engineering) estimated the event raised about $1,000 toward the group's goal of $5,000. The total money raised will be donated to Adhikar, a non-governmental association that helps cyclone survivors regain their livelihoods.
"I just hope we can do our small bit," Shirodakr said. "The magnitude (of damage) is large, but every bit helps."
In addition to AID, other groups including the American Red Cross and the Indian Student Association, are offering support for the fund-raising campaign.
"It is a collective effort," said Shailabh Nagar, chapter coordinator of AID-Penn State.
Many community members attended the activity to show their support and raise awareness about the situation.
"We are here to try to help the cyclone victims, show our sympathy and collect money," said Madhu Reddy, who brought his 5-year-old daughter, Haarika.
Other than earning donations, one of the most important goals of the walkathon was to raise publicity about the current situation in India.
"I think we reached our goal of increasing publicity and awareness because we pretty much walked through the entire campus," said Pradeep Bhatta (graduate-mechanical engineering), AID-Penn State member.
At the end of the walk, the participants gathered in front of Old Main. ISA President Medul Suthar (senior-biochemistry and molecular biology) suggested a moment of silence and encouraged the audience to continue its efforts toward the cause.
"It's really great (the effort), but hopefully it's not over. We have one more week," Suthar said.
The fund-raising campaign began last Sunday and will continue this week with donation tables around campus and donation boxes in the academic departments. The campaign will culminate at the ISA's Diwali cultural function at 3 p.m. Sunday in Eisenhower Auditorium.
