Page 28 - The Indian EYE 031822

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MARCH 18, 2022 | The Indian Eye 28

b.a.P.S Volunteers from robbinsville,

new Jersey, Help refugees in ukraine

OuR BuREAu
REZSZOW, Poland

s a devastating humanitarian
crisis unfolds in Ukraine, hun-
adreds of thousands are fleeing
the warzone seeking refuge in neigh-
boring countries. This has included
thousands of Indian nationals, mainly
students, who have been left stranded
amid the conflict.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi personally called BAPS to as-
sist the government’s efforts for the
safe passage of Indian nationals from
Ukraine. Pujya Brahmaviharidas
Swami reassured the Prime Minister:
“We have also been instructed by His
Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to
mobilise BAPS volunteers.”
Volunteers from the USA, UK,
Ireland, France, Switzerland, Ita-
ly, Germany, Austria and Poland
swiftly sprang into action to support
the emergency relief efforts on the
ground. This has included setting up a
mobile field kitchen in the south-east-
ern Polish city of Rzeszów, which has
begun feeding around 1,000 hot veg-
etarian meals daily to refugees of all
faiths and nationalities. BAPS is also
arranging accommodation facilities
and coordinating medical assistance
and is working closely with the Indian
government and local partners.
Volunteers travelled from Rob-
binsville, NJ to Rezszow, Poland
and to Budomierz, Poland, on the
Ukrainian border to help distribute “Helping others through selfless NJ. “We are working with local mem- The people of India are indebted to
humanitarian supplies to and facil- service — ‘seva’ is a fundamental bers of the Ukrainian community and your swift, selfless and organised ac-
itate the transport of international principle of BAPS Swaminarayan our volunteer forces on the ground tion.”
students and others fleeing Ukraine. Sanstha,” Dharmik Sheth, a phar- in Poland to send necessary human- Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried
Darshan Patel, an attorney maceutical professional, said. “I am itarian aid via our logistics partners. immediately commended Ravi Patni
by profession serving at the refu- following my faith – and my family The volunteers who flew from New and his fellow volunteers: “On behalf
gee camp said, “Seeing the need to tradition. My father also volunteered Jersey have been communicating in- of Robbinsville, we are very proud of
help students and refugees leaving during humanitarian crises when I formation about supplies needed on BAPS and their efforts to help the
Ukraine, I took a flight to Poland to was young.” the ground. We are trying our best to Ukrainian people. Hopefully, we can
serve them. The least we can do is “Our volunteers are inspired by supply them.” find a way to have the Township work
make them comfortable during this the ethos of HH Pramukh Swami Vijay Kumar Singh, former together to help those people who
stressful time by providing them food Maharaj, who personified the mot- Army Chief of Staff and current are going through an unimaginably
and basic necessities.” to ‘In the joy of others lies our own’, Minister of State for Transport and difficult time.”
Shailesh Bhavsar, a lead BAPS and there has perhaps never been a Civil Aviation, observed the tireless His Holiness Mahant Swami
volunteer from Paris, explained the more opportune moment to embody efforts of the volunteers first-hand in Maharaj has also prayed for the wel-
process at the camp: “Once they ar- this selfless spirit of public service by Rzeszów and commented: “I would fare of those affected: “We offer our
rive at the camp, we work on register- providing the basic needs for those like to personally congratulate and deepest gratitude to these volunteers.
ing them, providing them with meals, severely impacted by the conflict,” commend BAPS volunteers. You We also offer our prayers that peace
giving them a place to stay and rest said Pujya Nilkanthsevadas Swami, are helping everyone with a sense of prevails, and those who are suffering
before processing them to go to the Head Swami at the BAPS Shri Swa- unity, without any expectations, and are provided support, strength and
airport for a flight home.” minarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, without worrying about yourselves. courage.”

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