Amdavadi duo raise aid for Japan quake in UK

AHMEDABAD: Like the rest of the world, the pictures of havoc caused by recent natural calamities in Japan moved this Amdavadi duo. Settled in the UK, artist Jignesh Patel and software expert Monark Bhojani kept thinking of the ways to help the people hit by tsunami and earthquake. But looking at the aid already reaching Japan from across the globe, they decided to wait for a while.
The two have now organized a fund-raising event called 'ai Japan - Creating Footsteps of Hope' on May 29 in London where they expect to collect £ 10,000 which will be given to Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund. They will also try to set a world record for creating largest footprint painting during the event.
Bhojani works as a software developer in an IT company. While, Patel, a dyslexic works with a retail store-chain and uses his painting skills for awareness on social causes.
In 2003, Patel created a world record for creating a 5,100 sq ft finger painting in Vancouver. The painting was created to spread the peace message between the Indian and Pakistani communities in Canada. Patel was even awarded by a Pakistani association for working towards peace between the people of two countries.
Talking about the upcoming event, Patel said, "Things have already started rolling for the 'ai Japan' project. 'ai' means love in Japanese and that's the message we want to send across. Thousands of students and young professional in London have applauded the project on web. Also we have got support from local government officials."
The duo will place a 14,000 sq ft canvas at Ealing Common ground in west London and invite passersby to come and leave their footprint on the canvas.
"Japan has received support from the entire world but as we had seen during 2001 earthquake in Ahmedabad that once the news about calamity becomes old, the victims are left on their one. So we planned the event in May," said Bhojani, who is putting thing in shape for the event by arranging corporate sponsorship and getting permissions.