​Gujarati helping hand

AHMEDABAD: As the Mumbai-style terror attack in the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi continued for the third day, Gujaratis opened their the doors of the community centre and extended all help to the victims and their families.
“The Visha Oswal Community Center in Nairobi has become the hub of rescue and relief operations with over 300 volunteers offering their services to the scores of those injured in the terror attack,” said Vinod Jhakariya, who runs a transport business in Kenya.
Lalit Dhami, vice chancellor of Tapovan Sanskar Pith, said the Visha Oswal Community Center has six marriage halls which have been converted into make-shift emergency centre where the injured are being treated. A media centre has also been set up.
“Apart from Indians, a big number of Asians and Europeans have taken shelter in the centre. We are doing our best to make them feel safe and comfortable by offering meals and shelter”, said Jhakhariya.
Meanwhile, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging the government to take effective steps to ensure safety of Indians in Nairobi.
He said the state government was in touch with the Indian mission as well as prominent citizens of Kenya to inquire about the safety of the people of Indian origin.