President assures Leh cloudburst victims of all help in rehabilitation

President Pratibha Patil today assured the people of Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir, which was devastated by flash floods and mudslides following a massive cloudburst on August 6, that the Government would spare no effort in relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Ms Patil, who visited the affected areas, saw for herself the relief activities undertaken by various agencies.

A compassionate President Pratibha Patil reaching out to the cloudburst affected families and giving away woolen garments to them in Leh on September 01, 2010. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah are also seen.

As many as 192 people were killed and more than 400 injured in the floods which also caused widespread loss to public and private property.

The President was briefed by civil and military officials about the ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations. She distributed shawls and sweaters to the affected people in the relief camps.

Later, addressing defence personnel in Leh, Ms Patil said that, in this difficult hour, all Indians were with the people of Ladakh.

She recalled that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited the area last month and joined him in assuring that no effort would be spared in relief and rehabilitation work.

"Natural calamities and disasters are a reminder of the forces of nature. I am proud that during these difficult times the Armed Forces acquitted themselves commendably and gave an account of unprecedented courage, selfless devotion and unparalleled dedication involving themselves in relief, rescue and re-construction efforts," she said.

The President appreciated the efforts made by the doctors from the Army, who responded whole-heartedly and treated casualties much beyond the normal handling capacity in the Army Hospital.

She also commended the special efforts made to locate missing personnel and rescue those stranded, including foreign tourists.

"Your hard work and sustained efforts, undertaken in co-ordination with local authorities, have helped in the restoration of road and signal communications, electricity, water supply and other essential services. Every call for help by the locals was answered positively and admirably by our brave soldiers. You must continue with this work, as the damage has been widespread and, moreover before the onset of winter, much work needs to be done to help rebuild the homes and lives of the people of Ladakh," she said.

Ms Patil, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said it gave her great satisfaction to see the confidence exuding in the faces of the soldiers, despite braving the fury of nature.

"Seeing your spirit, I am impressed with your determination and courage. It is commendable that under such trying circumstances, you have been able to maintain a high degree of morale and unblemished professionalism. All of you braving the extreme odds of nature, facing the vagaries of hostile weather and terrain conditions, are the sentinels of our country. The climatic and topographic conditions in this region are the most demanding in the world. However, you all brave soldiers have never dithered. The lofty heights in some places of 21,000 feet may appear daunting to the most daring mountaineers, but you are deployed in these high altitudes for prolonged periods without any fear, braving the hypoxic conditions and bearing physical, mental and psychological hardships," she said.

The President said she was proud to say that the soldiers in that region had faced all wars in a commendable manner.

"Your acts of gallantry, courage and fortitude in Chushul, Rezangia, Siachen, Kargil and other areas are a testimony to the indomitable spirit of the brave Indian solider. I have no doubt that the security of the nation is safe in your capable hands, and you will guard the nation's frontiers under the most daunting conditions," she said.

Ms Patil said the Armed Forces had always assured the citizens of their safety and security against internal as well as external threats.

"I wish to compliment each one of you and all of you for your sincerity, dedication, selflessness and enthusiasm shown each time you are called upon to do so by the nation. I exhort each one of you to always remain ready to deal with any challenge. Your work, your discipline and your high level of commitment are admired by all citizens of this country," she added.

NNN