Hi Dear All,
I have joy to announce – Danja Foundation with hold of its well-wisher was gifted to fetch smiles to + 400 faces of flood sufferers in remote villages of Khalste (Ladakh-India).
At outset of this project many ifs and buts were in place. As well travelling through unpredictable Srinagar city, selection of relief material was an issue and to buy and bring that all together and load into the 10 Ton truck, significantly making sure truck will head off on time so that we could tune up with truck on time in Khalste.
Our friend Rikkert Stuve teamed up with us at Jammu on morning 24 September. We 4, Virender, Rikkert, Abdul Razak Mir and Govinda Ram leaving behind all the uncertainties underway our journey on 26 September at 3 in the morning. Our car entered Srinagar city at day break. Even if Srinagar is promising and beautiful, city was under curfew as expected we had to use our communication skills at 4 or 5 police check posts to keep on our journey. After 19 hours driving over Zozilla pass we could get night rest in Kargil.
Next sunrise we drove to Khalste, off-course we were enthusiastically waiting for our loaded truck to arrive that we left behind about +150 kilometres.
Arrival of truck turned into a long wait of 27 hours apparently building up some edgy thoughts in restless human minds and giving rise to uneasiness though none of us admit that, despite it was visible in our behaviour. To our delight Govinda Ram spotted the truck driver trying to locate us in dingy Dark Street of Khalste. Our joy knew no bounds, now we were sure to achieve our goal not realising what next would be?
On 29 we started journey early morning accompanied by President and Vice president of (LBA) Ladakhi Buddhist Association of Shyam district, Mr. Rinchen Tondup & Stanzin Thangik. Both the young men proved key figures in latter part of the day and in our assignment. We drove towards first village (West of Khalste). An hour’s journey brought us to lower end of a beautiful lush green village “ARCHINA TANG” barely one could believe floods ever touched this place. Rikkert, Razak and I, we trek to other end of the village where make -shift tents were empty. Flood victims were away to work to pick up their lives back. A village elder came forward who pointed towards – now a deep canyon in which you could spot few torn out rugs or rusted kitchen utensils – This was the village Archina Tang. What villagers believe about 2000 years old? To distribute relief here was pretty well organized. After saying Julley and Dankewels, villagers making note of Danja and its supporters we proceeded to our next village which is identified as Hanu Yogma where sun was very strong sand and rocks all over dust everywhere and destruction beyond its bounds. Rocks and boulders had placed once a flourishing undeveloped village. Razak, Rikkert & I, tried to lean inside the destructed areas; scenes were horrifying, amazingly people we found full of faith and trust ready to fight back or fighting and rebuilding their houses and house hold. A cripple man (Iron smith by profession) who was hold up under a stair case during floods most of his house, roof and belongings were washed away thus proved the saying “who is protected by lord can be killed by none”. After distribution villagers showered much love and made few snaps with our Danja banner.
On our way back we send a 10 family relief to a village called Ledo, to save time for visiting another big village. Finally towards evening we reached a village Skurbuchan, just below the village we saw 2 houses completely damaged, families were watching with helpless eyes, we dropped enough relief to bring them a bit of relief. Finally we drove up the village. Scenes here were bizarre. We got a small place to park our huge truck, distribution started under almost in dark. Some villagers too helped beside our own volunteers who were in job like lions in dust and sand. After distribution we had a look at their make shift camp, it was less like a camp more a circus. All belongings and house hold was scattered. Village head invited us for a cup of tea, making note of Danja foundation. An old woman came out with her folded hands saying thanks. I told her this relief came from Netherlands, in her broken voice she said give my greetings to all those who supported us.
Now it was quite dark and volunteers were exhausted mainly because inhaling dust. Still our task wasn’t complete. Our Ladakhi volunteers undertook the responsibility to distribute remaining part of relief in Wannalha and Themisgam. Around 10 o’ clock we were back in Khalste.
To get an insight of nature’s wrath look at our very few images – men at work; trying to support a noble cause.
I have also uploaded some images on my face book account.
I am deeply thankful to all our well wishers to my team and LBA (Ladakh).

Love and Regards
Virender