Let us face the tragedy as one man: President, Vajpayee

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 26. The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, today appealed to the people, and voluntary organisations to render all help to the Government in rescue and relief operations in Gujarat and other quake-hit areas.

Condoling the loss of lives, Mr. Vajpayee said: ``I am deeply pained and distressed to know about the earthquake that rocked Gujarat this morning, causing loss of several hundred lives and extensive damage to private and public property. The earthquake has also caused destruction in some other States.''

Expressing solidarity with the affected people, he said: ``I join all my countrymen in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. As has been our proud tradition in all such times of natural calamity, it is the duty of one and all to come to the aid of our brethren in Gujarat and other quake-hit areas.''

The President, Mr.K.R. Narayanan, expressed the hope that the people, the Government and all those engaged in the relief operations would bring succour to the affected.

``Let us, the whole country, come together, in this moment of national grief and put our efforts together to address the situation,'' the President said.

The Vice-President, Mr. Krishan Kant, said he was sure the Government and the people would spare no efforts to provide relief to those affected. ``With our effort, patience and calm, we shall surely overcome the impact of this untimely disaster,'' he said.

The Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. G.M.C. Balayogi, urged the people to face the adversity with composure. The BJP President, Mr. Bangaru Laxman, urged the Centre to rush immediate relief.

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