Detailed Report on activities related to Nepal Earthquake relief in IISc

In the initial plan, it was discussed to collect funds in front of all the messes from

students, buy relief materials and send them to Nepal along with few volunteers. The

distribution activity would also involve their friends, relatives and IISc alumni.

We proceeded with the plan and started collection in front of messes from 26th April

2015. The collection was carried out from 26th – 29th April. The relief materials were bought,

every 2nd day of collection after discussing with the volunteer team based on requirements

sent by hospitals in Kathmandu and friends. A total collection of about 1.74 lakhs were made

which were used to buy relief material like water bottles, food items, medicines, tents, ropes

and blankets. These were packed and kept ready for dispatch on 30 th April 2015. Collection

sheet, list of materials and purchase bills are already shared in the dropbox.

The volunteers named Narayan and Balendra were supposed to go with the relief

material to Nepal and hence, they had taken the responsibility of finding out, how 3.5 MT of

relief materials could be sent to Kathmandu along with them. They visited the airport and

Air India office on 27th and 28th April. With all their queries, they reached the conclusion that

only 50 – 80 kg of goods could be sent on a passenger plane. They were also informed that it

would be very difficult for them to go along with the cargo. It was also conveyed to them

that for coming 10 days, there were least possibility for them to go Nepal as no passenger

flights were taking off.

The above information had left us clueless about sending the materials to Nepal.

Hence, we thought of giving another try for detailed information and look for other possible

ways. Then on 29th April, Avanish Tripathi, Bejoy Adhikari and Brij Kishore went to airport.

We first met Air India airport manager, Mr. Anil V. Mathen, and he was very helpful and

assured us the whole process goes smoothly from the alliance side. He directed us to Mrs.

Nagaratnum in cargo section for further queries about sending relief materials. We were

handed a circular of Air India which said that relief materials would be sent free of cost. It

also said that goods could only be sent to an NGO or against the authorization from govt. It

was also mentioned clearly that it cannot be sent to Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

We also enquired about the various customs department clearance that we would be

required prior to sending the material. We were informed in the customs department at

Bengaluru airport that 3.5 MT of materials cannot be sent to an individual without an online

export order and proper bills. We would be required to pay extra amount at Air India Stat

Terminal as well. We met assistant commissioners Mr. Jagadish and Mr. Harish of customs

department, who agreed to provide a manual export order number. They also said that we

would be required to send it in Dummy IEC name and would be billed as NIL.

With detailed information, a meeting was convened on 29th April 2015, after dinner

at 9:30 pm. Constrain of sending the relief material to an NGO was put forward. There were

few NGOs in our mind but we were looking for an NGO which would involve our

friends/relatives/IISc alumni in receiving and distribution of relief materials and allow the

name of IISc to be retained. It was proposed that Art of Living (AOL) Nepal is one

organization which would receive the materials, take care of paper work regarding customs

and hand over the material to our friends and help in distribution as well along with their

volunteers. The suggestion was agreed by all of us considering the point that sending the

relief material at the earliest was our motto. Moreover in initial talks, AOL Nepal had agreed

to help was with paper work related to receiving the materials at customs. Distribution of

material would be carried out by our friends/relatives/alumni with assistance from AOL

Nepal volunteers as well. Hence, it was decided to send the relief materials to our

friends/relatives/alumni routed through AOL Nepal.

The materials were packed on 28th April, loaded early morning of 29th April 2015. On

reaching airport, various permissions were taken on the letter that we had received from

Registrar office. These permissions were obtained from additional commissioners,

superintendents of custom. Medical clearance could not be obtained, from Mrs. Anju (Asst.

Drugs Controller), on the same day due to transport strike. Hence, some of the students

went on 30th April as well to get medical clearance as medicines were included in relief

material. Let Export Order from customs department and permission for screening the

materials were obtained. We made sure that cargo was loaded and dispatched to New Delhi

on the same day.

We had put in a lot of effort for whole week; spent a lot of time for buying and

packing of materials. Loading early morning and then unloading them at airport. We are

also thankful to IISc community for donating generously, to all those on spot volunteers who

appeared in the hour of need while collection and packing.

While the whole process was going on, we did not receive any help from Student’s

Council members. Though they were standing near the messes, they did not extend any

help. When the collection was going on, we were also visited by security personals inquiring

about the collection. After we had sent the relief materials, we were asked by general

secretary of SC to submit them all the collection sheets, bills, etc. in security office.

We were committed to the cause; hence, we broadcast everything related to the

relief operation. A broadcast mail, with all the links were sent on 5 th May 2015, Tuesday.

Then there was a whole thread which questioned the decision of sending the material

through AOL and hence we have written a detailed report regarding the same.