Puneites appeal help for tsunami affected Kingdom of Tonga
Pune, 21st January 2022: Kingdom of Tonga, a country in the South Pacific has been the centre of volcanic eruption followed by tsunami and ash which led to the destruction of many houses. The capital city, the airport on Tongatapu was heavily affected.
Pune-based educationist Professor Rakesh Mittal has appealed to help, support fundraising activity started by Pita Taufatofua (Olympian athlete of Tonga and a UNICEF ambassador), through a website gofund.me/c732d878.
After the volcano and tsunami, the undersea cable was damaged, which impacted the Internet and telephone connection throughout Tonga. Tonga is currently disconnected from the world due to this damage.
Australia and New Zealand have been prompt in providing assistance. The national flag bearer of Tonga at the Olympics Pita has started a fundraising activity. Also, UNICEF has come forward to provide relief and aid to Tonga.
Rakesh Mittal said,”I am pleased and proud to say that I have been to the Kingdom of Tonga seven times from 2014 till 2018. Being a founder member of Commonwealth Vocational University at Tongatapu, I got to stay in the kingdom of Tonga and interact with Tongans.”
The connection between India and the Kingdom of Tonga is quite old. King Topou IV had visited India in 1971 and 1976. King Topou and many from Royal families have been to India for military training. Also, there are Tongan students studying in India. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had visited the Kingdom of Tonga in 1981.
“The Tongans are very friendly and welcome with open hearts. Usually, there are cyclones in South Pacific, however this time it is a volcanic eruption followed by a tsunami which has brought a lot of destruction.
We as Commonwealth Vocational University shall be assisting the government with as much as possible from here in India. However, I request that those who are interested can contribute to the fundraising activity started by Pita Taufatofua”, Prof Mittal added.
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