New Delhi: Indian lawmakers, artistes and
activists on Sunday joined Japanese officials in Delhi to offer
prayers for the victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami
in Japan which claimed more than 1000 lives and rendered over
2.15 lakh homeless.
The vigil saw MPs, journalists, noted activists and
artists express their condolences for the victims of the
calamity, one of the worst disasters in the recent times.
"In this hour of catastrophe, the only thing we can do
is express our condolences. We salute the spirit of Japan for
its effort to rebuild the country with a lot of grit even in
times of grief," said BJP MP Tarun Vijay.
Japan`s north-eastern coast was battered on Friday by
a 8.9 magnitude quake, the largest on record in Japan, and an
ensuing tsunami that washed over hundreds of kilometres of
coastline, causing widespread destruction.
"Japan is experiencing a most serious tragedy now.
Many towns and villages have been swept away, lives have been
lost, people are still missing. We have evacuated close to
400,000 people to date," Akitaka Saiki, Japanese envoy to
India, said.
He said the Japanese Government was trying its best to
cope with the natural calamity and rescue efforts were on to
save those still stranded.
Thanking the international community for joining his
country in the "time of grief," Saiki termed the response by
the international community as "phenomenal."
"We in Japan are deeply touched by the phenomenal
response. At this time of extreme difficulties we are
receiving condolences and assistance of all kind from other
countries. We are still receiving mails and are most
grateful," he said.
Among others present were BSP MP Vijay Bahadur Singh,
BJP MP Rama Jois, noted theatre artiste Amir Raza Hussain and
former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mukul Miti.
PTI
