Steven Holt: “while thousands of individuals celebrated their domestic accomplishments and democratic government a week ago on…”

“while thousands of individuals celebrated their domestic accomplishments and democratic government a week ago on Republic Day, the earthquake shook the ground that they marched on and turned a festivity into a disaster for hundreds of thousands. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of traveling again in India, a country rich in heritage, beauty and traditions, a country quickly rising in economic power. Now, however, despite the dismal reports, small glimmers of hope are emerging from the darkness. Just yesterday, a 24-year-old computer student, Veeral Dalal, a resident of my State of New Jersey, was rescued in Bhuj after spending 4 days with only 8 inches of room between him and a collapsed ceiling. Americans are generous to those in need. We stand ready to offer assistance. Mr. Dalal is just one example of how grief can be mitigated with hope. But we must stand ready not only to offer help and rescue, recovery, and emergency shelter and care, but also in the longer-term efforts in community planning and reconstruction of a modern infrastructure in keeping with the great country of India and our growing closeness to democratic countries.”