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Dubai ruler donates 80 Arabian
horses for quake victims

Ashok Tuteja in Dubai

In a unique gesture to help victims of Gujarat's earthquake, Dubai's ruler has offered to donate 80 Arabian horses to the state government.

''The proposal envisages the sale of these horses, with financial proceeds being used by the government to help the victims,'' said Asoke Mukerji, Consul General of India in Dubai.

The high breed Arabian horses, whose price is very high in the international market, are at a farm in Pune in Maharashtra.

Taking stock of relief efforts jointly organised by the consulate general of India in Dubai and various affiliated Indian associations since the quake struck the state on January 26, he said, ''We have contributed Rs 49 million towards the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.''

This, he said, was the highest contribution received by an Indian mission in the Gulf. ''Perhaps this may be even higher than contributions received by all other missions in the Gulf put together.''

Mukerji said the consulate had co-ordinated with the associations in Dubai in the despatch of relief material like 1500 tonnes of blankets, foodstuffs, medicines, clothes and shoes.

There had been an overwhelming response from children, teachers and managements of various Indian schools. A total of Rs 12 million had been received from the schools.

Meanwhile, the associations in Dubai have chosen Gujarat as the theme for India Fair 2001, to be organised as part of the month-long Dubai shopping festival, which opens on March 1.

''The associations would like to dedicate activities at the fair to raise money to help in rebuilding villages and cities in the state,'' according to Sunil Bhatia, honorary adviser.

UNI

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