May 2015 \ World News \ Relief Efforts By Diaspora
NRIs help Nepal

By Anil Giri

Two billionaire NRIs have offered to build 1,200 earthquake-resistant houses in quake-affected villages of Nepal immediately, said Nepal’s embassy in London. Mr Mukesh Kumar Sehgal, Managing Director of Britain-based SISMO Company that is well known for its building technology, met Nepal’s Acting Ambassador to Britain, Mr Tej Bahadur Chettri and offered to build 1,000 quake-resistant houses in Nepal, according to the embassy.

Mr Sehgal told Mr Chettri that his company is experienced in building houses with new technology and if the Nepal Government accepted the offer, he would start construction of houses in remote areas of Nepal that have been severely hit by the April 25 earthquake in the Himalayan nation. He told Mr Chettri, “Initially we will construct temporary houses so that affected people can be relocated. Later once debris is cleared, we will build the new settlement.” Sehgal mentioned that his company was not promoting itself but is just willing to help Nepal in this moment of crisis.

Similarly, another billionaire NRI, Mr Sri Prakash Lohia has also offered to build 200 houses in quake-ravaged villages of Nepal through his Lohia Foundation. He also met Mr Chettri in London and made the offer, said the embassy. Experts in building quake-resistant buildings would construct the houses in 90 days, he told Mr Chettri, adding that if Nepal gave the green signal his foundation would start working from May 30. Mr Chettri has told Lohia that he would consult the authorities in Nepal and revert back to him, said the statement.

Before migrating from India to Britain, Lohia’s father ran Ashok Textile in Biratnagar in Nepal. Mr Lohia, 62, now has businesses in 24 nations. With a personal worth of USD 4.4 billion, Mr Lohia is Founder and Chairman of Indorama Corporation, a diversified petrochemical and textile company.




Tags: Diaspora, UK

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