Nepali students at DU pray for families caught in the epicentre

Rajdip finally received a message from his younger brother, informing him he and their mother were safe. However, there was no news of his father — a lieutenant in the army. “I’m sure he is safe. He has always known what to do. I just wish I could speak to him. He left for work in the morning and my family has not been able to contact him yet,” Rajdip said.

Rajdip, who came to Delhi three years ago, is one among the 500-odd Nepali nationals studying in DU. Seated in his hostel room at the International Students’ House, he points to the numerous posters which boasts of the cultural heritage of his country. “These are all tourist sites, all of which have been destroyed,” he said, while referring to the four posters of religious places — Bhaktapur Durbar square, Kathmandu Durbar square, Patan Durbar square and the Narayan Hiti palace.

Like him, Shraddha Gautam — a resident of Samakhushi in Kathmandu — is also a first year student of Economics (Honours) in Khalsa college. She said, “It took at least three hours before I could get in touch with my family. The wait seemed endless. I had sent a message to my mother on WhatsApp. I even tried contacting them via Twitter and Facebook. Finally, my mother sent a message saying everyone was safe… I just want to go back home and see them now.”

A few kilometres away in Shahdara is a food stall run by a Nepali, Puran Bahadur. A native of Kirtipur in Kathmandu, he came to the city 10 years ago with his wife and two children.

“I got a call from my friend who told me about the earthquake back home. I do not have access to TV or the internet and I have been trying to call my father and brother back home. I don’t know if they are safe,” he said.

However, despite their worries, the community is garnering support to contribute relief funds for those affected. Rajdip, who also heads the Nepali Students’ Association, is busy trying to collect donations for residents of Nepal.

“I have been in touch with my friends in Delhi. We are all trying to collect money to be sent home. Once their families’ safety is confirmed, we will contact Embassy officials and try and send the relief funds,” he said.