Japanese organisation donates Rs 55,000 for tsunami relief

Post March 11,when a massive earthquake shook North Japan,help has been pouring in for the island nation from all parts of the world. The founding members of the city-based Association of Friends of Japan (AFJ) — Sameer Khale,Amod Deo and Shrikant Atre — recently visited the Mumbai Consulate General of Japan and handed over Rs 55,051 to Consul General T Mochida.

Atre,who is also the founding director of JapanMitra Consulting Services,says,“We visited the Consul General on Thursday and informed him about our purpose. In a brief meeting that lasted only 20 minutes,we spoke to him about the money we had collected as a donation for the Japan Tsunami relief fund.” A total of 11 members of the AFJ had collected the amount. This is not the first time that they have sent money for the relief. In March they had,through the Okayama Friends of Pune,India Association,sent 50,000 yen to Japan.

AFJ president Sameer Khale,who is also an advocate,says,“Besides Consul General Mochida,we met deputy consul general M Shimizu and consuls S Lida and Tashiro. We spoke to them about the work that we were doing in Pune to promote stronger ties between Japan and the city.”

The consul general said,“The monetary help from the citizens of Pune is a touching gesture for us and we are grateful to all of you.”