Approximately 200 people gathered last Thursday for a candlelight vigil and moment of silence for thousands of Nepali people and victims from a massive earthquake that struck Nepal and the Himalyan region April 25.
The Nepali Student Association (NSA) at the University of New Mexico, with assistance from the Global Education Office, held the vigil outside of the UNM Student Union Building in a show of support for the Nepali people, and mourning for the enormous loss of life and destruction. The magnitude 7.8 quake struck April 25.
UNM Dean of Students Tomas Aguirre began the candlelight ceremony and vigil with opening remarks on behalf of President Bob Frank, Provost Chaouki Abdallah and the entire university community in support of the Nepalese people and Nepali students at UNM.
Alok Bohara, director of the Nepal Study Center and professor in the Department of Economics, then addressed attendees and asked them to create two conjoined triangles forming the shape of the Nepali flag as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Nepal.
Bohara and Dadhi Adhikari of the Nepali Student Association spoke of the resiliency of the Nepalese people, noting as examples children rescued from the rubble of toppled buildings several days after the quake.
The NSA, in cooperation with the Nepalese community in New Mexico, continues to collect funds to help earthquake victims in Nepal. All of the proceeds will be donated to America Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF).
Checks may be made out to the American Nepal Medical Foundation or on the web at America Nepal Medical Foundation.
For more information visit the Nepali Student Association or contact Linda Melville, associate director, Global Education Office, (505) 277-4032 or email, lmelvill@unm.edu.