While Missouri may be too far away from India to feel the aftershocks of the earthquake physically, emotional tremors have run through the campus of Saint Louis University in the weeks following the disaster.

An earthquake struck India on Jan. 26, its Republic Day. The earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, and left more than 3,000 orphans. An estimated 12,000 additional persons suffered injuries and damages are now estimated at $5 billion. The quake hit the state of Gujarat on the western coast, and at the quake’s epicenter, the city of Bhuj was completely leveled.

The extensive damage done by the earthquake has raised much concern throughout the world. Many SLU students have joined in the efforts to raise money and supplies to send to India.

Junior Raina Gupta, a second-generation Indian immigrant, was immediately moved to action when she heard the news.

“I heard about the terrible tragedy and really felt compelled to do something,” Gupta said. “We all feel like we are too far away to help, but we’re not.”

Gupta started fund-raising with some of her friends by going to classes and meetings and giving an update on the situation. They passed around a can and collected donations. So far they have raised $500, but hope to bring that total up to $1,000.

“I’m really happy that I could be a part of the India Earthquake Relief Fund. I’m glad that we’ve been able to do our part,” Gupta said. “After all, isn’t that one of everyone’s goals in life-to help others?”

Gupta and Amnesty International, who are now working side-by-side in their fund-raising efforts, are going to have a table in the BMC on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Amnesty International Group Coordinator Jeff Taylor said that Amnesty is glad to be helping with the efforts.

“Basically, they need a lot of money right now to cover destruction and infrastructure damage,” said Taylor.

Campus Ministry has also helped raise money by donating the collection funds from last week’s 10 p.m. Mass and Tuesday’s Interfaith Celebration to the cause.

“We’re going to try to combine all of our resources to make the biggest donation possible,” said Campus Minister Harry O’Rourke.

All of the money raised by this drive will be donated to Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe (CARE), an international relief organization. CARE’s web site, www.care.org, states that its primary interest in relief distribution will be to apportion emergency kits and food to the survivors. Its long-range goals, spanning the next 18-24 months, include repairing and rebuilding primary schools, health posts and community centers, as well as repairing water systems.

India Abroad’s web site, www.indiaabroad.com, said that right now Gujarat needs clothes, food, shelters, cutting equipment, construction equipment, medicine and doctors.

SLU students wanting to help can still contribute to the campus drive either in the BMC today or Friday, or make a donation at this Sunday’s 10 p.m. mass.