Message from Dr. Madan Kataria/ If Laughter Connects, Tears Brings us more Closely

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Syzenith

Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:49 PM

Message from Dr Madan Kataria

If Laughter Connects, Tears Brings us more Closely

One of many universal laws which govern our life are – “The life is a blend of

laughter and tears”. The death toll from Sunday’s Tsunami has mounted to over

60,000 and it is expected to rise much more. Most of the victims are the

families of fishermen and poor people living on the coastal area of Indonesia,

Sri Lanka and South India.

The positive side of natural disaster like Tsunami is that it makes all the

human beings more humble and connected to each other. The way we are receiving

messages and help is pouring from all over the world, it leaves me with no

doubt that the world is coming closer to be like a family. If laughter

connects, sharing the sorrows brings us much more closely. I realized this in

my last teacher’s training programme held in Mumbai in the month of November

this year. We laughed our guts out for five days but when we shared our sadness

on the 6th day, we cried and felt much more connected as a group.

Dear friends in laughter it’s time to wipe tears. Now we need the true inner

spirit of laughter. Let us all unite and help our brothers and sisters who are

struggling for their survival. I am delighted to know that many laughter club

members have decided not to spend much on new year party celebrations; instead

they are contributing to Tsunami relief fund. Your small contribution can make

a big difference to the lives of many people.

I appeal to all the members of laughter community to send generous donations to

one of the most reliable foundations in India – the Times Foundation. You can

send checks in Indian Rupees / USD / Euros or in any currency in the name of :

Times FoundationTimes of IndiaDr. D.N. RoadMumbai- 400 001. INDIA

To help in Sri Lanka you can go to the website http://www.lankapage.com/ and pay

by credit card through PayPal.

There are international organizations in United States who are accepting

donations to help Tsunami victims in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. You can

send your contributions to:

American Jewish World Service45 West 36th StreetNew York, NY 10018-7904800-889-7146www.ajws.org

The First Church of Christ, ScientistTsunami Relief175 Huntington AvenueBoston,

MA 02115617-450-3205

American Red CrossInternational Response FundPO Box 37243Washington, DC

20013800-435-7669www.redcross.org

International Medical Corps11500 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 506Los Angeles, CA

90064800-481-4462www.imcworldwide.org

CARE USA151 Ellis Street NEAtlanta, GA 30303800-422-7385www.careusa.org

International Orthodox Christian CharitiesPO Box 630225Baltimore, MD

21263-0225877-803-4622www.iocc.org

Catholic Relief ServicesPO Box 17090Baltimore, MD 21203-7090800-736-3467www.catholicrelief.org

Mercy CorpsPO Box 2669Portland, OR 97208888-256-1900www.mercycorps.org

Direct Relief International27 South La Patera LaneSanta Barbara, CA

93117805-964-4767www.directrelief.org

Operation USA8320 Melrose Avenue, Ste. 200Los Angles, CA 90069800-678-7255www.opusa.org

Doctors Without BordersPO Box 2247New York, NY 10116-2247888-392-0392www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Oxfam America26 West StreetBoston, MA

02111-1206800-776-9326www.oxfamamerica.orgFor Ganesh

Bhaktas:/Do

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