Canadian High Commission staff reaches out to Uttarakhand

The staff at the Canadian high commission here and the country's consulate generals in Chandigarh and Mumbai have raised Rs.1.65 lakh for the relief and rehabilitation of those affected by last month's deluge in Uttarakhand.

"On behalf of all our staff, I offer my sincerest condolences and sympathies to those affected by heavy rains and flash floods in India's northern states," Canadian high commissioner Stewart Beck said in a statement Thursday.

"I hope our contribution will help with the efforts of the local authorities and civil society organisations in rebuilding the lives of the affected people," Beck added.

The contributions were made both by the locally-engaged and Canada-based staff. The amount was given to Caritas India, a voluntary organisation working for the rehabilitation of Uttarakhand flood victims.

Hundreds of people lost their life and thousands went missing after torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand last month.