Thank you for your urgency. Like most people, I would hope that humanitarian concerns trump considerations of realpolitik, especially since I’m a Kashmiri (Pandit). Happily, the two coincide in this case, though I agree with you that the General (to a greater extent than the GOI) does not see things quite so clearly.

It’s important, however, that one’s humanitarian concerns be channeled in a hard-headed manner. Far too much of the media coverage has struck me as lacking in this regard. Hence my suggestion about the importance of builiding large community halls given the lack of winterized tents. Btw, I have my doubts about the efficacy of those tents in the miserably cold winters of Srinagar, let alone those of the mountainous areas of PoK.

Do pass on this suggestion–it’s not mine, but that of Ghulam Nabi Azad and the GOI (& J&K state govt., of course). I would like to see more prefabricated modular housing sent over to PoK over the course of the relief effort.

Kumar

Your idea is excellent. However, somebody needs to communicate such ideas, and many others. That is why petition.

In last 10 days, I get a very distinct feeling that both India (to far less degree) and Pakistan (to much greater degree) are more concerned about image, posturing, “sensitivities”, plain mismanagement, and what not.

If 3 million freeze to death in next 3 months, the political fallout will be very nasty. Even if anyone/ you are hard-headed realpolitck rather than humantarian, you need to act fast, no matter.

I fear NATO does not have the spare capacity for the sort of light helicopters needed in the higher altitudes. Indeed, even the Indian govt. does not, I suspect, have that much light helicopter capacity to spare (even if the General were to change his mind).

I should think a more prudent course is to rapidly build community halls, as the Indian govt. plans to do in lowland areas of Uri and Tangdhar districts of J&K, to temporarily house people as their homes are being rebuilt. Of course, this plan has a better chance of saving lives in J&K, since the damage has been considerably less, at least when compared to PoK. Still, given the materiel constraints, I think this approach may help save more lives, in the end.

Kumar

It’s equivalent for Pakistanis to Pakistan Government.

And bloggers residing in Europe would be quite important to petition to NATO.

a) if you are a US citizen or a permanent resident, a petition addressed to the State Department

b) if an indian citizen, nri, pio, the same petition to Indian Governemt/ Indian Embassy.

c) if a UK citizen, the pettion to the Home Office of UK.

Lot of people will fall in more than one categories.

The petition requests drastic measures in stepping up fund-raising, aid, pleads India and Pakistan taking the cross-refief efforts beyond ceremonial drama immediately, and requests NATO to step in.

The petition originates in the blogosphere, every concerned blogger cross links it, the way ASPCA, PACs or the ones that brought Dan Rather down or moveon.org does. Somebody, please help us firm the idea. PS: I am up for “lunch dates for charity et al.” but much more is needed fast and that bothers me. It might be too little, too late (don’t get me wrong).

Might I suggest an auction as well? Lunch with the real SMers? (Not that I’m averse, but I doubt anyone here is willing to pay up for lunch with me. ) A t-shirt signed by the fab six? Some of Manish’s original photography, printed? A box of the famous Tripathi tofu-carrot samosas for someone who lives in DC? I’m totally extemporizing here, but you get the picture. SAJA auctioned off lunch with Hari Sreenivasan last year.

By all accounts, the charity I support, Edhi Foundation, is doing wonders. And my preference would be for a local charity like that [IndiaAid?].

In any case, please count me in and please help in whatever way any of you can.