As relief efforts continued on a war-footing, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday appealed to people to contribute generously to help in relief and rehabilitation work in earthquake-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.
"People across the Indian sub-continent have felt the pain and anguish of those who have lost their loved ones and their livelihoods in the earthquake that ravaged J&K, on both sides of the Line of Control, and parts of Pakistan," the prime minister said.
"Neither nature's fury nor human compassion recognise political boundaries. It is in our culture to help one's own and one's neighbours in an hour of need," Dr Singh said in his appeal.
"I am sure Indian civil society will step forward and contribute to the relief and rehabilitation effort. I appeal to every concerned citizen of our republic to donate generously to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to help us help those in need," Dr Singh said.
The prime minister said the Centre was extending all cooperation and assistance to the state government to provide relief and enable rehabilitation.
The government has also offered help and assistance to Pakistan. "A separate website is being opened to record all contribution made towards the J&K relief effort so that funds donated to this cause are earmarked for the purpose," the prime minister's Media Advisor Sanjay Barua said.