RWWCO presents a cheque of Rs 25 lakh to Mamata Banerjee for Leh victims

NEW DELHI - The Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organization (RWWCO), a noted voluntary organization of the wives of Indian Railway officers, presented a cheque of Rs 25 lakh to Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday for extending help in the rehabilitation of the victims of the nature’s fury in Leh, which was hit by a cloudburst and flash floods on August 6.

While the primary concern of the RWWCO is the welfare of Railway employees and their families, it has also risen to the call of the society and the nation - be it environmental awareness, family welfare drives, disturbances on the borders or the natural calamities.

With a very modest start of about 48 years ago, RWWCO today has gained importance as one of the foremost voluntary organisations functioning in the country.

Broad activities of RWWCO are to run nursery schools, vocational training centres to contribute to national cause of education and literacy amongst women and children, to encourage children through competitions in sports, essay writing, drawing and painting etc. on All India Railway level, and to provide financial assistance to children of low-paid railway employees for studies in engineering, medical and other academic courses by way of giving scholarships and educational assistance.

The organization also runs craft centre for imparting training in tailoring and crafts to wives/daughters of railway staff and masala/craft centres to provide gainful employment to women.

Besides RWWCO also organizes awareness drives about environmental pollution, family welfare, AIDS etc. as well as also provides financial assistance to railway employees and their families in sickness and distress cases.

The August 6 flash floods triggered by a cloud burst devastated large parts of Leh. At least 183 people, including 35 army men, 18 Nepali and Tibetan workers, three French, one Spanish and one Italian tourist were killed.

Between 200 and 500 people are still missing.

Flash floods and mudslides have swept the road links and bridges in the area. The deluge has damaged hospitals, schools, government buildings, bus terminals, radio station transmitter, telephone exchange and mobile-phone towers.

Five villages Sabu, Phyang, Nimoo, Choglumsar and Shapoo were the worst hit by the flash floods. Old Leh city was also among the worst affected. (ANI)