LOS ANGELES; One week after a 6.6 earthquake jolted the San Fernando Valley the aftershocks both physical and psychological are still being felt. According to preliminary reports there are over 50 dead 15000 injured 30000 homeless and cover $30 Billion in damages.

There is a large enclave of Indians who live in the San Fernando Valley which was the epicenter of the shaker. Most of them own convenience stores groceries gas stations restaurants and other small business. Almost all business in the area is damaged to some extent. Bottles and cans liter the floors where shelves collapsed glass shards create hazards where windows popped out and walls and chimneys teeter {rom cracks in the foundations. The now worthless goods are a total loss which may never be replaced as many had no insurance for such an event.

Several people reported losses in the 25.35 thousand range Homeowners were left to find other shelter with friends and families whose houses remained standing. Some hillside dwellers were left with nothing but a pile of rubbish It seemed that no house was spared as many families reported damages in the thousands. Life has become topsy-survey as parents and children struggle to adjust. Water electricity and gas for cooking are not available and tent cities and soup kitchens are dotting public parks and neighborhood yards. On a daily basis residents are reminded of their losses and the great effort that will be required to achieve some semblance of normalcy.

Lanker shim gurdwara in North Hollywood reports some minor dam- ages but the Management committee chairman Mr. Jasbir Singh Tung has advised WSN that Sikh traditions the Southlands sangat will be holding a special prayer service for the community on Sunday Jan. 30 from 11:30 to I pm at 7640 Lanker shim Blvd North Hollywood

The whole sangat is invited and encouraged to participate said Mr. Tung offering his own heartfelt condolences to those who have suffered the loss of home or business are who may have been injured during the tremor. He told WSN that a special booth has been setup al the gurdwara to collect charitable donations of food clothing blankets and money. For further information on how you can help call the gurdwara at:  18765-9399 Contributors: Sardar Pritam Singh Sardar Jasbir Singh Tung

Article extracted from this publication >> January 28, 1994