The Indian Army has named the aid to Nepal ‘Operation Maitri’ or friendship, a day after it started extending help to the neighbouring country that was hit by a massive earthquake just before noon on Saturday, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

India is with the “sisters and brothers” of Nepal in its time of crisis following the terrible earthquake, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his radio address ‘Mann ki Baat’.

“We will wipe the tears of every Nepali, hold their hands and give every support,” Modi said.

Modi said the earthquake that hit Nepal and also affected many parts of India has “shaken the whole world”.

He said India is assisting with relief and rescue operations in every way it can.

 

In addition to the specialist teams of its National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), India has already moved large amounts of relief material to the Himalayan kingdom, besides its Air Force moving essential supplies to Nepal and flying back over 500 of its stranded citizens from its capital Kathmandu since late Saturday.

“India is moving in massive amount of rescue and relief material, equipment and specialists the second day (Sunday),” said Sitanshu Kar, the spokesperson for the defence ministry.

“Ten flights are planned for Kathmandu today (Sunday). These would be airlifting army’s forward hospitals, engineering task forces, water, food, National Disaster Response Force teams, medical personnel and equipment, blankets and tents.”