Leander Paes calls for support to Haiti victims

Indian tennis star Leander Paes came out in support of the Haiti earthquake victims, and asked the people of India to contribute and show generosity towards the millions who lost their lives and homes to the natural disaster.

Speaking at a fundraising event for the earthquake victims here, Paes said that this was the right time that Indians could give back to the world by donating for this noble cause.

"As a humble Indian, I sit here in front of you, asking all of you out there to do your bit.
To come together as a nation, as in India, and make a difference in the world where we have been on the receiving end of the world's grace, whether it has been our Tsunami or other such disasters, where the world has come together and supported India. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to reach out to the Haitians, geographically quite a way away from us but as people, not very different," Paes said.

Paul Folmsbee, United States Consulate General in Mumbai, Busi Kuzwayo, South African Consul General, and Gul Kriplani, Chairman of the Indian Merchants' Chamber, along with other dignitaries from India were also present at the occasion.

As a part of the fundraiser event, an art auction took place at the Indian Merchants' Chamber on Tuesday with proceeds going to the Haiti victims.

The January 12 earthquake, measuring 7.0 on Richter scale, wrecked large parts of heavily populated Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding towns.