Haridwar, Aug. 31 -- Religious leaders, spiritual organisations and social groups in Haridwar have stepped up relief efforts for people affected by the devastating flash floods in neighbouring Nepal, sending essential supplies and volunteers towards the border while holding prayer meetings to mourn the loss of lives. The relief mobilisation has brought together different sections of the saint community as well as Nepal-origin residents living in Uttarakhand, who have appealed to people to contribute whatever they can towards relief and rehabilitation efforts in the flood-hit areas. Gayatri Teerth Shantikunj has dispatched three trucks carrying relief material towards the Nepal border, including foodgrains, tarpaulins, raincoats, blankets, medicines and other essential household items. The organisation has also sent a team of around 50 volunteers of Nepalese origin who are associated with its Shantikunj unit and currently reside in Haridwar. The volunteers will assist with relief efforts and help coordinate the distribution of essential supplies among affected people. "Food ration, tarpaulins, general medicines and daily-use household items have been sent to the neighbouring country. We stand with the people of Nepal during this difficult time, with whom India shares a unique cultural bond," said vice-president of Gayatri Teerth Shantikunj, Dr Chinmay Pandya. The relief effort comes as people in Haridwar and other parts of Uttarakhand with family and social ties to Nepal remain concerned about the situation in the flood-affected areas. At Garibdasiya Dharamshala, the Yuva Bharat Sadhu Samaj organised a prayer meeting under which saints and others paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the flash floods. They also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the disaster. Yuva Bharat Sadhu Samaj president Shivam Bharati and general secretary Swami Ravi Dev Shastri said the organisation had begun collecting relief material for disaster-affected people in Nepal and was seeking voluntary contributions from members of the saint community. "We are appealing to saints and members of the public to contribute relief material and other assistance according to their capacity. The people of Nepal are facing a difficult situation and need support from all sections of society," they said. Meanwhile, Nepal-origin residents living in Uttarakhand organised a separate prayer meeting under the aegis of the Gorkhali Kalyan Mahila Samiti, Girvar Nath Jan Kalyan Dharmarth Trust and Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha. They also appealed to the community and other residents of Uttarakhand to contribute towards relief operations according to their means. Girvar Nath Jan Kalyan Dharmarth Trust president Kamal Khadka said: "Large numbers of people of Nepalese origin live in Uttarakhand. We are praying for the safety and well-being of our relatives and acquaintances living in the affected areas"....