Monday, August 15 2005 12:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Noting that Maharashtra had recently borne the brunt of nature's fury in the form of rains and floods, President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Aug 15, 2005) said the state needs help at this "critical juncture" and that all states should express their solidarity with its people.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 59th Independence Day, he said Mumbai needs "urgent reconstruction".

"While we are celebrating 59th anniversary of our hard earned political independence, we have to remember the sufferings of our people affected by the recent rains and floods in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa.

"The city of Mumbai and other areas in Maharashtra bore the brunt of nature's fury. The people of these areas are meeting the challenge with courage and fortitude," Kalam said.

He said Maharashtra needed help at this "critical juncture" to mitigate the sufferings arising out of loss of life and properties inflicted by the fury of the rains and floods.

All the states need to express their solidarity with the people of Maharashtra in their time of distress and suffering and collectively help in removing the pain of the people, Kalam said.

The President noted that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited some of the affected areas and he himself had spoken to Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to share concern.