When West Virginia University professor Rashpal Ahluwalia began collecting money for the United Ways September 11th Fund, he was met with an outpouring of generosity from the Indian community in the Morgantown and Fairmont vicinity. He wasnt surprised, however, when donations topped $10,000.

“They were all wanting to do something and they didnt know what. When we provided this opportunity they all came forward,”said Ahluwalia, professor of industrial and management information systems engineering.

“We had fantastic support from the families in town and from some Indian-owned businesses that were very generous. Many are also contributing to other agencies in addition to this, such as the Red Cross and the fire fighters, but they wanted to be associated also as a community who is fully supporting the U.S. action,”he added.

A 15 -year WVU professor, Ahluwalia also serves as advisor for the Universitys India Student Association. He described the days and weeks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as especially tense for Indian students on campus.

“Lots of the students were edgy because they felt people didnt really understand that they are not from that part of the world. In fact, many students are from areas that have been fighting these groups for some time,”he said.

By contributing more than $10,000 to the”The September 11th Fund,”Ahluwalia says the local Indian community hopes not only to aid victims, families and communities effected by the attacks, but they also want to educate the general public that the Indian community is supportive.

He also noted that on Sept. 11 people from more than 60 countries lost their lives, including more than 250 Indian Americans.