'It's Kind Of Horrific Over There Right Now'

Dikshant Uprety is playing his guitar in front of a large crowd gathered at Indiana University’s Showalter fountain. Those listening came to a forum earlier called IU-4-Nepal.

“I get a feeling that my family is trying to project that everything is alright," Uprety said. "But when I talk to my friends, I find it’s kind of horrific over there right now.”

Originally from Kathmandu, Uprety came to Bloomington to study ethnomusicology less than a year ago.

He spoke and sang at the forum called IU-4-Nepal, along with a geology professor and Nepali author. They each implored the audience that the best way they could help is to donate to foreign aid.

Uprety says being so far from home during this disaster left him feeling helpless.

“Just seeing the pictures, only the pictures and not being able to do anything and the helplessness…it made me go numb for two days,” Uprety said.

Despite those feelings, Uprety has felt support from his Bloomington community. He says they’ve raised over $2,000, so far, and knows this event will bring more money to the Nepalis who have been hit hardest by the earthquake.