Saluting courage in the face of calamity, President A P J Abdul Kalam on Saturday advised the victims of the October 8 quake to master their problems and not be cowed down.

"I laud the courage of the people in defeating their problems. I would suggest that you master the problem rather than the problems being your masters," Kalam told people of the quake-hit areas in Tangdhar.

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To the demand of the locals for construction of a tunnel across Sadana Pass for better connectivity, the President said, "When your intentions are good, nothing can stop you. When God is with you, nobody can be against you. Governor S K Sinha and Chief Minister Ghulam [Images] Nabi Azad are here with me and they will see what do you all require."     

Kafil-ur-Rehman, member of the legislative assembly from the area, presented a memorandum on behalf of the people of Tangdhar seeking schedule tribe status for the local populace and linking of the landlocked area via cellular phone service.

Kalam said he would take up the matter with the Centre.      

The President also addressed an army gathering at Tangdhar Brigade and lauded the jawans for guarding the borders of the nation and assisting the civilians in times of need.

Despite heavy damage to their own bunkers and buildings, army personnel went to the affected villages and helped the locals pull out the dead from under rubble and take the injured to hospitals.