The South Asian Student Association (SASA) has scheduled a candlelight vigil for next Tuesday evening in response to the earthquakes that occurred last week on the Indian-Pakistani border, resulting in over 40,000 deaths.In lower Usdan this coming week, the group will be selling candles for $2 each for the vigil, which will be held at the Peace Circle, the small benched area outside upper Usdan. All donations will go toward relief efforts for the affected region.

"We're not actually selling you a candle,"said SASA president Prerna Bhargava '07. "We're asking for donations from the Brandeis community and for each $2 we receive, a candle will be lit at the vigil."

SASA has coordinated the event to coincide with other vigils scheduled to be held at several Boston area colleges at 7:30 p.m, according to Bhargava.

The group may also sell raffle tickets, possibly in coordination with other Boston schools, depending on how many candles for the vigil are sold.

Bhargava said while there is a general awareness around campus regarding the earthquake's occurrence, few understand the traumatic impact it has had on the region. India and Pakistan have been warring over land in the Kashmir region for decades. As a result, much of the area is poor and inaccessible by many non-profit relief organizations that are trying to provide aid to those affected by the disaster.

Although no one from Brandeis was directly affected, "It's a big issue; people need to realize what is actually going on there," Bhargava said.