Report2
Silver lining in dark clouds ……….
When the earthquake of 7.9 magnitude on Richter scale affected much of Gujarat and showed much of its ire in Kutch, little did people realize how they are going to rebuild all that they have built through hundreds of years. But they say there is a silver lining in every cloud. A small Gandhian Institute "Gram Swarajaya Seva Sangh" in Nilpar village showed the way for the dazed population of Rapar. Situated in Rapar Taluka of district Kutch, though itself reduced to a heap of rubble and stones the Institutes residents got together their spirit under the leadership of its Director Mr. Ramesh Bhai Sangvi. The institute putting aside its own rebuilding efforts purged itself into helping the adjoining areas severely affected by the quake. It started slowly and joined its efforts under coordination of Mr. Kapil Shah to form volunteers network of NGO’s to reach into almost all the villages in Rapar taluka. Against all odds of its position, lack of communication facility, its own destruction the Institute hosted teams of about 20 NGO’s to form a formidable distribution and relief network in whole of Kutch area.
In this whole process though the Institutes people energy was spent on acting as host at one time for about 200 people and coordinating the supplies and there distribution. The results are for all to see:
Within 5 days all the villages had been covered (97 villages in Rapar)
Preliminary data collection for damage assessment had been done for 47 villages
Primary medical provided to all the affected villages
Coordinated to establish an OT for operations in Rapar
Supply chain management system for effective distribution of relief material
Much more was done but probably for figures liking individuals the contributions as mentioned above would have more weightage to understand the magnitude of operation being carried out in place where even the mighty District administration have not been bale to put its acts together to actually make the supply reach the villages, which have not reached even after 8 days of quake. The efforts have been immense, the sacrifice is worshipable, the efforts have saved many.
The Institute now wants volunteers and funds to stand back to its feet. Having serviced the society at its worst time it is now the onus of the society a debt, which can never actually be returned. But then some contribution in terms of "Shram Dan" and funding support for rebuilding what once was temple of learning what we are almost on the verge of loosing compassion probably we can do a little to repay in a small way to this Institute. In the time of need the Institute have shown the path to people now is the time for people to get together and come to rebuild not in cement and concrete but in tradition and heritage which proved to be the silver lining to the quake affected people of Rapar.
Proposed Plan for Development of the Institute:
This plan seeks to rebuild the Institute. As the damage is almost total the best bet for the Institute and its residents who are also affected is to rebuild the Institute according to better plan (earthquake resistant). The Institute before the quake housed classrooms, administrative block, hostels, Staff quarters, Director residence, kitchen, water pump station besides other basic infrastructure.
The approximate land area to be rebuilt: 2400 Sq yards
No. of building existed: 10-12 excluding the staff residence
Structure, single storey, tiled roof
Hostels & Staff residence to be separately built
Total approximate expenditure required: Two Crore Rupees (Rs. 2,00,00,000.00)