Earthquake relief in Gujarat, 2001

After the killer quake of 26 January, the Breakthrough Science Societygave a call to its chapters for collecting monetary relief for the quake-affected people of Gujarat. In response to the appeal, the IIT Kharagpur Chapter, the Chennai Chapter and the Bangalore Chapter launched a fund collection drive.

A Forum of Concerned Citizens for Quake Affected People has been formed in Gujarat as a public forum to oversee the relief operation, and to launch movements for equitable compensation and rehabilitation of the affected people.

While the government and other agencies were mounting the relief operation, we found that the educational sector was being grossly ignored and the quake affected people, especially the students, were finding it difficult to continue their studies because most of the school buildings were destroyed.

As per the advice of our contacts in Gujarat, apart from the short-term relief work, we donated Rs. 30,000 for reconstructing the completely destroyed building of school number 4 in the worst affected town of Bhachau. The school building, constructed at a total cost of over 3 lakhs with contributions from many philanthropic individuals and organizations (including BSS), was dedicated to the people of Bhachau on 9 July, 2001. It will now accomodate 700 students in two shifts, thus partially ameliorating the educational crisis in this town.

To see photographs of the constructed school building and the inaugural programme, click here.