REHABILITATION WORK NEAR COMPLETION

                                    -A Visit Report by Rajesh Sinha

                                                                        September 10, 2002

Though no amount of financial and material support to the victims of the monstrous earthquake of Gujarat can make their life same again, an honest and empathetic rehabilitation work undertaken by Sewa Bharati Gujarat has been able to leave it’s mark on hearts of these victims. The rehabilitation work, which started immediately after the rescue and relief work was over, is near completion. Till the second week of August when I visited earthquake-affected areas of Gujarat, 6 out of 14 adopted villages were already handed over to the community. Residents have happily moved into their houses and now leading a normal life. Reconstruction work in rest of 8 villages was near completion and they would be handed over in coming 2-3 months.

To give you a bird’s eye-view of the rehabilitation work undertaken by Sewa Bharati, Gujarat with the financial support of Govt. of Gujarat, Govt. of Goa, Govt. of Jharkhand, Sewa International, India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF), Volunteers for India Development and Empowerment (VIDE), Jan Kalyan Samiti Maharastra and Deendayal Sewa Kendra, 14 out of earlier intended 25 villages were actually adopted. Sewa Bharati built houses on its own, Government of Gujarat provided a matching grant for other infrastructure such as roads, water supply system etc.  Approximately 2000 houses in these 14 villages have been constructed with an approximate average cost of Rs.2, 00,000 per house. In 68 villages approximately 272 rooms for village schools have been constructed in the districts of Kutchch, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Patan and Banaskantha. 119 Bhungas (traditional round shaped houses found in border areas of Khavda in Bhuj district) have been constructed in 10 Indo-Pak border villages. Approximately 117 villages will have Samaj Mandir (community centre). A mobile dispensary and a mobile school are being run by Sewa Bharati for the benefit of earthquake affected people.

Following table summarizes village reconstruction:

Of these 14 villages Mithpasavaria, Hamiramora, Devgadh, Jivapar, Mayapur, Vachharajpura and have already been completed and handed over to the community.

Accompanied by Sewa Bharati Gujarat’s activists I had an opportunity to visit few of these villages and gather first hand information and observe the rehabilitation work myself. I would like to share my experience of this visit with all.

In Jivapar village of Morvi taluka in Rajkot district Sewa Bharati constructed 188 houses at a cost of Rs.372,10,000. Renamed as Keshav Nagar newly constructed village was handed over to the community on May 15^th 2002. Reconstruction of this village was funded by India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF). Villagers had harrowing tales to tell about earthquake. Shivabhai  had a providential escape. The moment he came out of his home the entire building collapsed. All the villagers spent the whole night near village pond. They were all praise for Sewa Bharati Gujarat who provided them relief and also rehabilitated them.

Mithapasvaria village of Anjar taluk was adopted by Sewa International UK. Sewa Bharati constructed 154 houses with total cost of Rs.2,83,10,000. Renamed as Ramnagar this village was handed over to the community on June 8^th 2002. Inhabited mainly by Ahirs, women of this village produce excellent quality handicraft items. I spoke to Devajibhai, the village Sarpanch and found him grateful to Sewa Bharati, Gujarat for the rehabilitation work.

In Vachharajpura village of Patdi taluka 49 houses were constructed at approximate total cost of Rs.2,83,10,000. Funded by Volunteers for India Development and Empowerment (VIDE) reconstruction of the village was successfully completed by Sewa Bharati and handed over to the village community. I was shocked to know that even after 53 years from Independence and 10 five-year plans this village was not connected by a road. With the help of Government Sewa Bharati Gujarat built road and brought electricity. Most of the residents are landless labour and work in nearby salt production units. Among beneficiaries there are four Muslim families too. Rest others are from backward caste of Koli Thakur.

In Jakhotra village of Shantalpur taluka in Patan district, 287 houses are being constructed with the financial support of Government of Gujarat and Jankalyan Samiti, Maharastra. This village is situated near Indo-Pak border and is a part of Desert called Runn of Kutchh. Villagers grow a spice “Jeera”(Cumin Seed) if the area gets rain during monsoon. Their poor socio-economic condition was apparent to me.

Mayapur of Halvad taluka in Surendranagar district was badly hit by earthquake causing severe damages to lives and properties. I could still see the rubbles of destroyed houses. This village was reconstructed by Rashra Sevika Samiti with the technical help of Sewa Bharati. 81 houses were constructed with a total cost of Rs.2,37,50,000 and handed over to the villagers on May 3^rd 2002. Socio-economic condition of villagers is poor. They grow cotton and some of them are engaged in petty business. I spoke to two villagers, Pravinbhai and Chandubhai and found them satisfied with the quality of the house they got.

All the 14 reconstructed villages have common infrastructure apart from houses. These are School Building, Community Centre, Health Center, Doctor’s House, Temple, Water Supply System, Water Tank, Village Gate, Chabutaro (a common platform to sit and chat), Chotaro (for feeding birds), Crematorium, Rain and Waste Water Disposal System, Village Road, Street Road, Electric Supply and Compound Walls.

Following table describes types of houses and category of people entitled for that:

Houses have been designed to be earthquake resistant. Sewa Bharati itself provided building materials to contractors. Solid concrete blocks were used for foundation to make it strong enough to bear shock. Hollow blocks were used in walls to make it thermo-neutral. These houses are well ventilated and sunlight reaches well in all rooms. Soak pit and underground S.W. pipeline for drainage brought updated sanitation system, which was out of question in old villages. Houses were reconstructed in cluster manner, which would enhance cohesiveness and harmony among villagers.

To sum up, Sewa Bharati Gujarat has nearly completed its rehabilitation work for earthquake affected people in an honest and professional manner. Engaging qualified professionals such as architects, engineers, accountants has facilitated timely completion of rehabilitation work. Sewa Bharati, Gujrat has future plans too. Orphaned children will be adopted and their education will be taken care of. Vocational training centres will be set up for employment generation specially for those rendered handicapped due to earthquake. Old age homes & widow homes will be started. A disaster management center is also proposed which will prepare public how to respond when a natural disaster strikes.