In the chaos, destitution, pain, sorrow and a plethora of challenges after the devastating Kutch earthquake on 26 January 2001, there was indecisiveness attached to life. People were feeling lost and standing in the midst of them, I was wondering where to begin.
People of all religious backgrounds and from different parts of the world were giving consolation to the victims. Amongst them my Sadhvijis, with the message of Tirthankar Mahavir, were present in the rubbles extending the hand of compassion to all who were suffering.
Thousands of children became orphans in a split moment. They needed tender loving care and were desperate for their mother’s love. There was one girl who was crying and did not want to eat the food which was served to her. On further questioning, it became apparent that the child’s mother would lovingly feed her but now her mother was no more. I held the child in my arms, gave her a hug and fed the child. There were so many stories of children and adults requiring such support and a helping hand but at the same of time I felt the incredible generous hearts of these very people whose lives had been shattered.
Relief work was in progress on a large scale. Victims were provided with food, clothes, medical aid, shelter etc. but what about the children? All the schools were closed because of damage due to the earthquake.
To support children, Veerayatan immediately started stop-gap schools to educate children and within a couple of days about 9,000 children enrolled in these schools. Since children were in various relief camps, it was difficult for them to come to the Veerayatan centre. At that crucial time, Shri Ashok Suranaji from Agra generously donated 12 buses for children to commute. Teachers for these schools were recruited from the relief camps – and this is how thousands of children received quality education in that difficult time!
We also started visiting damaged villages to console and support people. And in the process we realised that people had lost their livelihoods and they were really tired of living in the relief camps. Hence it was extremely important to support them and give them training and skills for a fresh start. Consequently, 35 vocational training centres were set up by Veerayatan throughout Kutch.
This is how the extraordinary transformation occurred in this land of Kutch as Veerayatan has progressed to create a revolution transforming lives!
