Gurukul Steps: 2008

Earthquake Storms Gujrat

Ahemdabad January 27. One of the worst earthquakes in India's history has claimed the lives of thousands, with many more still to be discovered. Hospitals in the Gujarat area are being overwhelmed, but an international aid campaign has already begun.
On the morning of January 26, 2001 an earthquake which registered at 6.9 on the Richter scale forever changed the lives of the people in the Gujarat region of the country. The official preliminary report on the earthquake estimates that over 100,000 buildings have been completely destroyed, with power and water supplies have been disrupted across the Kutch region.
As for the death toll, Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes is reiterating his belief that it could be as high as 100,000 deaths. "My own assessment was that the toll could go as high as 100,000 if my worst fears come true," Fernandes said He continued, "there is no change in my view on this...I stand by my own assessment but I will be the happiest man if this does not come true ... but I am afraid the figure will come to that."
The American Red Cross is just one of many organizations rushing to organize aid efforts for victims of the earthquake who have lost families and homes. A seven member relief team from the organization has flown to India along with $185,000 in aid. Much needed "medical kits containing IV fluids, surgical instruments and other treatment aids" were also rushed to the region, amidst fears that an epidemic could be the next disaster to follow on from the earthquake due to the sheer number of decomposing bodies still trapped in the rubble of destroyed homes, businesses and other buildings.
Despite the World Health Organization playing down fears of an epidemic, the Home Minister of Gujurat, Haren Pandya, believes that there is a real problem; "In such situations, there is a threat of epidemic because lots of bodies are still lying under the debris" In addition to the despair, fresh tremors have sparked fears that another - potentially worse - earthquake may not be far away The citizens of Gujurat and those helping around the world pray that the worst is behind them, but with disasters of this scale there is no real warning before the event.
Bodies continue to be pulled from the mass wreck of stone and rubble. However, One couple miraculously managed to survive to be rescued five days after the earthquake initially occurred Villagers all across the region face grave difficulties returning to any sort of normal life. Those who are now homeless may not have the money needed to buy a new house; many survivors have found themselves the sole living member of their families. The turmoil of the earthquake may have already struck, but the personal turmoil and despair of the citizens involved threatens to be just as great Communities are pulling together in the face of adversity; to collect belongings from the debris, to help each other come to terms with what has happened and also to assist the task of digging out the many trapped bodies.
A determined aid effort is in place, although there are reports that the aid coming in may be failing to reach some people The many organizations involved in getting aid to the region in the form of blankets, food, and medicine include - but are not limited to - the Red Cross, Oxfam, Save The Children, UNICEF, Relief International and World Vision. Everyone is in need of aid - from rich to poor .Earthquakes do not discriminate and this particular disaster has devastated the lives of people of all backgrounds.
If there is any light of hope in the aftermath of the earthquake that has damaged so many buildings and wrecked so many lives, it may come in the form of diplomacy which has taken place between India and its neighboring nation Pakistan. The two countries have a history of bitter communication. Reports state that "The leaders of the two rival Asian nations spoke on Friday about last week's quake and agreed to stay in touch...it was the first time Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had conversed since Musharraf came to power in October 1999." If the two nations can continue steps towards diplomacy, then this may be just a small tribute to the thousands who have perished.
The deeply tragic fact is that it has taken a disaster of the magnitude seen in Gujurat for Pakistan and India to start talking to one another.

Maharashtra rain toll 40
1 lakh shifted to safer places

New Delhi/Mumbai, August 7
At least 40 persons have lost their lives in the past two days across Maharashtra following heavy rain, according to the state police control room here, while the death count rose to 94 in Andhra Pradesh where three lakh people were marooned in the Konaseema region and the Army has been called out in Gujarat’s Surat city to help in the flood rescue operation.
The victims were drowned in flood waters or were buried in landslides as rescue officials and para-military forces worked hard to evacuate people from the affected areas.
According to the Mumbai disaster management cell, more than one lakh people have been evacuated across the state.
Officials said 15 districts had been badly hit by the rain with Nanded, Yavatmal, Buldana, Jalgaon, Parbhani and Hingoli being the worst affected. More than 25,000 families have been evacuated from low-lying areas.
Army and naval forces were called out in different parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada with 170 villages in 16 tehsils of Yavatmal district being affected. In all 678 villages in 85 tehsils across Maharashtra have been affected by the rain. In Buldana district, 4,000 families in 80 villages were shifted to safer places.
As per information available here, the Penganga, the Wardha, the Godavari and the Ulhas rivers in the flood-hit areas were overflowing.
Briefing reporters, Chief Secretary D. K. Sankaran said eight Army companies and five helicopters were pressed into service for rescue and relief operations after the Godavari rose 16 ft above the danger mark.
Religious sites like Trimbakeshwar at Nashik where the Kumbh Mela is held saw several temples being submerged by the river.
According to the Met Department, more than 200 mm of rainfall was received in different parts of the state. In some areas like Nanded, nearly 300 mm of rainfall has been reported.

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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

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Saturday, May 24, 2008

RESULT 08

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