Updates of Gujarat Earthquake Relief Efforts

Feb 4, 2001

Divya Atman and Blessed Children of the Divine,

Everybody is stunned by the devastation caused by the major earthquake calamities in Gujarat. People want to help in whatever way they can but some of them do not know how to proceed so that the maximum help can be rendered to the distraught population.

The damage and devastation is so horrendous that involvement at the individual level might not be sufficient. The relief work is expected to run its course for a long period of time. The most important rehabilitation work has yet to begin. We all will have to join to create resources by involving other groups and communities to meet this challenge.

Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh has already put in place a solid infrastructure to deliver assistance, including a center in Bhuj, which was the hardest hit amongst the affected regions. This will provide the proper channels for other community groups, religious groups, social groups and individuals to gather  resources and deliver help where it is immediately needed.

Because Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh has zero administrative costs, 100% of your contribution will go toward earthquake relief efforts. Teams of volunteers have been working around the clock under the direct guidance of H. H. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj so that the efforts can be delivered in the most efficient way possible.

Every devotee of the Lord is humbly requested to approach his or her groups, organizations and institutions to direct their well-meaning efforts through the Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh.

Please refer your friends to the Divya Jivan website so they can see the good work that is being done.

Air India is delivering shipments of various useful items to Ahmedabad free of charge. We will have more information about this in near future. The common items that people want to send are clothes, blankets, bed sheets, medical and surgical supplies, etc.

The Indian government has changed the policy in regards to the acceptance of foreign funds. We are in the process of setting up a new account through which we will be able to accept all major currencies  including dollars, pounds, francs, etc. directly to Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund, C/O Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh. This will enable us to accept any personal check from all over the world.  Information about this new account will soon be available on this website. In the meantime,  please continue to send funds by demand draft in rupees to Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh. In the United States, please continue to send your tax-exempt contribution through Spiritual Life Foundation.

Let us join our heads, hands and hearts together to respond to the need of the hour.

Feb 3, 2001

Helping Hands and Hearts

There is overwhelming outpour of kindness, concern and love from people all over the world in response to the devastating earthquake in Gujarat. Everyone wants to help in whatever way he or she can and share the grief. Intention is to inspire other devotees of the Lord and bring out the best in them and help in their spiritual growth.

Please talk to your friends, relatives, community organization about the relief work being carried out and seek their help.

Relief work has been going on all cylinders. More information will be provided soon.

Feb 1, 2001

Radiant Immortal Self

Hari Om!  Om Namo Narayanaya.

Loving Pranams.  Jai Sivananda!

Yesterday late night, the most worshipful and Revered Sri Gurudev Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj graced us by favoring Rs. 1.00 Lakh (Rs. 100,000) for Gujarat Earthquake Relief Efforts.

Tomorrow we are leaving to Morbi District with 1000 Plastic buckets, 2000 Kg. Rice, 3000 Kg. Mung Dal, 5000 Kg. Wheat floor, 1000 Kg. Salt, 250 Kg. Turmeric and 250Kg. Red Chile with 20000 water pouch of 200ml.

In the association of Gujarat Lokseva Samajik Utkarsh Trust, Divya Jivan Sanskrutik Sangh is Organizing Prarthana Sabha (Prayer Assembly) in different areas of Ahmedabad for departed souls and to comfort the grieving families.

With regards, Prem and Om,

In the Service of Sri Gurudev,

Sevak, Swami Adhyatmananda

Jan 31, 2001

OM

Blessed Atman,

Om Namo Narayanaya!

Loving Pranams. Jai Sivananda.

Following is the update information of the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Efforts.

i) Our volunteers are very enthusiastic and in the meeting it was decided that additional volunteer help from DLS Orissa may not be necessary.

ii) SEVA---

A) Relief?From Valsad D.L.S., Two Truckload of Grains- Grocery-Clothes, Utensils reached to the needy and earthquake affected NARAYANAS.

B) D. L.S Baroda is serving at SAYAJI Govt. Hospital?crowded with approximately 700 patients with food medicine and helping hand and assisting.

C) One team of DLS Surendra Nagar has started two camps in village near by. About 1800 persons are taking shelter and food with them.  Another team is looking after injured and shocked people in T.B. Hospital. (T.B. Hospital is Venue)

D) DLS. Bhuj Friends have survived. God is great. Glory to Gurudev!  They are serving local people with their available assistance with co-ordination of Sivananda mission, Virnagar hospital?s Ambulance and food supply.

E) Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad is kept open for all those who seek shelter, night-stay, food, etc., immediately after earthquake.  That is from 26th Jan. midday onwards. Overall, in the most humble way ashram is organizing the supply of water, lanterns, kerosene, tents, and grocery to affected but yet not approached the areas.  From Feb.1st onwards ashram is organizing prayers and condolence and consolation meetings in different areas of Ahmedabad city.

iii) Demand Draft should come on the name of ?GUJRAT DIVYA JIVAN SANGH?. Because our Bank A/C is in this name only. Please note.

iv) This A/C is in Bank of Baroda Branch- at long distance. By today mid-day this will be transfer to nearby area, and after that we will furnish you the name, address and A/C No etc. at our earliest possible please but in the meantime here is the present bank information:

BANK OF BARODA Sardar Patel colony Branch,

PO.  Navjivan, Ahmedabad 380014

S/B A/c. No. 12162

Tel: 6445040/6423133

Govt. of India has declared that donation given to Earthquake relief fund will be 100% exempted from Income tax act. After immediate need, hope our well wisher will not stop with their kind and generous assistance and make it possible to adopt a village for rehabilitation and permanent construction of the residence, school building, community hall etc.  Whatever humble service is done in Gujarat by DLS Gujarat is all with Sivananda Spirit.  It is He, the Sadgurudev, is the mastermind and leader of the relief work.

Om Shanti. Thanks, regards, love with prayers.

Servant of Holy Master

Swami Adhyatmananda

OM

Jan 30, 2001

The damages in terms of the loss of human lives and property damages are a lot more than what is being reported by the news media. Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad has initiated intensive efforts to provide immediate help to the people directly affected by this tragedy.

With the grace of God and Gurudev, Sivananda Ashram site, including Visvanath Temple, Sadhak Kutir, etc. are safe. All the resources of the Ashram will be utilized for the purpose of providing the services to the people affected by this catastrophe.

Initial Assessments:

A team of volunteers visited the heavily affected area near Bhuj. Losses  in terms of human lives are very heavy and property damages are incalculable. Immediate need is to find the dead bodies and cremate them before they start rotting and prevent possibilities of outbreak of communicable diseases. There is acute shortage of burning woods to cremate the dead bodies. There is also shortage of drinking water. There is good supply of food, clothing, medicine etc. available but there is much confusion in distribution process as expected in the massive catastrophe like this. There is also urgent need to provide roof to the people who either lost their homes or they are not usable because of damage.

What has been done by Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh?

A team of volunteers (from Divine Life Society, Orissa), who had actively participated in flood relief efforts in Orissa last year, are on the way to Gujarat. These are the people who had first hand experience to deal with devastation including disposing dead bodies. This was arranged after Sri Swami Shivchidanandaji Maharaj had extensive talk with Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj.

Sri Swami Ramaswarupanandaji had called and spoke to Swamiji and offered to shorten his foreign trip and come to Gujarat to help in the relief efforts.

The ashram has facilities to provide housing and food to hundreds of people. The ashram is being utilized for this purpose.

Immediate medical help is being rendered through the existing medical facilities at the ashram and satellite clinic facilities.

Distribute food in the affected area.

Ashram has procured nine tones of wood that is being sent to cremate the dead bodies. Pure drinking water has being provided from the ashram?s well.

Team of volunteers meet every morning and evening for planning and assigning duties.

The Ashram has direct contact with local government authorities in Rajkot, Morabi, Bhavanagar and other cities and towns in heavily affected areas. The plan is being coordinated with the local authorities and other organizations involved in relief work in the distraught regions.

Intermediate to Long-term Plan

To provide short, intermediate and long-term rehabilitation to the displaced families is expected to be very daunting job. The plan is being made, so that this will be available in due course of time.

Build low to mid cost housing for affected families. Each residence is estimated to cost around Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000.

Make people aware of the resources available in terms of government help, loans, international organization?s aids, etc.  Help people fill out applications for the various funds and aids which are expected to be made available.

Coordinate various programs with other charitable organizations and local governments as deemed necessary in the rehabilitation of displaced families.

We shall update you regularly with the ongoing efforts.

Please make generous charitable contribution to help the worthy relief efforts.

HOME...