Continuing
Earthquake Relief Work
by BAPS
07.15.2001
The Chamber of Commerce, Kutch, organized
a meeting of over 2,000 businessmen and farmers to discuss
methods on how to revive business in Kutch following the
destruction and disruption caused by the earthquake.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister of Gujarat,
Shri Keshubhai Patel, Suresh Mehta, Minister of Industries,
and other dignitaries. On this occasion the Chief Minister
officially inaugurated 40 shops built for local businessmen
by the BAPS.
Addressing the assembly Arvind Thakkar, President of the
Chamber of Commerce, said, 'Pramukh Swami Maharaj and
BAPS have done very important work for rehabilitation here
in Kutch.'
Chief Minister Shri Keshubhai Patel said, 'Pramukh Swami
and BAPS were amongst the first to arrive in Kutch. They
have reached areas which others haven't been able to reach
and they have given to the people of Kutch whatever has
been asked of them. Not only Kutch, but Gujarat will never
be able to repay the debt it owes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj
and BAPS.'
The BAPS has helped hundreds of other businessmen - big
and small - to revive their destroyed businesses by providing
necessary equipments for them to continue their various
trades.
The occasion also marked the end of the official period
of mourning. To celebrate this occasion the BAPS fed 'meghladus'
- a traditional sweet to everyone.
Some statistics
about recent BAPS aid |
| No |
Description |
Quantity |
1 |
Handcart (haathlari) |
230 |
2 |
Goldsmith equipment |
90 |
3 |
Silversmith equipment |
160 |
4 |
Carpentry equipment |
70 |
5 |
Sewing equipment |
125 |
6 |
Bicycles |
50 |
7 |
Shoes |
7,000 persons |
8 |
Clothes and mattresses |
3,500 persons |
9 |
Houses in Khavda |
140 |
10 |
Muslim farmers were provided with grass,
clothes, tent, tarpaulin in Shoyla village |
130 persons |
11 |
Seeds for farmers |
2,000 kg |
12 |
Harijan families of Dinara village were
provided with tents, utensils, clothes and living accomodation
(bhunga) |
88 families |
|