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Gujarat to invoke God for relief

Sheela Bhatt in Bhuj

The Gujarat government is worried that more than 70,000 survivors of Bhuj are showing signs of inertia and depression, little realising that putting up with cold weather and outdoor living conditions stoically is hardly the way to face the harsh realities of the quake aftermath.

"The unfortunate people are not looking into the future beyond camps, mass kitchens," an official lamented.

Some dwelling units have survived the quake, but civil engineers have to certify them first as fit for habitation. But certifications are not easy to come by because of the inadequate number of structural engineers on relief work. This is hampering the administration's efforts to restore normalcy.

Former health minister Ashok Bhatt, who is coordinating relief operations of the non-governmental organisations or NGOs, said unless the survivors overcome their depression, it is difficult to get on with life in Gujarat.

Bhatt said the administration has figured out the causes for depression: 1) Sudden loss of the loved ones and the survivors' helplessness, and their inability in ensuring at least conventional last rites for the departed; 2) sudden loss of property and belongings.

"We feel religion -- be it Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism or Buddhism -- is the only medium through which we can communicate our message for action. We have sought the help of leaders of various religious groups. They are being rushed to Kutch from all over India. Praveen Toghadia, secretary-general of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Sanjay Joshi of the Bharatiya Janata Party are coordinating this effort," Bhatt said.

On the anvil are plans to organise sanskar vidhi -- post-death ceremonies -- for the departed souls on a mass-scale. According to the Hindu tradition, rituals are held from the ninth day to the thirteenth day after a dear one's demise.

Likewise, relief workers are exploring ways of helping survivors who follow other religious faiths accordingly.

"We hope people will find solace, warmth and emotional comfort when they come together for these mass ceremonies, when they interact with their brethren undergoing similar traumatic experiences," Bhatt said.

The Complete Coverage | List of earthquake sites

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