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Clinton came, he saw and conquered the hearts of people in Gujarat Saturday, April 7, 2001

Ahmedabad: Former US president Bill Clinton came, he saw and conquered the hearts of people in Gujarat's quake-ravaged Kutch district with his inimitable charm, raising expectations that his visit would give a much-needed impetus to rehabilitation efforts for victims of the January 26 temblor.

Clinton, however, insisted that he had merely come to "look, listen and learn," so that the American India Foundation (AIF), which had raised "several million dollars," could decide how best it could help the victims of the quake, described as the greatest natural disaster in India's history.

Even that was enough for some of the thousands who have been rendered homeless by the quake and have been waiting for months for the government to start relief and rehabilitation programs in their villages.

Solanki Murje, a law student who traveled 200 km to get a glimpse of Clinton at Anjar, said his visit would galvanize relief operations. "The government has failed miserably in helping the people. I'm sure Clinton will be able to do something for us," he told IANS.

At several places in Bhuj, Anjar and Ratnal where Clinton interacted with the people, quake victims insisted that any relief material or funds collected by the AIF or other foreign groups should be given to local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the arid Kutch region and not to the government.

"I have no faith in the government. All that it has given to the quake victims is Rs.600 and some metal sheets for reconstructing their houses. Clinton should make sure that funds are given directly to quake victims or to NGOs," said Jitendra Bhatt, 34, an Anjar resident who lost his home in the quake.

Prominent NGOs involved with the rehabilitation of the quake victims, too, were enthusiastic in endorsing Clinton's visit as a move that could give a fillip to the programs. Bhaskar Niranjani, the coordinator of Kutch Navnirman Abhiyan (Kutch Reconstruction Initiative), said Clinton's visit would benefit Gujarat, as it would create a greater awareness about the problems till being faced by the quake victims in India and abroad. "When Clinton returns to the US, I'm sure he will take concrete steps for providing relief to the quake victims," Niranjani told IANS.

Binoy Acharya, the coordinator of Unnati, another NGO working with the people of Bhachau, a village that was devastated by the quake, said: "Clinton met the people of Kutch and got a first-hand picture of their problems during his short visit. This was not a trip organized by the government of either India or the US; it was facilitated by Americans of Indian origin, who have been doing a lot for the quake victims," he said. "Clinton came because he wanted to sympathize with the people of Kutch and that alone makes the visit significant," he added.

Clinton's whistle stop tour of quake-ravaged Ratnal, Anjar and Bhuj evoked many memories of his colorful romp through rural Rajasthan during his official visit a little over a year ago, as he broke through security cordons to shake hands and share a few words with people who had gathered hours before his arrival at several venues.

The trip to Gujarat, however, was not an entirely happy experience. Clinton looked visibly moved by his interaction with survivors of the quake, even refusing to eat during his stopover at a Red Cross-run hospital at Bhuj.

"I am shaken up. I can't find the right words. It's so depressing," AIF officials quoted Clinton as saying.

News Source-India Abroad News Service

 

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