Clinton to meet parents of children killed in quake Monday, April 2, 2001
Ahmedabad: FORMER US president Bill Clinton is reported to be keen on meeting the parents of some of the 100 schoolchildren who died in Anjar town of Gujarat in the January 26 earthquake.
The schoolchildren were marching on a narrow lane in a parade to mark India's Republic Day when buildings on either side collapsed on them. Anjar in the Kutch district is about 50 km from Bhuj, the main town of Kutch district that was the epicenter of the devastating quake.
Clinton is visiting Gujarat for two days at the head of a delegation of the American India Foundation (AIF). He is likely to announce the names of some of the 100 villages that the AIF is planning to adopt for reconstruction.
In a statement released by the AIF, Clinton said: "Over the past two months the tireless work of all those involved in the relief effort have proven that the worst natural disaster in India's history has brought out the best in its people. I am returning to India to tour the affected areas to meet with families and relief agencies and to bring new attention to the work that remains. The AIF and I will be working with non-governmental organizations, government agencies and concerned Indians to not just rebuild Gujarat but to rebuild it better."
According to Anil Bhandari, AIF treasurer and executive committee member, "The AIF delegation visiting India plans to get a first hand view of the devastation in Gujarat and provide sustainable support for future while continuing to address immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts."
"We hope that the AIF will bring together the various relief organizations under a single umbrella for harvesting resources for the benefit of the Indian community on a long term basis," he added.
The AIF goal is to utilize private, corporate and academic resources in the US for the rehabilitation of 100 afflicted villages. In the first phase, the foundation will focus on 40 villages.
While providing relief is an immediate priority, the AIF will also seek an exchange of ideas, provide intellectual capital and financial resources for the Indian community's benefit, Bhandari said.
Though his itinerary is being kept a closely guarded secret, according to information available, Clinton is likely to fly to Kutch from New Delhi Wednesday morning. After visiting some of the earthquake-affected areas, he is scheduled to come to Ahmedabad to spend the night. On Thursday, he will meet representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs) before flying to Mumbai to meet captains of Indian industry.
The AIF team will visit New Delhi, Gujarat, Mumbai and Kolkata. Clinton will also travel to the village of Rampur Manhyran in Uttar Pradesh to greet the people there. The delegation will leave for New York on April 10 after hosting a dinner in New Delhi.
News Source-India Abroad News Service
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