"There is a meaning of mercy in all that happens to us." Dada J P Vaswani reiterates this fact to us again and again. We may not always perceive its significance when we are caught in the throes of events; but time tells; and time heals wounds, taking us closer to the truth we seek.

On January 26, 2002, Gujarat braced itself to observe an unforgettable anniversary- a whole year had passed since the catastrophic earthquake had struck the state. Now, with God's
grace and the goodwill of selfless, service-minded people, Gujarat is slowly but surely rising, like a phoenix out of the ashes. The process of repair, reconstruction and rehabilitation has been steady and progressive. There is still a long way to go - but life is returning to their homes; and smiles are returning to weary faces. It is with deep humility and gratitude that we record the part the Sadhu Vaswani Mission has been able to play in the momentous task of rebuilding Gujarat.
Responding soulfully to the disastrous earthquake, Dada J. P. Vaswani offered his fervent prayers for the suffering brothers and sisters of Gujarat, as soon as he heard the news. A special prayer meeting was organized at the Mission Campus the following day, January 27, 2001. In the meanwhile, a high level rescue squad, had already set out to visit the affected areas; and preliminary rescue efforts were set in motion with truckloads of rations, blankets, clothes and medicines being rushed to Bhuj, the epicentre of the earthquake.

Dada's fervent appeal to the Pune citizens to help the quake victims, received an overwhelming response. Within a couple of days, gracious and generous donors had pledged a total of no less than 88 lakhs. More and more would be forthcoming in the days that followed.
In the meanwhile, a team of doctors, nurses and technicians from Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital set out for Gujarat. This was the first medical assistance squad to arrive in the twin cities of Adipur and Gandhidham. A Blood Bank Unit was set up and doctors began offering emergency medical care to victims.

As the Spiritual Head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission worldwide, Dada issued an appeal to Mission Centres all over the world to open their hearts and devote themselves to the massive task of putting Gujarat back on its feet. Devotees everywhere responded to Dada's compassionate call, and assistance in cash and kind began to pour into the Mission.
Dada being Dada, would not rest content with all that was being done. On 31st January, 2001, barely five days after the earthquake, he flew into Gujarat in a chartered aircraft provided by Mr. P.P. Chabria of Finolex Ltd. to be with the quake victims personally and to extend his helping, healing touch to them in their hour of crisis and tragedy. After landing at Kandla Airport, Dada was driven around the streets of the tri-cities of Gandhidham, Adipur, and Kandla, where he saw at close quarters, the havoc wrecked by the quake. He visited the makeshift hospitals and medical aid centres, offering comfort and solace to victims who were physically and mentally traumatised. With his tender love and compassion, he held the hands of the sick and the injured; he comforted the bereaved; he enveloped their suffering hearts with his healing compassion and warm love.

Quick and well-thought out action followed Dada's personal visit. Survivors and victims had pleaded with Dada to get the tri-city area fumigated. The Dhabol Power Company offered its assistance in this regard, and the fumigation process was carried out on 1st February 2001. Temporary basic shelter was provided to the homeless, even as the devotees of the Sadhu Vaswani Centre at Rajkot began to visit villages in the interior with much needed emergency aid and assistance. In several villages they visited, they found that they were the first outsiders to come with emergency aid after the quake had struck!

The team of medical experts from the Inlaks Hospital under the leadership of Mr. Kamlesh Moorjani and Mr. Raj Bhojwani had set up the Sadhu Vaswani Medical Centre at the Mid Town Hotel in Adipur, which soon earned the reputation of the best medical aid centre in the area. A relief headquarters was set up at the Sadhu Vaswani International School in Gandhidham, from where relief efforts were being coordinated.

Three major areas of operations were identified for immediate implementation following Dada's visit:
1) To organize repairs to damaged structures in the tri-cities of Gandhidham - Adipur - Kandla. One of India's leading structural consultants, Mr. Shrikhande, was engaged to offer expert guidance in the reconstruction work.
2) To finalise the plans for a new township called Sadhu Vaswani Nagar, with new quake-proof houses for victims who had lost their homes.
3) To offer educational, vocational and psychological support to quake-hit women and children, by setting up creches and counselling centres.

Dada's compassion and blessings began to be translated into quick and meaningful action! The Dhabol Power Company, the Divine Life Mission, Adipur, and a visiting Danish Medical Team joined hands with the Mission, and rehabilitation efforts took concrete shape. The Danes set up a state-of-the-art mobile operation theatre in Adipur- and surgeons from Inlaks Hospital began to carry out major surgeries for victims who needed them. Between Bhuj and Khandla, the Sadhu Vaswani Medical Centre was the only facility offering proper OPD and surgical facilities with X-Ray and a Pathology Laboratory. Gujarat Governor, Shri Sundersingh Bhandari, and other dignitaries visited the Medical Centre, and extended their warm appreciation for the excellent work it was carrying out.

To help the Mission's special Village Relief Team which had been initially handicapped by lack of mobility, devotees from Dubai, London and Mumbai contributed funds for the purchase of two vehicles- a Sumo and a Mahindra Jeep. Two more Sumo vehicles were loaned to the Mission for the relief efforts, with the help of these vehicles, the Village Relief Teams were able to reach remote villages in the interior of Kutch, which had not received any aid till then. Relief materials were distributed among the desperate villagers, and emergency medical aid made available to them. Impressed with the excellent work being carried out by the Mission, the International Red Cross approached Mission Headquarters in Pune with an offer of 12 more vehicles for immediate use in the relief operations.

Space was earmarked in the Sadhu Vaswani Hostel for working women in Gandhidham, to set up vocational and counseling sessions for women and crèche facilities for children who had been orphaned by the quake all this was accomplished by 9th of February 2001!
Under Dada's guidance and inspiration, the Mission drew up its detailed strategy to work in five major areas:

1) Medical Relief
2) Material Relief
3) Repair Relief
4) Individual Relief
5) Rehabilitation Relief

The first four areas were already operational. The Rehabilitation Relief took shape in the form of a major Housing Project, which like all other aid activities, was well thought-out and meticulously executed. The Rehabilitation Committee headed by Mr. Dasi Budhrani immediately set to work.
A piece of land admeasuring 7 acres was allotted to the Mission at a concessional rate by the Sindhi Resettlement Corporation and Construction work began on a war-footing in May. On an average, 3 houses were completed every two days. The entire construction project was completed in a record time of 161 days, with all work being done in rigid compliance of prevailing rules and regulations. Infrastructure facilities such as roads, street lights, sewerage lines, electricity and water supply were duly provided.

With the dedicated efforts of Mr. Rajan and Mr. Sunil Israni, in the first phase, the Mission completed the construction of 244 quake-resistant, well-constructed houses, each with a hall, 2 bedrooms, kitchen and toilet. The cost per house was efficiently and economically restricted to US$ 5000 - of which the allottee's contribution was US$ 3000, (the quantum of aid each allotee received from the State Government) while the balance of $ 2000 was contributed by the Sadhu Vaswani Mission through donors.

The housing complex, named Sadhu Vaswani Kunj, was inaugurated at a solemn ceremony on 5th November 2001, at the hands of Revered Dada J.P. Vaswani. Honorable Home Minister of India, Shri L.K. Advani presided over the function, which was well attended by several Ministers and Officials of the Gujarat Government and other dignitaries.

With one major housing project successfully completed, Dada J.P. Vaswani expressed a desire that this ongoing work of service should not stop. Therefore, it was though to start four more projects:

" Construction of 90 tenements in Adipur and Gandhidham.
" 100 independent houses in Morvi.
" 70 houses in Rajkot.
" 200 houses in interior Saurashtra.

The Morvi Project was the result of Mr. Chandru Budhrani's efforts. Seeing the pitiable condition of Sindhis, he immediately requested Dada to start a housing project and made the first contribution.

The Rajkot Projecy of 70 houses was launched during Dada's visit to rajkot on febrauary 28. Dada performed the ground breaking ceremony and we are informed that the construction work is going on full swing.

The devotees, donors and the ever-willing volunteers of the Mission have risen as one to carry out their part in the rehabilitation work, under the guidance and inspiration of their Revered Dada J.P. Vaswani. The journey has begun well; with the grace of our beloved Gurudev, we are sure it will be successfully completed.

Krishna