To,                                                                                                                                           02/02/2001     

The Secretary,

Dear Sir,

Subject: An appeal to Guide us.

You are well aware that the massive earthquake on 26^th January, 2001 have ruined the lives in lakhs. The sufferings faced by our community are inexpressive.

The loss faced by our community is estimated as below:

Ø      The casualties are likely to cross one lakh.

Ø      The injuries are likely to cross 2 lakhs.

Ø      The property loss is estimated more than 20000 crores.

Ø      Many buildings have turned to ashes and others are on the verge of collapsing.

Ø      People are staying between the land and the sky without a roof on their head.

Ø      They are forced to sit in the unbearable cold of below 10 degree Celsius.

Ø      Acute shortage of water.

Besides these untold sufferings the other danger standing ahead is of breaking out of an epidemic. And the biggest challenge to be faced is to regain original Kutch and rehabilitate our fellow brothers. Similar type earthquake had ruined Kutch 50 years back and we don't want The History to repeat itself.

Kutchi people who have inculcated principles of Jainism in them and extended their help whenever world community called for, but today the Kutch itself is trapped in the dreadful calamity of nature.

Ours is a NGO working for the benefit of the Society via totally non-commercial web portal www.panjokutch.com We are constantly interacting with various people in Kutch and have posted the latest information available about the earthquake-affected areas on our site.

We are aware that your country has faced the similar problem and thereby you are experienced to deal with such problems. Kindly GUIDE US regarding following matters:

v                 Medium term & Long term planning regarding Rehabilitation.

v                 Infrastructure required to Regain Kutch.

v                 Architectural Know-how to build earthquake-proof houses.

v                 Required Technical and Financial assistance.

v                 Expert International Institution doing similar work.

v                 Precautions to be taken there after.

v          Point us other countries or places that have faced similar problems and dealt with it successfully.

We shall also appreciate if you can point us other countries or places who have faced similar problems and dealt with it successfully.

Your guidance will be of great help to us. The suggestions given by you will be forwarded to the Government, Various Institutions, NGO's, Architects, Engineers, Technicians and other concerned persons via www.panjokutch.com.

We hope that you will extend best possible help for this cause. Your valuable contribution for the humanity will be highly appreciated internationally by all.

PS. COULD YOU PLEASE GET US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Yours truly,  

Panjokutch.com

(Pankaj Shah- Project Director)