Bidada Sarvodaya Trust
Heart Breaking Story Of : CHETANABEN
MANGALDAS GOR
Date: 26th Jarmary,2001
Place :Shivnagar, Bhuj, Gujarat, India.
It was this fateful time and place that changed the life of Chetna Mangaldas Gor forever. Leading a happily married life for 12 years with Mangaldas a T.V. mechanic by trade, Chetna lived in a ground floor apartment in a five storey building in suburb of Bhuj, with her 9 year old son & 4-year-old daughter. Both had dreams for their future. Having saved sufficient money to buy a house of their own, mainly with an intention to move out of their existing residential environment, their plans and future was brought to a grinding halt by (he mega event of that day -the 7.9 Richter scale earthquake that hit Gujarat in western India. The family was at home on that fateful day, having a cup of tea and waiting for the geyser to heat the water for their bath. Just then, her 4-year-old daughter started dying and said that something was wrong and before they could realize anything the building started shaking vigorously. Mangaldas asked her to look after the son and said that he would look after the daughter. Before they could act or move further, the ceiling came crashing down, pinning Chetnaben down by her legs. She could see the ceiling along with the fan falling on her husband and daughter, killing them instantaneously in front other eyes. The ground floor and first floor had collapsed under the weight of the three stories above, allowing the residents of these apartments to walk out unhurt.
Chetna and her son lay under the debris for nearly 52 hours before being rescued. lhose 52 hours have a different story to tell altogether. Both mother and son kept talking to each other, reassuring each other that they were well and alive. There were times that she felt that it would be better if she did not survive the ordeal, especially since she had lost her husband and daughter and also because she could not bear the pain. But the feet that she had to live for her son kept her going. There were times when she asked her son to go to the kitchen and get her water and some tablets to alleviate her pain. Her son could crawl and move about, but found that the whole house had been destroyed. Both lay in despair and kept shouting in the hope that someone would hear them and they would be rescued. Chetnaben heard many voices come near and go away, but none could hear her. She also had thoughts that nobody would attempt to rescue her as along with her some notorious elements living in the apartment block had also been probably buried, whom nobody would have liked to see come out alive! After nightfall, she could hear people coming into their homes and taking whatever valuables, money, and personal belongings they could lay their hands on. With little energy left in her, she tried to attract their attention to no avail. Eventually, around noon on Sunday, 28" January, help finally arrived and Chetna and her son were rescued. It took a lot of effort to free her from under the trapped debris. Even though she was writhing in pain due to her crushed legs, she had a smile on her face when she saw that her son was hale and hearty. She was immediately shifted to the Military Hospital, Bhuj, where she underwent emergency amputations of both her lower limbs. She stayed there for one day and at the request other family, was transferred to the Bidada Sarvodaya Trust Hospital, wherein she is at present convalescing. Bidada is the village where Chetnaben grew up. She had lost her father at the tender age of 4 months. Her mother is crippled for the last 14 years and is being taken care of by her widowed sister in law, into whose care Chetna is expected to go. There are times when Chetna has felt the urge to commit suicide, but the fact that she has to fulfill her late husband's desire to educate their son gives her fresh hope. Her son is a clever and intelligent student who is doing well at school. Chetna wants to see her son wearing the 'white coat' one day, especially since 4-year-old daughter wanted to become a nurse to
serve and help patients get better. Chetna's life is now at
a standstill. She sits in the tented ward at Bidada, with no definite direction
to life, no one to turn to for support, except God Almighty, whom she wants
to serve in the future. Chetna is at present mobile on her wheelchair, awaiting
her wounds to heal so that she can be fitted with artificial limbs to enable
her to get on her own feet Bidada is now a Center of Hope for the hundreds
who have been treated here since the eventful day of Friday, 26" January,
2001. The dedicated team of volunteers,
doctors, Trust members and all the staff have managed to bring a smile and
cheer on the faces of those who turn to Bidada Sarvodaya. Trust Hospital for
help, giving them a hope for their fixture rehabilitation.
Bidada Sarvodaya Trust Board has decided to start Medical
Rehabilitation program for earthquake victims. At present more than 1900 patients
are being treated at Bidada Hospital and around 400 surgeries were performed during such crucial
times. Patients are still being admitted from other places after receiving
initial treatment from their home place. And after this disaster Bidada Hospital
is the only surviving place available for Surgery or Treatment. Trust is moving
forward towards long-term rehabilitation, which needs large capital and also
commitment. To make this Gigantic task a success we request contribution in
form of donations as well as the help from Government and Overseas Agency.
World Health Organization [WHO] has already visited Bidada hospital. They have appreciated our work and are planning to cooperate us in our Rehabilitation Program. Also the team of California Delegates representing various Local Organizations from USA- Mr. Popat Savla, Mr. Bhiku Patel, Dr. Manibhai Mehta, Mr. Ukabhai Solanki, Mr. Govind Lalani, and Rashmi Shah has come to India for one week especially for earthquake relief work. Dr. Bala Subramanium, Head of LA. Country Disaster Management Team accompanied the delegation and visited Bidada Sarvodaya Trust hospital to offer his expertise and offices.
We shall appreciate the help rendered by you for our fellow brothers. Please
send your donation to:
Jain center of southern California (Bidada Earthquake Victims)