TAUKTAE CYCLONE RELIEF

Shree Swaminarayan Gyanpith Trust, Salvav believes in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam meaning “The Whole World is one family” and has always helped the poor financially as well as socially backward classes. Cyclone Tauktae hit the coastal regions of Gujarat and intensified in the areas of North Gujarat from 14 to 16 May. It came as a swirl of wind that shook the different regions of the State destroying the livelihoods of many poor people. The destruction for lower class people was incommensurable; farmers lost their livelihood income their only earning source while on the contrary, some people lost their homes. Despite taking all the precautionary measures by the Government, the loss due to the cyclone was immense.

In the view of the destruction caused due to the Cyclone, our institute made a decision to help needy people. Several different institutions joined hands in this noble cause. There were several people who donated to the noble cause. The Trust decided to donate food kits as an immediate relief that would be beneficial for the sufferers. These kits included 6 bottles, 5kg Potato, 5kg other vegetables, 5kg wheat flour, 1kg gathiya, and 1kg chavanu. Around 1000 food kits were prepared at Shree Swaminarayan Sikhshan Seva Kendra, Salvav with the help of the teaching staff of the institution. The food kits were distributed to the needy people of the districts of Savarkundla, Sarkhadia, Khambha, Barpatodi, Bhad Sajanavav, Manekness, Shelna, and other villages of the vicinity. Our Trust members with 3 trucks of relief kits visited the affected villages and distributed the kits to the needy people.

While distributing the kits they noticed the distorted scenario of the affected villages. The shattered houses, without any roof, were almost the common scene of the vicinity. The roofs of the houses of thousands of families were dismantled due to the strong winds and heavy rains. Along with the source of income, the cyclone also took away the shelter of many people. Facing difficulties in getting one one-time meal in these difficult times, buying clay tiles to re-build their roof would become more burdensome. Our trust members decided to help the affected families by distributing them. Around 50000 clay tiles were purchased and distributed by our trust members to the needy people of the affected districts. These include the districts of Pichdi, Kodia, Bhavardi, Mota Mansa, Patapar, Barman, and other villages of the vicinity.

This was possible with the help of several donors, not only from India but from the USA as well, who merged with the trust to help the affected people. The donations were utilized for operational and material costs to supply food and necessary resources. The details of the beneficiaries as well as the financial mobilization are attached in Annexures 1 and 2 respectively.

Annexure 1

S..no	Name of beneficiaries	Name of village	No. of food packets	No. of clay tiles.
1	Kantibhai Rambhai Shekhda		1.
2	Ghanshambhai Dhirubhai Jogani		1.
3	Jaysukhbhai Rambhai Kanani	Mota Mansa		50
4	Bharatbhai Dhirubhai Vaghela	Mota Mansa		50
5	Kanani Mukeshbhai Kalabhai	Mota Mansa		50
6	Balubhai Raiyabhai Bhanderi	Mota Mansa		50
7	Dhirubhai Popatbhai Dhameliya			50
8	Haribhai Mangalabhai Parmar			50

Annexure 2

S.no	Name of Donors	Donation Amount
1	Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul, Chala	2,50,000
2	Rajesh Duggar (Dugar ploymers Ltd.)	51,000
3	Hemani Intermediates Pvt. Ltd.	51,000
4	Anil Himmatlal Bhalja	21,000
5	Jagdish Trivedi	11,111
6	Rameshbhai Chavda	11,000
7	Bhavesh Kotadia	10,000
8	Sachin Bhasker Narkhede	9,300
9	Kantilal Bhasker Narkhede	7,500
10	Others	23,802
	Total	445713

S.no	Expenditure	Amount
1	Gurukrupa Water Plant	27,300
2	Chavanu	30,000
3	Potato	27,900
4	Shree Swminarayan Mandir, Vadtal (Sukhadi)	15000
5	Shri Ram Industries (Clay Tiles)	474941
6	Shree Sahjanand Gurukul, Khambha	25,000
7	Petroleum Costs	22151
8	Other	9000
	Total	445713