During the last five months, since January 26, 2001, the day of the earthquake, which claimed the lives of 30,000 people and left 600,000 people homeless in the state of Gujarat, not a single village had been reconstructed by the state or the federal government of India, even though millions of dollars had flowed into the coffers of the governmental and other agencies through the help of generous people from within and outside India.

During April 8-10, 2001, when Professor Ashok Malhotra accompanied by the NBC-TV (Utica Channel 2) team of Karen Huxtable and Keith Hunt, visited the towns of Bhuj, Kuran, Ratnal, Anjar and Bhuchao, devastated by the earthquake, he was appalled by the plight of the women, men, and children who had been neglected by the slowness of the governmental machinery. After talking to the village folks of these towns, Professor Malhotra decided to work with one of the NGOs-the Vaidic Mission Trust headed by Mr. Dharambandhu, who had decided to devote his time, energy and life, to the rebuilding of five villages razed to the ground by the earthquake. Through the Ninash Foundation, Professor Malhotra decided to adopt the village of Kuran where 1200 residents were left 
 homeless and without an elementary school because of the earthquake.

With the help of Mr. Dharambandhu, Professor Malhotra held a meeting with the elderly people of the village of Kuran and decided to form a team between the Vaidic Trust Mission of  Dharambandhu and the Ninash Foundation of Oneonta, a charitable organization established by Malhotra in memory of his wife Nina who died of cancer 10 years ago.

During their meeting, Mr. Dharambandhu and Professor Malhotra requested the members of the village community to provide land, sand, and labor to rebuild 200 houses for 1200 people and a new elementary school for 150 children. Through the Ninash Foundation, Professor Malhotra promised $12,800 to construct 10 houses as well as an elementary school building. He gave the money to the Vaidic Trust Mission with the promise that the entire village of Kuran with 200 new houses complete with the Indo-International Elementary School should be reconstructed before the beginning of the monsoon season. Mr. Dharambandhu went on an aggressive campaign by approaching other NGO’s for donations to construct the remaining 190 houses. He was successful in obtaining the needed funds from individuals and organizations in India and USA, which helped to rebuild the entire village of Kuran complete with 200 houses and the new Indo-International School.

On April 10, 2001, the team of Mr. Dharambandhu, the people of Kuran, and Professor Ashok Malhotra, took the decision to rebuild the entire village and the elementary school for 150 children. The entire project was miraculously completed by June 26, 2001. 
This marvelous accomplishment is a clear indication of how a team of caring and determined people from India and the USA can perform the miracle of reconstruction of an entire village in less than three months. The first of its kind since the earthquake!

When Professor Ashok Malhotra went to India on June 26, 2001 for the inauguration of the Indo-International School and the reconstructed village of Kuran, he was joined by Mr. Sunil Shastri, Secretary General of the Congress Party of India, Ms. Janet Barnes, Council Women from Salinas, California, Dr. Vishwas More of Berkeley, Mr. Shah of California, and Mr. Dharambandhu of the Vaidic Mission Trust. The newly reconstructed village of Kuran was inaugurated  by Janet Barnes of California and the Indo-International School by Professor Ashok Malhotra. The ceremony was attended by more than three thousand people from the surrounding villages and was broadcast by the Zee, Doordarshan and Jain TV channels. A special report on the work of the Ninash Foundation, a catalyst in opening Indo-International Schools for underprivileged children of Dundlod, Rajasthan and Kuran, Gujarat, was broadcast on Jain TV on June 30, July 1 and 2, 2001.

Though Kuran is the first reconstructed village, the earthquake has upset the entire life style of the people of these villages. There is more work to be done to bring normalcy to the life of the people. The village of Kuran has the following urgent needs for which we have to raise funds:
1. Because of the earthquake and the three-year long draught, the village has no source of water.  An electrically operated tube well is needed to raise the water for the 1200 people of the village.
2. The digging of the well will cost $5000. 
3. Though the Ninash Foundation provided financial help to build the structure for the Indo-International School for 150 impoverished children, the village has no resources to pay the salaries of teachers.
4. We need to raise  $30,000, which will be used to create a trust fund, the interest from which will pay the salaries of teachers.

Total amount needed for the Kuran projects:  $35,000

Since Kuran is the first reconstructed village with 200 houses and an elementary school for 150 children, it has become a model of hope for the surrounding villages. The elders from the nearby villages of Ghorpar and Kher have already approached Professor Malhotra and asked for the financial support to help rebuild another 130 houses and an elementary school in their towns.
 
5. Since $500 US dollars will build a new house for a family of four, it will cost only $65,000 to help reconstruct 130 houses in the villages of Ghorpar and Kher.
6. To build an elementary school for the children will cost another $20,000 and to set up a trust fund for teachers’ salaries will amount to $30,000.

Total amount needed for the reconstruction of Ghorpar and Kher:  $115,000
 
The Ninash Foundation plans to raise $150,000 before the end of year 2001 to help in the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects for the victims of January 26, 2001 earthquake.

To build these 130 houses and an elementary school as well as to provide an electrically operated well for the earthquake victims, we need your financial support.  It is an opportunity for you to make a positive difference in the lives of these unfortunate people and especially children. 

Since American dollar goes a long way in India, no amount of financial support is small!