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'Today, I cannot control myself'

Naveen Joshi in Khatri Chakla, Bhuj

At 0846 IST on January 26, 2002, exactly one year after a devastating earthquake struck Gujarat, a mournful siren blew in memory of those killed in that tragedy.

The air of Old Bhuj remains heavy with the grief of those who were left behind. In Khatri Chakla, the place that bore the brunt of Nature's fury on Republic Day 2001, more than 500 homes were flattened in 20 minutes and as many people got buried in the debris.

One year on, most of the survivors are still mourning loved ones. And worshipping Mother Earth.

A few shops have sprung up and Manoj Thakkar, who has lived in this town since childhood, was buying gathiya and jalebi (Gujarati snacks). He said wistfully: "Three of my relatives were buried on that day. They used to enjoy jalebis on holidays. That is why I am buying them."

Unfortunately, there is no one to enjoy the sweets with him any more. "I will give them to the dogs," he added.

In another corner of Khatri Chakla, Nilesh was crying alone. "I could not even cry in the last 12 months, as I am the only surviving man in the family and it would have affected the others. But today, I cannot control myself."

Nilesh gesticulated towards the area where his home once stood. "The whole family rushed my three-year-old daughter to the doctor if she even got a scratch on her body. And last year, when she was trapped under the cold concrete beams, we were watching helplessly. There was nothing we could do."

Dinesh Joshi was in a sombre mood. But "life goes on", he said. And when the siren went off, he began worshipping 'Mother Earth'. "I will build my home again, and this is where it is going to be," he said.

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