Search the Internet          Tips

Pune rallies to help quake victims

Rucha Chitnis in Pune

Pune's citizens are rallying together to help earthquake victims being treated in hospitals in the city.

Enthusiastic students, housewives, working individuals have been arriving at hospitals in their thousands. Armed with clothes, fruits, toys, tooth-paste and even hair oil for women, they march from ward to ward, smiling or simply listening to the stories of the patients.

And it's not just the financially well off who are exhibiting such benevolence. It's people from all walks of life, who have reached out to the wounded. Laxmi, a housewife has been coming to the Army's Command Hospital with biscuits and clothes. "I have no news about my relatives in Bhuj and my husband has left to search for them. Since I can't be there, I am here to do my bit." Women have arrived in groups and they move from bed to bed, talking to the patients, holding their hands or trying to assuage their fears.

"These people are so scared. They have lost everything and all they want is someone to just talk to them," says Deane, a college student. Deane and her aunt Julie arrived with sackfulls of clothes. "I went around my neighborhood asking for clothes. Everybody has something to give and what better time than now."

In the children's ward, little Shanti is being treated for head injuries. Yet her swollen eyes light up as a lady gives her a lacy, pink frock. Shanti promptly asks her mother to put it on her and this seems to distract her momentarily from the pain.

Many volunteers admit that the time that they have spent with the patients has been a great learning experience and they are amazed by the resilience and courage displayed by many in the face of this unspeakable tragedy.

Five-year-old Rajesh, who has a badly scarred face and a damaged right eye, is one such example. His father tells volunteers that shortly after his son was taken to the local hospital, the first words were whether his seven-month-old baby brother was safe. Mrs Pratap, whose husband is an officer in the army has this to say. " Our husbands are in the border fighting and I felt compelled to be here and do something."

" Dukh to hota hi hai. Par jab log hame milane ate hai to hamara hosala badta hai," says 52-year-old Pushpa, who was hurt in the quake.

A family has even been coming to the hospital with food catering to Jains, who do not eat garlic and onion in their food.

"All we try to do is communicate with the patients and try to make a connection. I have also picked up a bit of Gujarati here," says Julie.

The Complete Coverage | List of earthquake sites

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report