We are struck by the level of destruction at Limbdi after the more isolated damage in
Ahmedabad. |
We hear that 3 people in a house on one side of the street and 2 people in a house
opposite, died of their injuries after the earthquake. |
We are guided by people who are coming to terms with huge losses. This man lost his wife
in the earthquake. |
As we
walk through the streets we attract crowds of followers. I feel uncomfortable taking
photographs. A man shouts "no more pictures." A woman shouts "are you just
going to take photographs or are you going to do something about it?" But this
reaction is unusual. |
These people ask us to take their photograph. The man lines up his family and then they
all smile and wave goodbye. I am left wondering - and not for the last time - why it is
that people desire so strongly for their pictures to be taken when they will never see the
result... |
We are told of the Prince who lives in a tent and that we must visit him. People seem
proud of the fact that the earthquake seems to have treated all the same. |
However, when we visit the Prince we find him camped in the gated and guarded grounds
outside his palacial home (damaged but still available to be visited and with his
belongings in place). He has an electricty supply and a fan relieves the strong heat of
the afternoon. |
On the
way to the Prince's home we are shown some illegal settlements which our guide says will
not be eligible for compensation. Later, in Ahmedabad, the Collector says that illegals
there will receive something but it is not clear exactly what. |
One is
left wondering about the place of disaster reconstruction within broad development aims.
Is the status quo to be reconstructed? Will the rebuilding, the resources, the training,
the opportunities include those sleeping on the streets? Will the newly reconstructed
communities, rebuild the pre-disaster social structures? |
People live closely with their animals |
