(1 Feb 2001) Hindi/English/Nat
XFA
A trail of death and destruction left by the killer quake that hit the western Indian state of Gujarat on January 26, has left vast areas of the state completely devastated.

Nearly a week later, village after village lies in ruins.

Thousands of people have lost their lives and more than 30-thousand have been injured in the biggest earthquake India has seen in five decades.

Five days after the calamity struck, the focus is beginning to shift from rescue to relief.

Hopes of finding more survivors have receded.

But frustrations are rising among those who have survived the quake.

Aid agencies have stepped up their relief and rehabilitation operations in the earthquake ravaged region.

But most of the relief activities have till now focused in the main centres such as Bhuj and Ahmedabad.

Villages in far flung areas have suffered extensive damage, but they are still waiting for aid.

Rapar village has lost more than 400 people in the quake.

The rest continue to live amid the ruins of what was once home.

Water is scare, food is running out and there are no medical facilities to look after the injured.

Homeless and in despair, they say the government has deserted them in their hour of need.

SOUNDBITE:(Hindi)
"we are forced to live in our damaged houses...in the open ..in this cold weather. We have not got any relief here - no tents, nothing....there is nothing for us. The relief is meant for the poor - but it is going to the rich."
SUPER CAPTION: Mohan, villager who lost his home

SOUNDBITE:(Hindi)
"we have not received any help so far. This is a village of poor and backward caste people....our community is very poor. And we have suffered the maximum damage in the earthquake."
SUPER CAPTION: Khinji Bhai Chauhan, villager

SOUNDBITE: (Gujrati)
"there is no water...
Q: what about food ?
we don't have enough to eat.
Q: where do you sleep ?
here , in the open."
SUPER CAPTION:Deviben , villager whose home was destroyed

SOUNDBITE:(English)
"doctor is not available here...and some government hospitals outside of 10 kilometers from Rapar - general hospital. So where we are going for our serious condition ? Some people injured hands, heart , head...many kinds of suffering."
SUPER CAPTION: Yunus Katri, villager

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