'Your involvement, Mr Clinton, has certain implications'

Dear Mr Clinton

Let me begin by thanking you for your visit to Kutch. For the concern you have displayed towards the survivors of the earthquake. We are not experienced in dealing with former American presidents who visit disaster-struck areas and discuss rehabilitation and development issues with grassroot workers. Your visit, Mr Clinton, has been a surprising, but welcome change.

In Kutch, you repeatedly said the tragedy is bigger than what you had glimpsed on television. You promised you would be back. This, for us, is a new beginning. At the same time, your involvement here has certain implications. It has raised our hopes. For the common man, America is the land of bounty; it is the most powerful nation in the world. And, to the people here, you are America personified. That is why they shower you with so much love.

Madhvi Thakker, whose daughter Namrata died in that by-lane with many other students -- you went there to pay your respects, Mr Clinton -- told me, "Since January 26, we have seen more than 100 VVIPs here. But Clinton's seriousness and humility was most moving."

This is the effect you have had.

Your visit to Kutch is over, Mr Clinton, but the real test -- in the form of how the American Indian Foundation implements its stated agenda -- is yet to follow.
Mike Patel, in his recent interview to rediff.com, said you would help select the NGOs to whom the AIF would offer financial support. We were told you would also help them decide on the model of development work. Mike said their unique advantage lay in your special talent to understand issues faster than most world leaders.

Ramesh Patel, another IAF delegate and secretary, Indian American National Federation, added, "American Indians are thrilled that Clinton lending his name to the AIF. In fact, after he came forward, many people have started writing bigger cheques. We are trying to cash on his immense popularity and have lined up six to seven events back home. His speeches there will help us collect many more cheques."

Mr Clinton, since money will be pouring in in your name, you need to be aware of certain ground realities.

A senior government official -- who, incidentally, happens to admire you -- feels your role here will be quite limited. "You see," he said, "we are facing some unusual challenges. At many places, the villagers are driving the NGOs away because they consider them outsiders. Besides, the government is slow and, in a situation like this, the villagers find it unbearable."

Abhiyaan's Sushma Iyengar, whom you met in Ahmedabad, was even more forthcoming. "There is a lot of anger and irritation in urban Kutch because the government has not yet announced the rehabilitation package. Other important decisions are still pending. Like, for example, where will the cities be built? Over the old ones? Or will they be relocated? Meanwhile, temporary shelters are an immediate concern. At the moment, the government has distributed over 500,000 tin sheets and tarpaulins. How can you expect the people to be pleased with that? How can people live under tin sheets for 18 months when the outside temperature is 45 degrees?"

In fact, at Rapar, Kanmer and Sarsala, people have already returned the government-provided tin sheets that were to be used to build temporary shelters.

Kirti Khatri, editor of the highly popular Kutch Mitra, says, "The people are against the government-sponsored relief packages, which are giving more money to rich than the poor. They are losing their patience since, to date, not a single home has been constructed in Kutch. Clinton's visit, at this point, has raised their expectations."

Mr Clinton, more than 14 social agencies in Kutch have also objected to the inequitable distribution of aid. Nagin Valani, an industrialist, is building 600 homes in Surel village at his own cost. He is not taking any money from the government for this project -- though he is entitled to do so -- because he wants the houses to be ready before the advent of the monsoons in June. He told me, "This is humanitarian work; I don't want to delay it because of red-tapism."

Sushma explains, "The government has a scheme whereby it will help NGOs and others by bearing half the cost of the rehabilitation process. But the villagers don't trust the NGOs who use government money. They say they'd rather deal directly with the government. They feel that, if things go wrong, they can directly take the government to task but the cannot do the same thing with the NGOs!"

The AIF will soon have to decide the extent of its involvement with the Gujarat government. It will not be easy in view of your statement at Gandhi Ashram. "The Gujarat government," you said, "is the only one in the world which is giving the earthquake victims and NGOs 50 per cent of the cost for building new homes."

The people of Kutch are extremely independent-spirirted and NGO leaders believe this spirit should not be broken by fostering a feeling of dependence among them. The Kutchis take offence when visitors talk -- like the AIF has done -- of "adopting villages." They would rather have a "partnership." The Vantara, Habai and Nava Kataria villages have already driven out the NGOs who "adopted" them, because they suspect their motives.

They have already faced one disaster; now, they don't want their trust to be betrayed.

Kutch needs a development model that will promote self-help and give people control over their own life. You and the AIF have given us a profound sense of hope that we will see a better, well-planned future.

Yours truly,