The Damage

It took only a few seconds for the world of many Indians to come crumbling down. The earthquake that struck Latur and Osmanabad in the State of Maharashtra at 3:56 a.m. on 30^th September 1993 had a terrifying force of 6.4 on the Richter scale – powerful enough to put more than 30,000 people to sleep forever. It was India’s worst earthquake since independence in 1947.

Official statistics show that about 86 villages of the two districts – Latur and Osmanabad, were hardest hit by the earthquake.

The Relief Operation
In 24 hours, a team of 25 sadhus and volunteers of the organisation reached the village of Samudraal with 2,000 Kg. of food and medicine. The volunteer force peaked to more than 250 during the relief work. About 1,60,000 Kg. of food, clothes along with medical aid was distributed in 15 villages. The injured and sick were looked after by the devoted doctors of the organisation. A ‘Pitru-tarpan’ ceremony, where ablutions to souls of the deceased, was also held.

Immediate Relief Provided
The Sanstha provided relief to 15 villages in the devastated area. These were:
1. Samudraal
2. Kondjigadh
3. Kaddora
4. Kaddeo Nimbal
5. Kal Nimbala
6. Udatpur
7. Murshidpur
8. Balsur
9. Vilaspur (Pandhari)
10. Vadi
11. Mulgaon
12. Holi
13. Peth Sangali
14. Rajegaon
15. Rajegaon Sinhcoli

Items Provided To Earthquake Victims

Occupational Relief
The Earthquake had destroyed the livelihoods of countless people thus leaving them idle, financially poor and frustrated. To solve this, the organization gave occupational equipment to farmers, tailors, washermen, potters, cobblers, masons, carpenters, barbers, blacksmiths, wicker workers (women) and Brahmins performing rites and rituals, thus reviving their occupations and jobs. In total 2,156 people were given help

Educational Help
Temporary schools were set up immediately by the Sanstha to restart education for students in 4 villages – Samudraal, Kondjigadh, Murshidpur and Udatpur.

Food Distribution
Totally, 24 different items of food were distributed to the victims.

Total Food Distribution: 1,60,127 Kg of food.

Total Reconstruction of Samudraal on 7^th July 1995

In 24 hours, a team of 25 sadhus and volunteers of the organization reached the village of Samudraal with 2,000 Kg. of food and medicine. The volunteer force peaked to more than 250 during the relief work. About 1,60,000 Kg. of food, clothes along with medical aid was distributed in 15 villages. The injured and sick were looked after by the devoted doctors of the organisation. A ‘Pitru-tarpan’ ceremony, where ablutions to souls of the deceased, was also held.

After the first phase of rescuing and providing the survivors with the basic necessities of living, the Maharashtra Government gave the organisation the responsibility to re-create the village of Samudraal into Swaminarayan Nagar. An entire village with 280 houses, nurseries, a school, dispensaries, a water tank, gardens, religious centres, cemetery along with new roads, lighting, water facilities and drainage systems was undertaken by BAPS. On 7^th July 1995, the reconstructed village of Samudraal was handed back to the people.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Sharad Pawar, 9^th Nov. 1993:
"The help offered by this movement in different ways and means can never be valued. And the movement is preparing to build the villagers a new town. I am confident that the movement will complete all its responsibilities. Within these sadhus you find doctors, engineers, architects and accountants. These sadhus have accepted the ochre robes only to uplift humanity. I can definitely add that the sadhus and volunteers of the movement have served here with no expectation of rewards. They have truly performed humanitarian service here. They were here on the very next day following the earthquake. I again thank the Swamiji and his volunteers. Thank you for everything."

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Manohar Joshi, 31^st March 1995:
"I have never seen such wonderful work elsewhere. The Sanstha’s relief and social work during such a disaster has provided society with a new life and strength to bear the pain and suffering. This effort has been of great help to us."