Vantra goes unnoticed; no relief reaches it

Vantra goes unnoticed; no relief reaches it
MILIND GHATWAI

VANTRA (KUTCH), FEB 15: Nature has been very unkind to this tiny village of 125. Not only is the village small, but also unapproachable. And if relief material has not reached this village, for once, it's not the administration's fault.

The village, located on a small hillock, disappeared in the January 26 earthquake.

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While at some villages, water has spurted out of earth, at some whatever little water there was has dried up. In this village, a small pool of stagnant rainwater has suddenly turned into a steady stream that runs towards the farms. However, this is not good news as the villagers claim that the water is saline. A couple of days after the quake, the villagers saw water flowing down a nearby mountain which, they claim, sank on January 26. However, they soon realised the water was saline. But for a few patches of cultivable land, the village is surrounded by barren salty land.

Hit badly by the quake, the villagers are now wondering whether they will be forced to relocate. ``If the water continues to flow at this rate, it will ruin our land,'' says Noor Mohammed, eyeing the steady stream of water.

Though only an old woman's life was lost, all the houses were destroyed by the quake. Another villager died in Anjar where he was working as a daily labourer.

Drawing from their experience, the villagers say little will grow in their land if the flow of water does not stop. If it spreads, it will also cut off the only approach road to the village.

For the past two years, the rain god has refused to smile on the region, thus forcing most of the residents to look for jobs outside the village.

Their woes do not end here. If it had not been for the quake, the village would have been connected by a pucca road. ``Work had started but the quake has put a question mark on its completion,'' laments another villager.

Vehicles carrying relief supplies roar past their village, heading towards the now famous Dhrang-Lodi village which is believed to be the epicentre of quake.

Just 4 kms away, a stream of villagers throng to a place from where water has gushed out in patches. They collect water from a crater to carry as memento and then happily return to their respective vehicles, not bothering to think if there's life beyond the white patches. Vantra villagers have placed a board there, urging visitors to pay attention to their needs as well. But, the visitors can't see the board which says: ``Take a look at us''.