M A I N   N E W S

Clinton wins hearts of quake-hit

Anjar, April 4
Former US President Bill Clinton today stormed the quake-hit Kutch sharing the people’s grief and winning hearts of the victims while pledging to keep raising funds for them.

Mr Clinton, who has brought with him the keys of a $ 50 million (over Rs 200 crore) fund put together by the America-India Foundation to help the quake victims, held the hands of two surviving children while laying flowers at the spot where nearly 300 schoolchildren participating in a Republic Day procession were buried alive under the debris of collapsed houses.

About 3,000 people watched Mr Clinton as he bowed his head for a moment in memory of those who perished. “We will raise funds to help the people of Anjar to face their loss. We have a plan to see if money can be given to the people to rebuild their lives,” he said in a brief speech.

Mr Clinton also went around some of the rubble-strewn streets seeing the devastation caused by January 26 killer earthquake.

At one point, as he walked a large number of on-lookers shouting “Clinton, Clinton” suddenly surged through the security cordon to get closer to their famous guest forcing the police to use mild force to keep them at bay.

The former President was whisked into car which sped off. However, before getting into the vehicle he waved to the crowd and shouted “I will be coming back to India for the rest of my life.”

Earlier, on his arrival at Bhuj Airport, Mr Clinton said “today I am here to look, listen, learn and ask questions and see what we can do to help.”

“People of this place have lived through an unimaginable tragedy. The most important thing now is to think how it should be re-built and the people return to normal life.”

He also visited Ratnal, a small village totally devastated in the quake.

Braving the blazing sun, Mr Clinton not only waved to the ecstatic crowd but also mingled with the people and shook hands with them throwing the security personnel into tizzy.

Sporting a green shirt with matching khakis and suede shoes, Mr Clinton first visited a pre-fabricated hut built by the American India Foundation.

Women wearing traditional Kutch attire received him by applying vermilion on his forehead and showering flowers.

The Gujarat Industry Minister, Mr Suresh Mehta, Anjar MLA, Mr Vasan Ahir and the village sarpanch, Mr Bachu Bhai Rava, briefed him about the prevailing situation. PTI