The massively destructive earthquake in Gujarat, India may have left as many as 100,000 dead, and Dartmouth students remain far away from the tragedy and longing for further, more conclusive news.
In an effort to help the victims of the disaster, student members of Milan, an organization of students of Indian and Pakistani descent, are working to put together a relief effort.
Milan president Amish Parashar '03 said, "we're starting to put an effort together here. Milan is going to get their membership together."
Additionally, Milan is trying to work with the College to put together a support network for students affected by the disaster, according to Parashar.
"It needs to get done as quickly as possible," he said, adding that he hopes that there will be support from the students and faculty: "We will try to get some outreach from the Dartmouth community."
Roshan Shah '01 agreed, saying "I think that it's great that we can do something for them."
Following the earthquake there were several long days without communication with India while the phone lines were down.
"There was a lot of fear and worry because it was very hard to get in touch with people in India. It was a big unknown," Parashar said.
"When the communication shuts down it worries people," he said.
Shah said he has several family members who live in India that were directly hit by the earthquake, adding that a removed cousin died in the disaster, though it is uncertain if anyone else in his family suffered a similar fate.
Shah echoed the lack of communication reported by Parashar. Shah said, he believes other family members have died in the quake, "not that I've heard of yet, but it's still hard to get a hold of people over there."
For many people in India, it is not just the deaths, but also the suffering physical structures that are a source of worry. Shah, as well as Rachana Vashi '01, spoke of family that have houses with large cracks in the walls.
In many cases the large cracks in the building structures makes them unlivable, she said.
Vashi, who has a lot of family in Gujarat, reported, "All my relatives are fine, but we weren't able to get in touch with them for a few days after. I guess we were really lucky."
Vashi said that her family is currently not in need of direct help. In terms of helping other victims of the earthquake, Vashi said of her family, "On a personal basis we will be willing to help."
"India just isn't prepared for something like this to happen, it's just awful that it had to happen there," Vashi said.
For some the recent events in Hanover have consumed time and energy that might have been focused on the situation in India. Shah said of the disaster in India, "We have our own little eclipse on our campus and so it's kind of overshadowed by that."
Gujarat, one of the most populous states in India, will be in great need of help in the months to come as it recovers from the earthquake.
According to The New York Times, Indian-Americans have been responding to the demand by sending monetary donations to relatives as well as donating medical supplies.
There are several national and international organizations organizing relief efforts in Gujarat.
Milan will keep people informed about how to help earthquake victims. Organizations such as the American Red Cross and UNICEF are also making an effort to help.
