Sep 9, 2003
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Fodder Sent to the Drought-Hit Areas of Rajasthan

Large convoys of fodder laden trucks ready to move from sirsa for drought relief operations

As the 21st century rolled in, Rajasthan reeled under a series of successive droughts. Churu, Udaipur, Badmer and Bikaner districts were the worst affected. In the year 2000, it did not rain. The monsoon of 2001 was also a dry one. The lands of Rajasthan remained parched. All ponds and water sources dried up and life itself started shriveling up. Animals and birds were longing for water. When people could not sustain themselves, the live stock was left on its own. People started migrating in order to save their lives. Man was absolutely desperate and despondent against natures' wish. Seeing the grievous difficulty posed by this drought. Dera Sacha Sauda planned to dispatch drought relief in the year 2001 in the month of May. In order to dispatch the relief materials rapidly, His Holiness travelled from Uttar Pradesh to Sirsa after the spiritual congregation overnight on 6th May 2001. On 7th May, 240 tankers of water, 25 trucks of wheat, 5 trucks of wheat flour and 2 trucks of clothes were flagged off by Guruji towards Churu, Udaipur, Bikaner and Badmer districts. Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa (Haryana) & its devotees provided them 2700 trucks of fodder for the cattle during 2000 to 2003. 150 villages were being looked after directly by the Dera Sacha Sauda from its own tube well supplying the water. After dispatching the relief materials, Guru Ji started from Taranagar tehsil and went to the relief distribution centers personally. He supervised and distributed wheat, wheat flour, clothes and fodder. Guru Ji spent four days in the Taranagar tehsil and went from village to village supervising and taking post in the relief efforts. On the morning of 11th May, Guru Ji travelled 800 kilometers and reached the Jhadol tehsil of Udaipur district. In the Tribal areas of Kotra and Jhadol, Guru Ji distributed relief materials. The relief was disbursed through a series of 28 centres. When Guru Ji saw the plight of the poor tribals, He immediately decided to do something to change their primitive and difficult life style. Then on 17th May, Guru Ji started from Kotra and travelled 700 Kilometers to reach village Girav in Badmer District. Guru Ji visit spanned the whole district and He oversaw the distribution and interacted with the sufferers. People heaved the sigh of relief, as if an unprecedented, divine intervention had come just in the nick of time to help them. So, in all Guru Ji spent 14 days in the midst of the hot sands and under the scorching sun, to relentlessly serve the masses with the dedicated group of volunteers.