We are trying to post the latest update of our flood relief effort at
this blog

http://biharfloodrelief.blogspot.com/

We would like to thank Mr M Varma for goading us to take up relief
work. Initially, we were reluctant both because flood relief has got a
bad name thanks to corrupt ways of some NGOs and also because most of
us are in principle opposed to charity. Looking at the sufferings of
the people, we decided to shed our inhibitions and decided to do tiny
bit.

It is my request that once the immediate need for relief is over, we
initiate a dialogue for a long term solution to this annual human
tragedy.

In a sense, our strength lies in our ability to influence policy. And
the problem does appear to lie in the wrong policy of embankment led
flood management. It was an eye opener for me to find that the flood
prone area has increased from 2 M hectares in 1955 when the
embankments were started to be constructed to 6.9 M hectares in 1992,
the latest year for which data is available. Surprisingly, the British
Chief Engineer of Irrigation of Govt of Bihar had debunked the usage
of embankments as a flood management measure in 1938 and had stressed
the need to have unhampered drainage. Even earlier, the British had
decided against embanking Damodar around 1870 when they found that it
was proving counterproductive. They actually demolished 30 miles of
embankments that they had built and never took up building of
embankments for any river which carries a lot of silt.

I guess if we can start an active debate on this issue, a long term
solution can be worked out.

For the moment, we are trying to do what we can in some of the flood
affected areas.

Thanks

http://biharfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2007/08/bihar-flood-relief-contribute-your-\
2.html
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pgN0IIAemFfn9L2EVRpLIEw




--- In biharchintan@..., "Atul Kumar" <atultech@...> wrote:
>
> Some updates via a mail thread below to add to similar updates
from Vivek,
> Divyanshu, Ashok and others on the Bihari group ...
>
> Some highlights (must have missed many others efforts going on silently)
>
> Tanya Prasad , Rajiv Vidyarthi, TVS leading efforts at Mumbai drive
for fund
> collection and Chlorine / Medicines
> Chandan, Ravi Chandra, Sudhanshu jee and others in the GROUND ZERO
> co-ordinating at local level
> Kishlay and others will provide medical expertise inputs to guide our
> efforts
> Vivek, Divyanshu, Ashok, Jyoti Prakash , Naveen and many others at
> Hyd/B'lore working for raising funds/supplies
> Offer of support from Chicago
>
> many parallel efforts going on so let's keep each other updated that
so that
> we are in sync. Some of us are planning to adopt 1 or more villages
for a at
> least 1 yr and help in rehabilitation efforts
>
> By tomorrow will know if can get GE Water's Solar RO (Reverse
Osmosis) Units
> ..that will really help in solving the potable water problem and
avoiding a
> disease outbreak
>
> Friends .. the immediate flood relief is much easier problem but
what will
> be needed in greater momentum is rehabilitation efforts after the rivers
> have receded . much of the visibility goes down but scars from the
> devastation remain .. so please keep the momentum on. Also any of
the silent
> members please come forward and join-in whichever channel and group
you feel
> comfortable with.Rajiv Vidyarthi is putting together a document on
google
> docs / sheet to keep track of efforts and contributions which will be
> published over web.
>
> Reason we are sharing this detailed update and mail thread is that
all can
> see the progress via the web community of Bihar. Of course as Naveen jee
> always says, this also illustrate the power of a networked/connected
world
> which we can leverage for bihar's resurgence.
>
> As is often quoted, the Chinese word for Crisis mean threat and
opportunity.
> So let's treat this crisis also as an opportunity to emerge stronger
as a
> community .. after all whole earth is itself a living organism isn't
it ..
> if you don't agree then try this
>
video<http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6983074709191796496&q=global+brain\
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Naveen sharma <naveenshar@...>
> Date: Aug 7, 2007 11:27 AM
> Subject: Re: [Bihari] Digest Number 2347
> To: Atul Kumar <atultech@...>
> Cc: kishlay_anand@..., Chandan Singh < csingh@...>, Rajiv
> Vidyarthy <rajiv.vidyarthy@...>, tanyaprasad@... ,
> sarojk@..., Mayank Krishna <mayank.krishna@...>, Thakur Vikas
> Sinha <tvsinha@... >, Samir Kumar Mishra <samirmishra@...>,
> Rahul Kumar Barnwal <rahul.barnwal@...>, Ajit Chouhan
> <ajitchouhan@...
> >
>
> Solar RO could be a great solution.
>
> Naveen
>
>
> On 8/7/07, Atul Kumar <atultech@...> wrote:
> >
> > Was able to get through my ex-boss at GE (H Bala) who heads GE Water
> > India. He was boarding a flight from hyd to b'lore so will talk in
detail in
> > 2-3 hours. Meanwhile if we can be ready with a good proposal of
what we need
> > from GE Water ( clean water) then can discuss with him. TVS
suggested that
> > we can connect him with relevant bihar govt. officials if needed
or else we
> > can continue within ourselves .
> >
> > Rajiv's document modified as a proposal and team profile. Instead of
> > chlorine we can actually get some water treatment equipment
installed as
> > well which will be great
> >
> > below is our mail exchange
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > From: Atul Kumar < atultech@...>
> > Date: Aug 7, 2007 11:12 AM
> > Subject: Re: Bihar Flood Relief
> > To: "Bala, H (GE Infra, Water)" >
> >
> > thanks Bala ... will work on the logistics details while you are
in flight
> > ..
> >
> > also let me know if you would prefer govt interface or
professionals like
> > us will be fine. Can send the profile of our team
(IIT/IIM/RECs/Doctors and
> > others mainly from corporate world) . Fairly informal but trusted
group of
> > people spread globally including
Bangalore,Mumbai,Delhi,US,Australia and
> > most importantly Bihar
> >
> > On 8/7/07, Bala, H (GE Infra, Water) < <H.Bala@...>> wrote:
> > >
> > > Yes we can do Atul !
> > > Let's discuss what needs to be done....we have some solar ro units I
> > > think in stock can be shipped, logistics installation etc we should
> > > talk....thnx bala
> > > -------------------------
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Atul Kumar <atultech@... >
> > > To: Bala, H (GE Infra, Water)
> > > Cc: Kumar, Atul <>
> > > Sent: Tue Aug 07 10:28:55 2007
> > > Subject: Bihar Flood Relief
> > >
> > > Bala Hi
> > >
> > > been a long time and have been thinking of calling you to give a
> > > personal update. But couldn't resist calling you today with
regard to the
> > > flood in bihar. It has been one of the most devastating floods
in recent
> > > history. Lots of biharis spread globally have been trying to
reach out
> > > locally and provide all support. Besides food,medicine, shelter
etc one
> > > area where is a really critical need is "clean water" since
people are
> > > drinking mud-water and an epidemic outbreak is in the offing.
People are
> > > trying to arrange for Chlroine etc but much more is needed.
> > >
> > > Will you be able to help via GE Water in getting some fresh water
> > > supplies. If so can try to link you with the right level at
Bihar govt. who
> > > can help with this or even volunteers on ground. In fact one of them
> > > (Chandan Singh) working very closely is ex-GE Betz. Will really
be great if
> > > GE and you can help make a difference there.
> > >
> > > Cheers
> > > Atul
> > >
> > >
> > On 8/7/07, Atul Kumar < atultech@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Just had a discussion with Chandan and he requested some advice on
> > > medical inputs. Hence am also marking Kishlay Anand who can help
us with
> > > these. Idea being, Kishlay can help with technical/experts
inputs which can
> > > be transferred somehow to the local volunteers on ground in terms of
> > > medicines, hygience etc
> > >
> > > Chandan : please shoot your questions and Kishlay will be able
to guide
> > > us as soon as he gets in. Might be taking rounds at his hospital
right now
> > >
> > > On 8/7/07, Naveen sharma < naveenshar@... > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I can get to IIT Alumni groups especially IIT KGP group with
whom I
> > > > have worked for quite some time.
> > > >
> > > > Naveen
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On 8/7/07, Atul Kumar <atultech@...> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > sounds great Rajiv. Also adding Ajit on the thread since had
missed
> > > > > him in the original mail (my fault). Yes having updates on
google doc which
> > > > > can be made public and refreshed regularly will be really
good ..
> > > > >
> > > > > also one more idea would be to reach out to various IIT groups
> > > > > somehow who are normally very pro-active in these matter
> > > > >
> > > > > On 8/7/07, Naveen sharma <naveenshar@... > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Good job Rajiv,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Two points - let's create a google docs where we provide
the link
> > > > > > current set of donors ( to show an example) and daily
expense - this we
> > > > > > should say will get updated on a daily basis.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Second - let's also create a sheet on daily activities in
terms
> > > > > > what is being done for relief side, to whom is it reaching
to show
> > > > > > transparancy.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Transparency is the key to motivate/inspire others.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > So let's create the google docs and make it public.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Naveen
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On 8/7/07, Rajiv Vidyarthy < rajiv.vidyarthy@... > wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Atul and others,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Please have a look at the attached one pager. If I have
missed
> > > > > > > anything do let me know .. I have tried to build
credibility of this
> > > > > > > initiative by putting in some keywords about people
involved in this
> > > > > > > initiative.. if anyone has any issues with that, or you
need any
> > > > > > > correction/modification do let me know. If I have missed
any name, do let me
> > > > > > > know ...
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Tomorrow morning I plan to release this to all of you
and our
> > > > > > > yahoogroups.. then you can send it to your
contacts/groups and ask them to
> > > > > > > transfer their donations to my ICICI bank account..
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Please let them know about our transparent processes in
which we
> > > > > > > will publish details of all donations to all the donors
and other involved
> > > > > > > ppl.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > regards,
> > > > > > > Rajiv
> > > > > > > 9323473603
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > On 8/7/07, Atul Kumar <atultech@...> wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Tanya Hi
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Ravi being at Bhagalpur and having a local presence
can surely
> > > > > > > > help. Also his project, "Bihar Development Trust" is
building ground level
> > > > > > > > network in the area of micro-finance etc so is closely
aligned.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Chandan is a close friend at Patna who has been the
anchor and
> > > > > > > > pillar of all our projects there. Already on the road
to help in the
> > > > > > > > affected areas. Between Ravi and Chandan, guess we
have enough local
> > > > > > > > presence to deliver whatever support.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Ravi and Chandan: hope you don't mind our taking the
liberty
> > > > > > > > to leverage your names and local presence there.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Of course you can also count on Mayank, Rajiv and
others at
> > > > > > > > Mumbai for supporting your collection efforts at
Mumbai. Am marking Saroj
> > > > > > > > who is one of the founding/core members of Bihari
group, currently in
> > > > > > > > California but has past experience in this area and
also some views/ideas on
> > > > > > > > what would/should work and what wouldn't. So in case
you are still ready for
> > > > > > > > a drive at Mumbai then can count on these members.
Mayank, Rajiv and others
> > > > > > > > am taking this liberty of throwing your names here
though know are
> > > > > > > > relatively busy these days
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Am marking the mail to couple of other friends like
Naveen at
> > > > > > > > Bangalore, Ajeet at Mysore who have also been working
in the background and
> > > > > > > > might have other references ideas to share.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Verma jee/sir, marking you also since you are already
making
> > > > > > > > some efforts via CARE, UNICEF and via bihareebabu and
gave the wake-up call
> > > > > > > > to many of us. thanks for waking us up from the slumber.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Regards
> > > > > > > > Atul
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > FYI
> > > > > > > > TVS at Mumbai
> > > > > > > > Rahul at Delhi (has different views on relief efforts but
> > > > > > > > still )
> > > > > > > > Samir at Australia
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > On 8/6/07, Dr Ravi Chandra <rchandra1231@... > wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > dear friends,
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I was thinking of provided relief but have no
resources.
> > > > > > > > > if we all can organise materials like tents, polythenes,
> > > > > > > > > blankets, we will distribute to needy .
> > > > > > > > > we are based at bhagalpur and can move with
materials when
> > > > > > > > > it arrives with the help of our team members.
> > > > > > > > > to know more about us, please click on link below our e
> > > > > > > > > mailid.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > ravi
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Dr Ravi Chandra
> > > > > > > > > Director
> > > > > > > > > 9334308432
> > > > > > > > > Bihar Development Trust
> > > > > > > > > rchandra1231@...
> > > > > > > > > bihardev@...
> > > > > > > > >
http://romanticirman.blogspot.com/2007/07/bihar-development-trust.html
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=34946028
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > ------------------------------
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Rgds, Naveen
> > > > >
> > > > >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>