Gujarat One of the worst earthquakes in India's history has claimed the lives of thousands, with many more still to be discovered. Hospitals in the Gujarat area are being overwhelmed, but an international aid campaign has already begun. As for the death toll, Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes is reiterating his belief that it could be as high as 100,000 deaths. The American Red Cross is just one of many organisations rushing to organise aid efforts for victims of the earthquake who have lost families and homes. The citizens of Gujurat and those helping around the world pray that the worst is behind them, but with disasters of this scale there is no real warning before the event.
Bodies continue to be pulled from the mass wreck of stone and rubble.
Villagers all across the region face grave difficulties returning to any sort of normal life. Earthquakes do not discriminate and this particular disaster has devastated the lives of people of all backgrounds. If there is any light of hope in the aftermath of the earthquake that has damaged so many buildings and wrecked so many lives, it may come in the form of diplomacy which has taken place between India and its neighbouring nation Pakistan. The two countries have a history of bitter communication. If the two nations can continue steps towards diplomacy, then this may be just a small tribute to the thousands who have perished.