Tata Chemicals has been a pillar of support to the people of Okhamandal when drought or other natural calamities have caused suffering

Tata Chemicals has taken up relief activities in Okhamandal whenever the need has arisen. It has done this through the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD). Listed below are some of the relief efforts the Society has undertaken.

Gujarat earthquake relief: The Tata Group mobilised relief operations on a war footing in the days following the devastating earthquake that hit Gujarat on January 26, 2001.

Within hours of the calamity, the Tata Relief Committee was set up to identify and coordinate relief operations in the regions of Kutch and Saurashtra. After discussions with G. Subba Rao, the chief relief coordinator, officials of the government of Gujarat and local NGOs, it was decided to channelise relief work through the Abhiyan Group, a local NGO.

A temporary communication centre was established at Rajkot, and a team was stationed at Samkhiali to oversee the dispatch of relief material. A material storage depot was also set up in Khattar, about 21 km away from Bhuj, which bore the brunt of the quake.

Relief efforts were concentrated in seven villages in the Bhuj area and 12 villages around Morvi in Rajkot district. Teams of volunteers from Tata Chemicals, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power and other Tata companies pitched in to bolster the relief work.

Cyclone relief: A devastating cyclone struck coastal Saurashtra in June 1998, causing severe damage to rural houses and electrical transmission lines.

Under the direct supervision of TCSRD, repair work was initiated, including the partial repair of roofs by fitting bamboo and wooden poles and tiles, and the reconstruction of completely blown-off roofs. About 1,192 houses were repaired in 28 Okhamandal villages in the days following the cyclone.

Cattle feed distribution: As has been the practice for some time now, subsidised cattle feed is made available to all cattle-owners in Okhamandal and some villages of Kalyanpur during years of drought.

During 1997-98, 940 tonnes of cattle feed were distributed in 44 villages and seven institutions. Other relief provisions included drinking water for cattle, health and veterinary care, and financial aid to cattle camps.

Water supply: During periods of acute scarcity, TCSRD, in coordination with the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewage Board, makes drinking water available in a number of villages.