An Indian village named Bhaluri, majority of whose residents belong to migrant Hindu families displaced in 1971 from Amarkot, Pakistan was in the news lately for some inspirational reasons.

Just 35 miles away from the international border of India and Pakistan, this is now an example of will and grit. After being destroyed due to fire, the village rose like a phoenix with initiative of the Ex Irrigation Minister of Rajasthan, Devi Singh Bhati and with the help of Indian society.

Last week of April, a tragic fire gutted 140 huts of 40 families of the village and with that they lost their documents related to property, identity, crop and cattle. The life ahead was looking gloomy and difficult, Families lost their shelter, kids lost their toys & school bags and farmers lost the cattle and farm equipment. Without food and shelter in the scorching heat of Thar Desert in 110 Fahrenheit with hundreds of families affected it was difficult to move or to stay.

The district administration promised each of the ravaged families Rs 1 lakh as interim relief, which was delayed due to legal procedures and red tape. Getting the government’s help was a longer route and they had to wait for government to verify the loss, send some temporary relief after various levels of approval for grants.

The Ex Kolayat Legislator a strong man from western Rajasthan Devi Singh Bhati had different plans, the 70 year old leader camped under a tree in desert along with his volunteers & started fundraising for building new homes for 40 families. The villagers started rebuilding and help started pouring in form of money, equipment, man power, building material, food supply and cattle.

The villagers added in manpower for rebuilding and they were able to build new homes in 10 days. Each house now have a 9’x15’ room, a 9’x9’ kitchen and a structure for rainwater harvesting. Toilets were built under the government’s scheme, Swachch Bharat Abhiyan (An Indian Federal Government Initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for cleanliness). Each house cost Rs 2,25,000. Ex Minister Bhati ended his camp after 15 days once the construction of houses were completed and everyone shifted to their new home, he ended up setting an example of leadership for other leaders to follow. 

A NGO "Mast Mandal" from nearby city Gangashahar provided each family with a sewing machine. The families devastated by the fire traditionally depended on embroidery for a living as it was a skill passed down from one generation to the other. In addition to that, philanthropists provided the families either a cow or five goats for an additional source of income.

The humanity and values shown by the Indian society for migrants from Pakistan is an example for international community in the modern day where we are seeing migration of millions of people in state of turmoil from countries like Syria.