U.K. Indians anxious

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, JAN. 31. The Gujarati-Indian community in Britain is living through a nightmare fearing the worst as it waits for information about its families back in Gujarat. There are nearly 600,000 Gujaratis spread across Britain and almost every second family has relations in its native town or village.

The Indian High Commission here has been flooded

with telephone calls from anxious Indians, and on the local radio and TV

many have broken down while appealing for information and help.

More than 100 British-Indians were given visas over the weekend and helped with their flight arrangements by the High Commission.

A senior official said the High Commission was trying its best to help them but with the communication system in the quake-affected region down, there were practical difficulties in obtaining information. ``We are running two hotlines which are open 24 hours and callers are being directed to control rooms in India where they can get relevant information'', he said.

Indian diplomats were also in constant touch with the British media, apprising them of the latest situation and helping them out with their professional requirements. Over 40 British journalists were given visas within two days. The British Government, which has announced aid worth œ10 million pounds, has praised New Delhi's handling of the crisis even as media reports have highlighted the gaps in relief and rescue work. The Guardian, in a report from Ahmedabad spoke of ``confusion and lack of equipment'' hampering rescue efforts.

However, Ms. Clare Short, Secretary for International Development, told Parliament that ``organisation by the Indian Government is good, but international support was needed to supplement it''.

The Times, in an editorial, commended the Indian Government's efforts in containing the disaster. It said ``There will inevitably be hold-ups and exploitation. But a country that has just organised the Kumbh Mela, the largest public gathering in history, without incident.....has shown that it can, in extremes, pull together.''

The Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, has added to panic among the Indian community by putting the death toll at 100,000. He told the BBC's Newsnight on Monday that though this was an estimate, it was not beyond the realm of possibility. Meanwhile, Indians here are collecting relief material to be sent to Gujarat. They are also raising funds and sending volunteers.

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