Resilience in Kutch
This Book is about ten survivors of the earthquake which hit the city in 2001. Our expedition led intrepid travellers to this region 19 years later, to talk to survivors to learn their stories and understand what makes them resilient.
Back cover image of the book
Stories of Earthquake Survivors in Bhuj
Bhuj is the capital city of the Kutch district, situated in the westernmost tip of India. In January 2020 we organised our first storytelling expedition to Bhuj. In addition to sampling much that Kutch has to offer, our main focus was exploring, through a series of individual and family interviews, the life experiences of survivors of the 2001 earthquake that devastated the region. This was accompanied by a series of lectures on the local environment, history, and even medicine. The conversations and lectures served as a vehicle for a cultural exchange between travellers and hosts. Most importantly, it allowed our team a deep dive into perhaps this unique region’s most unique asset: the resilience and life outlook of the Kutch people and their particular way of making peace with the life challenges we all, at one point or another, face.
The Expedition Team
Tim Campbell: Tim is an IT professional who is also an Ultimate Frisbee player, sound enthusiast and part time DJ.
Michelle Weiner: Michelle is a Communications expert who has lived and worked on three continents. She is joyful, adventurous, and does not hesitate to dance it out.
Sandra Kudrecki: Sandra is a financial professional and photographer who is always on the lookout for the perfect portrait.
Wiley Hall: Hailing from California, Wiley is an artist, curious soul, and Garth’s father.
Garth Hall: Garth is a U.S. diplomat who has worked at embassies in Egypt, Kuwait, Colombia, and Jamaica. He currently lives in Mexico City with his fiancee and their two dogs.
Ray Alvareztorres: Ray is a former journalist based in Washington, DC. Now retired, he travels and makes photographs, looking for what makes us kindred.
Research and Field Coordinators
Kishan Pandya: Kishan is a student of English literature at Lalan College in Bhuj. He plays cajon and drums, and loves theatre.
Shivani Rathod: Shivani is a student of English Literature who recently completed her undergraduate degree at Lalan College in Bhuj. She is interested in pursuing a PhD. She is also a teacher, a bibliophile, and loves to play table tennis.
Kishan translating to expedition member Wiley Hall
Shivani and Kishan on their way to an interview
Artist
Jigar Soni is one of the most talented painters and sketch makers of Bhuj. His work has been exhibited in national and international art galleries. JIgar has drawn sketches to recreate scenes from the earthquake as narrated by the survivors.
Expedition Directors
Akshat Chaturvedi: Founder of the Immerse In concept and disaster risk management expert. He is a native of Bhuj and the 2001 earthquake inspired his career. Since then, he has travelled in more than 25 countries, mainly working with various United Nations agencies and the World Bank Group. He is a storyteller, polyglot, and has won several international awards in photography.
Shilpa Rajan: Founder of Immerse In and a communications specialist. Shilpa enjoys exploring different cultures, especially languages and food, and sharing these experiences with others. She speaks Tamil and English, as well as through photography. When she’s not working with Akshat, she’s probably eating, taking pictures of food, or playing ultimate frisbee.
Support us: order the book!
The Immerse In Expedition has produced a book Resilience in Kutch: Stories of Earthquake Survivors in Bhuj that is the culmination of our visit and our research. Read the heart-wrenching stories of each of the households we visited, meet the individuals through our uplifting portraits, and experience the region and its culture in the landscapes. Travel along with us by purchasing this book and support future expeditions (which we hope you will join!).
Hard Bound Lay-Flat Version with Images on Matter Paper. Click on the image to order the book.