REPORT TWO: March on the Island

MARCH TO STAY ON THE ISLAND

I looked outside and was astonished. “What are you all doing here?” I asked. They said, “We’re here for you. We’re not going to let them take you out of here.”

I just got on the net for the first time since Port Blair. So much has happened since we got here. A few days ago, we received word that the Assistant Commissioner (AC) on the island wanted to force all the Americans to leave. Yesterday, Tuesday February 8, Navneet came back to the room and told the team that we only had 24 hours left on the island. “There’s a good chance we’re leaving, so it’s best we make our final preparations.” We had a meeting. We decided that the best thing was to work together to keep me here somehow, because my work was the most long-term and important. They couldn’t come up with anything. We decided that it was best to go back to Port Blair and then work my way back to the island somehow. We ended the meeting, frustrated. I told the Punjabi villagers what was happening. I talked to the president of the gurdwara, and he said it wasn’t right. I went back into the room, feeling very defeated.

In the mean time, Navneet was telling the villagers that we were being forced to leave. Within hours, word had spread and a huge crowd of people gathered in front of our house. I looked outside and was astonished. “What are you all doing here?” I asked. They said, “We’re here for you. We’re not going to let them take you out of here.” We all marched to the AC’s office. It was a protest! It was amazing. The people kept saying, “You’re the only one who has come to help us. If they take our brothers, we’ll go with them!” I was feeling so sick because we hadn’t done all that we planned. But people were saying, “You have given us hope. If you came all the way from America to help your sisters and brothers, the least we can do is help you stay here.” Many said that the AC seemed to have a prejudice toward Sikhs: “For rations, he gave us stale bread, crackers dated for 2003.” Once we reached the office, the villagers faced the AC and said, “If you take him out, we’re going too!” The gurdwara representatives and Esher Singh went inside to speak with the AC and they got on the phone with people in Washington, DC. Esher Singh came outside and told us, “We’re good to stay. They will give us a few more days.” The AC has agreed to let us stay here until the 17th of February, at which time all non-Indians need to leave.

RESTORING THE GURDWARA

Today, I am working on renting a backhoe so that we can clean up the gurdwara. The gurdwara is surrounded by water at this high tide. I still need to find out what’s happening to the island geologically from scientists. We will try to build it up higher today, so that the water doesn’t swamp it. We may bring in more dirt or build a sea wall to keep water away. I am trying to rent the backhoe from a Punjabi villager. He has two backhoes, but at this time they are rented to the government. We will find out tomorrow if they will let us use them for a couple of days.

HEALTH

I am doing alright as far as health. I do miss home a lot lately. I need to start the main project soon so it will keep my mind off home. The island is very beautiful with its rich forests of dense jungle and trees. No one wants to sell any cars or motorbikes right now, because so many were lost in the tsunami. So it’s still hard to get around. I walk everywhere and sometimes someone will let us use their motorcycle for a few hours. I already told you about the march yesterday to the AC’s office. It was so much fun but very serious too. It gave us three days and today Esher Singh Got us more time with his connections. The tides are rising as the month goes on. Tonight we will see the highest tide to date. Got to go for now. I’m at the government communication center and thanks to John for letting me get on.

--Email and Phone Transcription, February 9