| Shah, the son of
a former governor of the state of Madras (now Tamil
Nadu), is insistent that he gets none of the credit.
But Liittschwager and Sam Kumar, a Salinas physician,
said Shah is the catalyst for it all. Shah is a self-professed
tightwad and he wants whatever money he is able to collect
to go a long way. Each of the 200 homes he intends to
build in the deva stated village will cost about $400.
The 200 homes Global Uplift built in Kauran went up
for $200 in less than six months. Those homes were dedicated
in a ceremony attended by Salinas City Councilwoman
Janet Barnes.
Shah said he also wants to build a school, police headquarters
and a medical clinic in the dest royed village. And
he wants to restore the village infrastructure.
"They are on the up-and-up and Mr. Shah is a very
nice guy," said Paula Herrera, executive director
of the American Red Cross in Salinas. Shah said all
money collected by Global Uplift is spent for people
needed to do the work. There are no administrative costs,
he said. "I do it all here out of this office,"
he said.
Herrera said Shah and Global Uplift were great generators
of money after the Indian earthquake in 1971 and the
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. The group gave $5,000
to the families of New York City police officers killed
during the attack. On the local front, the charity donates
blankets to the homeless at Doro thy's Kitchen at Thanksgiving.
Liittschwager said he is eager to get started. He has
already received 15,000 pounds of donated medical material.
"I've spent time in Third World countries and the
disasters that happen there are twice as devastating,"
said Liittschwager. "The people there cannot wait
six months."
Shah said Global Uplift is able to build the homes relatively
cheaply because all labor will be donated and he can
get discounts on materials. Being the son of a beloved
former governor in the region has its bene fits, Kumar
said.
Shah came to the United States in 1975 while his father
wa s still governor. He said he wanted to make his own
way in the world and believed the United States offered
the best opportunities.
But it is evident his heart is still in India.
"The people there are humble, poor and hardworking
people," he said. "Everyone needs to know
that. They are the finest human beings in the world."
Shah said all volunteers and contributions are welcome.
For more information, call (800) 482-0383 or 424-2919.
Liittschwager said he believes he will need plenty of
technical advice and expertise, particularly with the
restoration of water supplies and sewage treatment plants
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