Tsunami survivors haunted by memories, unfulfilled promises

Chennai, Dec 26 (PTI) Candle light vigils and memorial
services marked the anniversary of the killer tsunami that
struck the coast of India's southern state of Tamil Nadu
claiming over 8,000 lives on this day four years ago while
survivors complained of unfulfilled promises of their
rehabilitation.

With the black Sunday still afresh in their memories,
the survivors and relatives of the victims converged at many
affected places to pay homage to their loved ones.

The tsunami, which left 8,200 people dead, including
thousands of children, caused extensive damage in Nagpattinam,
Chennai, Cuddalore and Kanyakumari districts and rendered
lakhs of people homless.

While some victims complained that they were yet to get
their permanent houses promised by the government, some others
claimed that the homes alloted to them did not have adequate
facilities.

Voluntary agencies were given land free of cost by the
government. "While many NGOs had managed to construct the
houses and handed them over to the victims, several others
were unable fulfil their commitment fully," V Raghunathan, a
social worker involved in tsunami rehabilitation work in
Nagapttinam District, said.

A large number of people still live in huts close to
the sea.

Mata Amritanandamayi Trust which was entrusted with
the job of building 600 houses for the tsunami victims in
Nagore, near Nagapttinam, is among those which have completed
the work

In Cuddalore, Kanyakumari and Villupuram districts,
most of the fishermen, who lost their houses, were yet to get
permanent houses.

Officials, however, claimed the district collectors
had been asked by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to speed up the
construction work.

Controversies also continued to plague certain
projects already completed. Fishermen here refused to move
into 20,000 houses constructed by the state government for
them after tsunami.

"They wanted to be nearer to the place of their
work", National Alliance of People Movement Coordinator Y
Aruldoss told PTI.

The houses were too small to accommodate big families
and power was yet to be connected, he claimed adding that
toilet facilities were also not available.

"Apart from this, postal services were also not made
available to the people", he said.

Only 30 per cent of the affected had occupied the
houses constructed in Okkiyam Thoraipakkam and Semmancherry
and Kargil Nagar areas, he claimed. "Government and NGOs had
not discussed with the people before constructing these
houses", he added.

At Velankanni in Nagapatinam district, which bore the
brunt of the tsunami, special prayers were organised at the
famous Our Lady of Health shrine.

On the fateful day most of the pilgrims, who had
gathered there for Christmas celebrations were washed away by
the tidal waves.

In Cuddalore district alone, more than 50 children
orphaned by the tsumani had been admitted to various schools.
District Collector Rajendra Rathnoo said life for Tsunami hit
families was gradually returning to normal with the succour
provided by the administration and aid agencies.

All the 51 coastal villages in Cuddalore district were
hit by Tsunami and over 11,000 families have been affected.
Over 5,000 boats, fishing nets, houses crops were damaged.

"We cannot forget that day. I lost my wife and two
children. But I married Krishnaveni, whose husband died in the
tsunami. Now we have one son," Sankaran, a fisherman of
Keechankuppam near Nagapattinam, said.

Relatives of victims remembered their lost ones even as
they recalled the tragedy.

Religious ceremonies for the deceased were held at many
places. People at Keechankuppam gathered on the shore and
offered prayers to those who lost their lives.

Many children also remembered their near and dear ones by
lighting candles around the area.

Reports from Nagercoil said fishermen in the coastal
areas did not venture into the sea for fishing to mark Tsunami
anniversary day. They also offered prayers at the nearby
church for the people, who lost their lives in the Tsunami.

Reports from Nagapattinam district said many
children were suffering from various kinds of psychological
disorders including post-traumatic disorders.

According to Psychological Community Health Organisation
(Psycho Trust) director Christ Raj, teachers from various
school noticed that the children, who attended school after
the disaster, had some psychological disorders.

As many as 360 teachers, 260 social workers and 35
doctors were offered professional training to identify
children with psychological disorders in Tsunami-hit areas, he
said, adding that the team identified psychological problems
in as many as 1,247 children in the district. PTI COR
SAK