Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Fishermen pay homage to tsunami victims

Express News Service
Chennai:
Eight years on, their tears might have dried up, but the scars remain.
The fishing community across Chennai on Wednesday remembered, with as much fondness as pain, their near and dear ones who they lost to the rampaging tsunami on the Boxing Day of 2004. They also shed a tear or two while paying homage to the 200-odd city folks who perished to the giant waves.
The Kasimedu fishing harbour lacked the usual chatter as the fishermen stayed away from sea in observance of the day. As the boats, tethered to each other at the harbour, danced in synchrony atop the waves on a windy day, the fishing community offered milk and flowers to the sea. Pandals were put up in various locations in Kasimedu and Foreshore Estate with fishermen’s associations offering prayers and food in remembrance of the victims.
Prayers from different religious communities were organised in Kasimedu fishing harbour by South Indian Fishermen’s Welfare Association. Its president K Barathi recalled that nearly 200 people died when the tsunami struck Chennai coast in 2004. He said the tragedy was felt by people from different religious communities and that was why SIFWA had organised prayers for the tsunami victims. Similarly, Chennai Mechanised Boat Fishermen Welfare Association organised an event in remembrance of the tsunami victims. Former speaker and Royapuram MLA D Jayakumar participated in the event which was attended by nearly 2,000 people.
President of the association, M E Raghupathy, said the trawler wharf, which was damaged during the tsunami, was yet to be restored and work was going on to set it right.
He also said that funds from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for tsunami relief were inadequate to rebuild infrastructure for fishermen. Raghupathy also highlighted the lack of a marine export zone in Tamil Nadu and said that the neighbouring Kerala was reaping profits due to this.
He said although the State government had announced to give land for boosting marine exports, it was not adequate. He said, “If proper infrastructure, including 24-hour power supply and environmental clearance, is provided, then the scheme would be success.”
In Foreshore Estate, members of the Desiya Pengal Kootamaipu paid homage to the tsunami victims by offering milk and flowers to the sea. Perumal, a leader of the outfit, said the association also demanded that houses be built for all fishermen in Srinivasapuram instead of allotting them to a few.
 
 

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