12 years on, tsunami of pain lingers
The horrific memories of the tidal waves that swept away thousands of lives 12 years ago from the coastal areas are still fresh. The wounds might have healed over a period of time, but the scars remain. “It will remain forever,” said relatives of the victims.
By : migrator
Update: 2016-12-26 18:27 GMT
Chennai
Silent rallies, tearful homage and special worships in memory of those, who were swept away by the deadly tsunami, on December 26, 2004, marked the observation of the 12th solemn anniversary in the state. In most of the fishing hamlets, fishermen observed the day as black day.
Fishermen in some of the hamlets in Tuticorin and Tiruneveli districts and other coastal areas stayed away from the sea as a mark of respect to the victims. In the coastal districts, tens and hundreds of people, including wailing women, showered flowers into the sea as a mark of remembrance of those who perished in the tragedy.
Reports from Cuddalore, Kanniyakumari Kancheepuram and the worst-affected Nagapattinam said special prayers were held and candles were lit at the memorial to pay respects to the victims. Silent processions involving school students were also taken to mark the occasion. In Chennai, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar paid tributes to the victims while Handloom Minister O S Manian paid tributes at Nagapattinam.
A novel depiction of sea mermaid created at Nagapattinam on the anniversary of the disaster
Special prayers and floral tributes besides remembering the loved ones by pouring milk into the sea marked the day, even as many recalled that fateful day on December 26 when tidal waves swept away their loved ones along the coast. Women poured milk into the sea as a mark of respect to the departed ones while candle light and floral tributes were paid by people for their relatives who were consumed by the sea. While many remembered their surviving the ordeal, others recalled how the waves swept away their close relatives.
At Nagapattinam, when the clock struck 9:17 am, people rose to observe a minute’s silence to pay homage to the persons who lost their lives in the tsunami. Collector S Pazhanisamy and other officials participated in silent marches, candle processions and paid floral tributes. At Vailankanni, a special mass was conducted at the Shrine Basillica in memory of the tsunami victims.
A silent procession was also held. At Nagore, tributes were paid to those who were buried in the land owned by the Dargah. The graveyard of the dargah of Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hameed Quadir Wali at Nagore, which is more than 500 years old, witnessed mass burials 12 years ago. Memorials were also held in neighbouring Karaikal.
Puducherry Agriculture Minister Kamalakannan, Karaikal Collector P Parthiban and other officials paid floral tributes at Nandalar memorial. Puducherry Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department organised a function at the Gandhi thidal on the beach road. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy, DMK South Convenor R Siva, MLA, and National Fishworkers Forum chairperson M Illango paid floral tributes to the deceased.
AIADMK legislator Anbazhagan took part at a function held in Sonampalayam. In Thoothukudi fishermen along with their families paid respect to the victims of the disaster. At a function at Tirespuram fishing hamlet, they lit candles and observed silence.
Thoothukudi fishermen and their children light candles for the victims
NFF reminds Pondy CM of promised memorial
National Fishworkers Forum chairperson M Illango in a memorandum to Chief Minister V Narayanasamy urged him to construct a memorial for the tsunami victims on the beach road in front of the old court complex in Puducherry. In his memorandum, he pointed out that five years back, when V Vaithiligam was the Chief Minister, NFF had put forth this demand and it was accepted. Narayanasamy had agreed to release Rs 5 lakh from his MP Area Development Fund. Besides the Bharathiyar Palkalai Koodam students started to design the memorial stone. However, after the elections, the Rangasamy government kept the proposal pending, he said. Illango requested the present Congress government to erect the memorial with the names of those who perished in the tsunami carved on it.
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