Tsunami Survivors

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Nagapattinam fishermen bemoan Govt apathy

      Nagore (Tamil Nadu): Fishermen of a small hamlet in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district are still fighting for survival, days after the tsunami waves destroyed the coastal village. Though the Central and state authorities have promised billions of rupees worth relief for the victims, the survivors say help is yet to percolate down to the needy. Victims bemoan government apathy saying the local authorities provided them with just 20,000 rupees whereas their boats and nets that went down in the sea cost ten times the amount. "We have worked all through our lives but now we are sitting idle because we do not have our boats. We should be provided boats, catamarans, and fishing nets as soon as possible. It will enable us to come out of depression and the frustration we are going through. All this makes us think more of the tragedy which has struck the lives of elders and children," said Manmadhasamy, a local. "The situation is the same as it was on the 26th December when the tsunami struck. The damaged boats, catamarans and the fishing nets and the government has not responded to it. Mata Amritanandamayi is the only person who is raising our spirits," said Murugan, another local.
- Feb 14, 2005

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