Not losing hope; Fisherfolk of Thiruvananthapuram still long for their kins retreat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mariamma has not lost hope. Even five-days after cyclone Ockhi lashed the coast,  she strongly believes her son-in-law and nephew will come back home. On November 29, they both along with five others had sailed from Vizhinjam. Just like Mariamma, many mothers, grandmothers, wives, fathers, daughters and sons can be seen looking longingly out to the sea at the old St Mary’s Church near the beach.

“We know that all our brothers are safe. Though five-days have gone by, we still hope they will come back,” Mariamma told Express. Expressing his firm belief in the mercy of the Sea Goddess, Jerome, whose son-in-law had ventured to sea on Thursday, said, “We are all sons of the sea. She will never abandon us. Everyone who had gone out will come back. We will wait here till they all come back.”
Jerome and Mariamma are among the hundreds who have been camping in front of the church for the past four days. 

Many of them have been keeping a vigil at the church for the safe return of their dear ones.
Meanwhile, some others could be seen to be glued to the TV sets and each time the news of some fishermen being rescued comes their hopes flare up anew. They are anxiously awaiting news from the authorities.

Even as the women could be seen praying both inside and outside the church, many lined up at the beach their eyes scanning the horizon for the missing boats. Everyone in Vizhinjam are fervently hoping for the best.David, whose 22-year-old son went out to the sea on November 30, recalls his days when the tsunami struck the coast. He was stranded in the sea for about three days. “I could return home only after four days. And only four days have gone by. So I know he will be back,” he said. However, many could be seen rushing to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College where the bodies of some fishermen have been kept. These bodies are yet to be identified.