The 16th anniversary of Tsunami-the giant killer waves that struck several coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and claimed many lives were observed in parts of Kanniyakumari and Thoothukudi on Saturday.
Fishermen shower petals at Threspuram in Thoothukudi on Saturday to mark the anniversary of Tsunami
Madurai:
Candlelit prayers were offered at churches and several fisher folks got access to seashores and showered petals in memory of those lives lost during Tsunami. Fishermen abstained from fishing on Saturday. Scores of people and children took out silent processions to mark the occasion.
In Kanniyakumari, the coastal village of Kottilpadu was the worst-hit area, whereas many as 199 fisher folks were killed. A silent procession led by Fr Churchill, general secretary, South Asian Fishermen Fraternity, Kanyakumari was taken out from Tsunami colony at Kottilpadu to the graveyard where the bodies were buried en masse.
Kottilpadu Parish priest Raj flagged off the procession, which culminated at St. Alex Church, where prayer service was conducted for the departed souls to rest in peace.
The mourners later paid tributes at Tsunami memorial tomb behind the church.
Public, politicians pay homage
Political party representatives of ruling AIADMK, DMK and other political party members on Saturday along with public paid homage to 2004 Tsunami victims by participating in candlelight mourning along the shores of Marina. Local public also participated and special prayers were conducted for departed souls. AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran in a detailed statement demanded a specially dedicated team headed by IAS officer to address the issues about fishermen and their families hit by 2004 Tsunami. It has been 16 years since the Tsunami struck Tamil Nadu adversely affecting the lives and livelihood of TN fishermen. Though the state has taken up several schemes to rehabilitate the Tsunami survivors the quality of life affected is still in a bad shape. The state government should form a dedicated official team headed by IAS officer to look into the welfare of fishermen affected by the deadly Tsunami waves, Dhinakaran said.
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