SourceCHIDAMBARAM, TAMIL NADU, INDIA, January 7, 2004: While thousands lost their lives in the Cuddalore coast to Tsunami, close to 4,000 fishermen belonging to some 20 villages like Killai, Pichavaram, Kavarapattu neighboring the Chidambaram region escaped. They had left their villages to attend the annual ritual of “Ardra Darshan” at the world famous Siva Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram. As has…
SourceBATTICALOA, SRI LANKA, January 6, 2004: Patrick Harrigan of the Kataragama Pada Yatra organization in Sri Lanka has posted photos of the devastation in Batticaloa. He writes, “Just now I am uploading files to the Kataragama Pada Yatra web site (“source”) taken today south of Batticaloa. I was anxious to see the condition of the Kalladi Tiruchendur Murugan Temple. The…
SourceKAUAI, HAWAII, January 6, 2004: The Wikipedia is a free on-line encyclopedia that anyone can add to or edit. It carries what is probably the most information-rich web page on the tsunami at “source” above. It includes sites to view astounding video footage of the tsunami.
SourceWASHINGTON, D.C., January 6, 2004: American taxpayers making donations this month to aid the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami will be able to claim deductions on their 2004 tax returns under legislation passed by Congress Thursday. The bill sent to President Bush was aimed at encouraging private donations to the tsunami relief effort. Under current law, taxpayers would have…
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, January 5, 2005: In the 17th Century, 14 Indian women from Daman, Surat and Pondicherry set foot on a speck in the Indian Ocean called Reunion. Four centuries later, their descendants have returned to India to trace their roots before they participate at the third annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas for non-resident Indians. A tiny island in the Indian…
SourceKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 3, 2005: This press release from Datuk A. Vaithilingam, president of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, reads: “I have great pleasure in informing that 6 medical doctors are leaving for Sri Lanka this week to assist more in disasters especially in the east and north-east of Sri Lanka. Three doctors with four other assistants are leaving on…
SourceSRI LANKA, January 5, 2005: (HPI note: A series of reports have appeared regarding the relief efforts in Sri Lanka, not all painting the same picture. We start with the most recent.) In a sudden move, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces are manning the refugee camps in Amparai, Batticaloa and Trincomalee since Tuesday. The Special Task Force (STF) in Thirukovil,…
SourceKILINOCHCHI, SRI LANKA, January 2, 2005: Veterans of a long guerrilla war, the Tamil rebels who control northern Sri Lanka moved with military precision to help victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. The speed and efficiency of the massive humanitarian operation showed an administrative capability that underscored the rebels’ demand for Tamil independence from the Sinhalese-dominated southern part of Sri…
SourceUTHUKADY JUNCTION, SRI LANKA, January 3, 2005: The Tidal Wave Task Force headquarters here is not much to look at, but what is happening inside is extraordinary. Inside a crumbling, bullet-ridden building in rebel territory in northern Sri Lanka, low-level representatives of the country’s government and Tamil Tigers rebels – mortal enemies in a brutal civil war – are sitting…
SourceTHAILAND, January 2, 2005: Agitated elephants felt the tsunami coming, and their sensitivity saved about a dozen foreign tourists from the fate of thousands killed by the giant waves. “I was surprised because the elephants had never cried before,” mahout Dang Salangam said on Sunday on Khao Lak beach at the eight-elephant business offering rides to tourists. The elephants started…