SourceNAGAPATTINAM, TAMIL NADU, INDIA, Januayr 4, 2005: Barefooted Maria Selvan, 63, walks aimlessly along the shores sobbing and recollecting the moments before and after the gigantic wall of water came crashing down over him. At times he beats his chest in despair and then goes silent. Then he points a finger to a piece of flattened land where his house…
Religion Today SummariesCANADA, January 7, 2004: HPI note: The following item appeared in today’s Religion Today Summaries published by Crosswalk.com, a Christian evangelical organization. It reads: “The president of Gospel for Asia says the devastating earthquake and tidal wave that hit South Asian countries should make every true believer focus on evangelism. Indonesia was hardest hit, reporting nearly 100,000 deaths.…
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…