Silent prayers, procession mark tsunami anniversary

Fishermen abstain from sea in memory of those perished

December 27, 2014 10:35 am | Updated November 17, 2021 11:06 am IST - PUDUCHERRY:

Fisher folk pour milk and shower flowers into the sea to mark the 10th anniversary of tsunami in Puducherry on Friday. Photo: S.S. Kumar

Fisher folk pour milk and shower flowers into the sea to mark the 10th anniversary of tsunami in Puducherry on Friday. Photo: S.S. Kumar

Silent prayers, procession and floral tributes marked the 10th anniversary of the tsunami, which struck Puducherry and Karaikal regions on December 26, 2004. Relatives of those who perished thronged beaches and offered floral tributes.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Speaker V. Sabapathy, Ministers T. Thiagarajan, and N.G. Pannirselvam offered floral tributes near the Gandhi statue on the Beach promenade.

A wreath was also placed at the memorial erected in Veerampattinam in memory of those who were killed while many poured milk in the sea and performed rituals.

Silent processions by political parties, National Fish Workers Forum (NFF) and civil society organisations also formed part of the anniversary in Puducherry. As a mark of respect, fishermen in several coastal hamlets did not venture into the sea.

In Karaikal, an enclave of the Union Territory which bore the brunt of the tsunami, fishermen took out processions in coastal villages and offered floral tributes at memorials. Several fishing hamlets also hoisted black flags in memory of the departed souls.

A number of voluntary organisations and also the Government of Maharashtra had constructed houses under the rehabilitation programmes in Veerampattinam and a few other coastal hamlets here and in Karaikal.

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