While several houses were decked with cribs and illuminated colourfully heralding Christmas, the festival marking the birth of Jesus Christ, a crib set up at a drawing master’s house in Tuticorin appeals to all people.
Apart from the nativity scene of Jesus Christ, the crib depicts the floods that ravaged Chennai and the humanitarian aid that poured in from people crossing barriers of caste and religion.
N. Isidor Fernando, drawing master of La Salle Higher Secondary School here, who designed the crib, told The Hindu on Tuesday that Christmas was a time to share with all passion for humanitarian service.
The images drawn in the backdrop of the crib brought to life the survival ordeal of the flood victims who saved themselves by moving to the terrace of their houses and other high-rise buildings.
Besides, rescue operation by boats and problems caused by the floods had been conveyed.
The crib also projected the disheartening picture of cattle loss in the floods.
The theme-based Christmas crib highlighted the humanitarian service that significantly benefitted the larger community.
The volunteers, who rescued flood victims, provided them food and shelter, and played an exemplary role in building goodwill.
Scenes of relief operations in the aftermath of the floods were also touching, he also said.
Mr. Fernando said that until November end his plan for crib design was former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s desire for the youth to dream towards achieving their goal.
Change in theme
But, the devastating floods in Chennai and Cuddalore urged the need for the change in theme.
The images of flood-hit people and their miseries that featured in newspapers were cut and pasted on thermocol sheets to enrich the crib, Mr. Isidor Fernando said.
