Fishermen, along with their family members, from across Kanyakumari district celebrated Christmas mid-sea on Thursday.
The celebrations were arranged by various organisations working for the welfare of fishermen, including the South Asian Fishermen Fraternity (SAFF) and the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Mahalir Peravai.
Fishermen from Colachel ventured into sea along with their family members in about 110 mechanised boats and 450 catamarans (vallam) for celebrating Christmas, said Fr. Churchil, general secretary, SAFF.
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They moved into the sea at 10 a.m., celebrated the festival mid-sea and returned to the shore around 2 p.m.
The celebrations were organised about 10 nautical miles from the shore .
B. Thangasami, Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), Kanyakumari district, participated in the celebrations. Though the fishermen used to celebrate the festival enthusiastically, the number of fishermen joining the collective celebrations has come down after the 2004 tsunami.
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Families of the fishermen were doubly delighted as 96 fishermen had escaped from the British Navy a few days ago and over 25 fishermen captured earlier were also released.
Almost all families cut the cake mid-sea.
The boats were colourfully decorated.
The fishermen exchanged greetings and sweets. “SAFF was in the forefront in organising these kinds of social gatherings as it enhances camaraderie and goodwill among the fishermen. Sea is the source of livelihood for the fishermen. Hence, it is appropriate to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ mid-sea,’’ Fr. Churchil said.
M. Leema Rose, president, Tamil Nadu Meenavar Mahalir Peravai, participated in the celebrations.