Our Nalamdana team were touring the Tsunami affected areas early 2005 and this meant contacting some of the wonderful NGO groups helping in these coastal transit camps , to help them and address key issues through staging our drama specially created to communities huddled in crowded temporary relief camps.
Some unforgettable stories were told to us.Some heart rending, some sad some happy. and mostly very very moving. I thought I should pen down some of them and share with friends.You could also visit our www.nalamdana.in site and view the vidwo- on the "Nambikkai Project"- as this was called.
Near Kalpakkam-
a fishing village where we staged our drama- a group of people ponited to a dilapitated structure some distance off in the sands. It had once been a church. "When the wave came,( they said) we all ran for our lives. Some ran to the church- imploring the Father to save them.The priest let them all into the church, women and children in large numbers. Bolted the door and thought God would save them. Even as he stood guard, the second and third wave came- sweeping, he was washed away- but escaped alive.All the people inside , unable to get out, died." We were aghast. What made him do that? why did he lock them inside? Is this true- what happened to the Priest? These were all our Qs.
The poor man is still alive but has lost his mind. he roams around here- ...........
Near Cuddalore-(happy ending..read on...:-))
Another fishing village- another bunch of people, another set of stories- all true.
The women and men stood around us, chatting, some recalling their escape. Some of them said-
We ran to the high ECR road- trying to escape.The waters swirled around us. May were swept away. One father tried to save his infant baby-passed him over his head- to someone able to run..the baby got passed on over several hands and ultimately ended up alive and well in a local hospital- where survivers were treated. After some weeks the parents- both alive- found each other and were searching all local hospitals and village clinics..they arrived in this one- and lo- found their baby alive and well.What a celebration! Everyone joined in relief..and of course the baby was renamed- "tsunami".
I have some more stories too..will try to search my notes and continue!
Sorry no sketches this time....maybe I will do some later and add them.
Some unforgettable stories were told to us.Some heart rending, some sad some happy. and mostly very very moving. I thought I should pen down some of them and share with friends.You could also visit our www.nalamdana.in site and view the vidwo- on the "Nambikkai Project"- as this was called.
Near Kalpakkam-
a fishing village where we staged our drama- a group of people ponited to a dilapitated structure some distance off in the sands. It had once been a church. "When the wave came,( they said) we all ran for our lives. Some ran to the church- imploring the Father to save them.The priest let them all into the church, women and children in large numbers. Bolted the door and thought God would save them. Even as he stood guard, the second and third wave came- sweeping, he was washed away- but escaped alive.All the people inside , unable to get out, died." We were aghast. What made him do that? why did he lock them inside? Is this true- what happened to the Priest? These were all our Qs.
The poor man is still alive but has lost his mind. he roams around here- ...........
Near Cuddalore-(happy ending..read on...:-))
Another fishing village- another bunch of people, another set of stories- all true.
The women and men stood around us, chatting, some recalling their escape. Some of them said-
We ran to the high ECR road- trying to escape.The waters swirled around us. May were swept away. One father tried to save his infant baby-passed him over his head- to someone able to run..the baby got passed on over several hands and ultimately ended up alive and well in a local hospital- where survivers were treated. After some weeks the parents- both alive- found each other and were searching all local hospitals and village clinics..they arrived in this one- and lo- found their baby alive and well.What a celebration! Everyone joined in relief..and of course the baby was renamed- "tsunami".
I have some more stories too..will try to search my notes and continue!
Sorry no sketches this time....maybe I will do some later and add them.
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