The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : At Kanathur, a tsunami-hit community gets back on its feet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 27, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

At Kanathur, a tsunami-hit community gets back on its feet

Special Correspondent

Teamwork and sincerity resulted in "successful outcomes" The Collector gave away cycles to children and youth of the kuppam

ROTARY'S EFFORTS: Benjamin Cherian, Chairman of Rotary's Tsunami Relief Committee (right), explains the organisation's work to (from left) N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu , R. Venkatesan, Kancheepuram Collector and P.C. Thomas, chairman, Rotary International, South Asia solidarity fund, on Monday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: At a small function organised at Kanathur Reddy Kuppam, just a few minutes past the Toll Plaza on East Coast Road, a community rejoiced as several benefactors, led by Rotary International, helped it start a new innings after last year's tsunami.

Unveiling a plaque to dedicate the newly built infrastructure to the community, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu , said the success of the Kanathur Rotary Project highlighted the successful partnership between the Government and the Rotary clubs. Teamwork, sincerity, and intelligent and speedy action by the people involved had resulted in "successful outcomes" at Kanathur.

Mr. Ram said he was participating in the function on behalf of Sakaal, a Pune-based Marathi newspaper, headed by Pratap Pawar. The organisation had offered part of its contribution of Rs. one crore to Tamil Nadu. Mr. Ram praised Benjamin Cherian, chairman, Rotary International District 3230 Tsunami Relief Committee and his team for their work, especially their integrity and honesty in channelising the donations towards helping the tsunami-affected.

`True heroes'

Mr. Ram also called the survivors of the tsunami, mostly fishermen and their families, `true heroes' in recognition of their courage and self-confidence in the face of adversity.

R. Venkatesan, Kancheepuram Collector, hailed Rotary's unstinting efforts to helping re-build Kanathur Reddy Kuppam. Following the tsunami, many of the affected coastal habitations have had a new lease of life thanks to the joint efforts of the Government, NGOs and the community, he said. Houses had been built and boats distributed thanks to State and NGO assistance. Mr. Venkatesan said the village of Kanathur Reddy Kuppam was perhaps a little more fortunate than its neighbours because of the special efforts put in by Rotary Foundation.

The Collector gave away cycles, donated by the Rotary Clubs in Australia, to children and youth of the kuppam.

Mr. Cherian said that soon after the tsunami, Rotary had rushed relief materials to the affected areas.

The organisation also set up a tsunami relief committee to execute relief works and facilitate long-term rehabilitation measures. At Kanathur, in addition to the community centre, provisions had been made for a school, a library, a park, temple, gymnasium and a primary health centre.

Other Rotary projects are under way in Suleri Kattukuppam, Pulicat, Kadapakkam, Alambari and Thandumariamman Kuppam, he added. Mr. Cherian thanked the Government for its support, and Sakaal, GE Foundation and other donors for generously contributing towards rehabilitation.

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