Kerala   

From Japan, on Hiroshima Day

Staff Reporter

Peace Boat activists call at Kochi; 80-year-old recalls the tragedy

SOAKING IN KERALA: Members of a Japanese team enjoying an elephant ride after participating in a Hiroshima Day function in Kochi on Sunday. — PTI

KOCHI: On the anniversary of the 1945 Hiroshima bombing on Sunday, Peace Boat activists, who are on a mission to build peace across the world, arrived here aboard the ship TSS Topang.

The vessel sailed in carrying 935 passengers in the morning. Peace Boat is a Japan-based international non-governmental organisation working to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment.

The Kochi visit coincides with the 61st anniversary of the U.S. dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Amano, now 80 years old, who was among the survivors, was a member of the Peace Boat.

At a function organised in Toc-H Public School, she spoke briefly of how vividly she remembered the tragic day.

"It is hard for me to forget it," she said.

The guests, many of whom were children, were taken around on an elephant. They expressed happiness at the opportunity given to visit different parts of the State. Later, some of them had a friendly football match with youth at the Parade Ground, Fort Kochi. The activists will leave for Africa on Monday night.

A 60-member group found time to visit schools in the city suburbs. The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad and the grama panchayat organised a water-testing camp at St. George's High School, Vennikulam, to detect the chemical content in well water. The activists sang a few Japanese songs. At St. Philomena's High School, Tiruvaniyoor, they participated in training programmes organised for Kudumbasree activists. Later, they observed children engaged in toy-making at St. John's High School, Kanniyatnirappu.

At Kuzhiyara, they witnessed the proceedings of the grama sabha. The guests were given a lecture on the functioning of local bodies.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Mullaperiyar: political solution mooted
Making vocational education a popular career choice
Freeze on SHRC hits filing of rights cases
Of the pangs of separation
DIC(K) to pursue a policy of equidistance from fronts
State to set up tourism investment promotion cell
From Japan, on Hiroshima Day
Kodiyeri promises steps to fill vacancies in police
Doctors plan stir on August 30
UDF seeks consensus on admission row
AITUC seeks action plan for industries
Usual story of revenge
Preserving a tradition
Unflagging enthusiasm
Seeking peace
Say it with cards
Against war
Briefly

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu