Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Homes unveiled for the tsunami-affected

Staff Reporter

Project sponsored by Action Aid India, Arunodhaya

NEW BEGINNING: S. Selvi, a resident of the tsunami-affected Indira Gandhi kuppam in Ennore, boils milk at her new home on Wednesday. — Photo: M. Vedhan

Chennai: Turmeric yellow and vermilion markings framed by intricate kolams adorned the doorsteps of new homes built in Indira Gandhi kuppam, a tsunami-affected hamlet in Ennore.

When Fisheries Minister K.P.P. Sami entered one of the homes, he was greeted with a glass of milk to mark the housewarming ceremony on Wednesday.

Residents burst firecrackers to celebrate the new houses, sponsored by non-governmental organisations Action Aid India and Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children. Mr. Sami urged the residents to participate in the State government's welfare schemes for fisher families.

Women in self-help groups should avail themselves of loans to start their own micro enterprises. Livelihood improvement schemes would be offered to the tsunami-affected, he said.

About 50 families of Indira Gandhi kuppam had lost their homes in the tsunami. Arunodhaya offered help in purchasing new fishing equipment and boats. The NGO also promised to construct shelters suited to the needs of the community.

"Some of the families wanted slab roofing while some wanted sheet roofing. Two families decided they would have a combined housing unit as it would give them more space," said Virgil D' Sami, Executive Director of Arunodhaya.

The Centre for Workers Movement helped with low-cost construction. Each house costs about Rs. 1.2 lakh. The next step is to build a community toilet for the families.

Tiruvottiyur Municipality Chairman R. Jeyaraman and Action Aid India representatives participated in the programme.

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