The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : He lost five members of his family during the tsunami

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

He lost five members of his family during the tsunami

Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI: Tears fill the eyes of M. Samsudeen (57) of Khajamalai in the city at the very mention of the word ‘tsunami.’

Every day has been a nightmare for Mr. Samsudeen ever since giant waves swept five members of his family, including his only son, on the shores of Nagore on the fateful morning of December 26, 2004. His wife Balkiesbe (50), son Khaja Hussein (22), daughter Rehna (26) grand daughter Shamim Banu (8), and his elder brother Ahmed Kabir (70), perished in the watery grave.

He keeps ruing that his near and dear ones could have evaded the disaster had they not made light of his caution not to venture near the shore. They had left Tiruchi on the previous day in the new autorickshaw that his son-in-law Mehboob (32) had purchased to get the vehicle sanctified at the Nagore Dargah. In fact, Mr. Samsudeen had declined to join them, but had insisted that they avoid visiting the shore fearing the safety of his playful granddaughter.

While on the way to the shore in the auto on the next morning, their well-wishers who were on their way back had advised them to return since the sea was turbulent. But they did not pay heed even then. After spending some time in the shore, they were about to return. But the auto had a starting problem. According to Mehboob, who was witness to the tragedy, it was Balkeisbe who first saw a huge wave of water behind them. In a matter of moments, the occupants of the auto were swept away in the water one after another. Mehboob escaped clinging to a tree.

After leading a listless life for over a year, Mr. Samsudeen performed Haj praying that his life culminate at Makkah. But, death eluded him even as hundreds around him died due to stampede. Only after that did Mr. Samsudeen make up his mind to live. A month later, he married again, deciding to infuse meaning into the life of a 42-year-old women whose only child had died and who was abandoned by her husband.

Mr. Samsudeen has lost interest in pursuing the case of a job he lost with Cooptex a decade ago, and is surviving with the compensation that the Central and State Governments provided for the deaths of his wife and son.

But, he still keeps running from pillar to post to obtain the compensation for the death of his elder brother, who was also listed as a member of the family in the ration card.

His solace is the support he receives from his other daughter Asha and her family residing close by at K.K. Nagar.

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