INDIA: First Home for the Tsunami-Affected Aged To Open Soon

CUDDALORE (NDTV.com), May 19, 2006: The first home for the aged for tsunami survivors will soon be in place in the Cuddalore district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a groundbreaking move that could bring smiles to hundreds of old destitute in the tsunami hit Cuddalore who lost their near and dear ones to the tragic incident. Since the incident, the old people have been living in fear, as there is nobody to look after them in their old age. But now there is hope since the exclusive self reliant home for the aged will soon come up at a sprawling six and a half acre area Tamarai Kulam village at the cost of Rs Thirty Million (Three Crore). The old are looking forward to their new home. "We have lost every member in our family. And this home for the aged will not only provide us good food and wipe our tears in our final days, but we can also rightfully claim our share of tender coconuts to quench our thirst. We nurture so many coconut trees," said a woman. "We will remember all our life everyone who contributed for this project," said another. Moved by the large-scale destruction to life and property by the tsunami, NDTV viewers had contributed generously. In association with Helpage India, the village has been named after many people who made it possible. "Among the fishermen, the older people really need a lot of support because when the fishermen go out into the sea, old people who do not have any relations to look after them, are really destitute. So, this is a great opportunity for the old people in this district," said Gagandep Singh Bedi, Collector, Cuddalore. The old people who survived the tsunami remained a neglected lot, but now every brick of the old-age home, will now give them a new joy by which they can celebrate ageing. By Sam Daniel