Voices
I have been overwhelmed by the generous response of our people to efforts to raise funds for tsunami relief and rehabilitation. The flow of contributions to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund so far has been unprecedented. These funds have helped in providing relief and succour to the victims of the disaster. Our Government is committed to rebuilding lives and livelihoods and offering a new ray of hope to the survivors of this disaster.
Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister
At first it seemed a terrible disaster, a terrible tragedy. But I think as the days have gone on, people have recognised it as a global catastrophe.
Tony Blair
British Prime Minister
While the plane was making its descent, I had had a panoramic, if blurred, view of the island. I saw to my surprise that many thick stands of coconut palms were still standing, even on the edge of the water. All trace of habitation, on the other hand, had been obliterated: the foundations of many buildings could be clearly seen. But of the structures they had once supported, nothing remained.
Amitav Ghosh
Author
On this first day of a new year, we join the world in feeling enormous sadness over a great human tragedy... The carnage is of a scale that defies comprehension.
George W. Bush
President
United States
We were at home watching TV. Suddenly, we heard screaming, sounds of pure terror. We ran outside to see what had happened. Men and women were running — bleeding and injured, holding children to their chests. At first I thought it was a clash between two groups in the village, because of the village committee elections, and then I saw the wave. By then, the water was everywhere and we could not count the bodies.
A. Aloysius
Village Councillor Kanyakumari
I have been just married for a week and been spending our honeymoon in Bentota, Sri Lanka. Sharon (my wife) went down to the beach this morning to sunbathe and I have not seen her since. All I saw was a big wall of water coming down on the place where her sun bed was. She was probably fast asleep. I'm absolutely devastated.
Ben
British national
Sri Lanka
TSUNAMI A YEAR AFTER
