Date:27/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/27/stories/2005012712000300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Guru visits tsunami-hit Srinivasapuram

By Our Staff Reporter

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar interacts with the tsunami victims at Srinivasapuram, Foreshore Estate, on Wednesday. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI, JAN. 26. For the residents of Srinivasapuram, affected by the last month's tsunami, the visit of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was just the balm they needed. The Republic Day celebrations just a few kilometres away had little impact on the residents who waited for the guru.

His Art of Living Foundation, a non-government organisation, distributed rice and dal to the tsunami victims.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that during his visit to affected areas in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, he had noticed that places of worship had withstood nature's fury, and asked people to be brave. Some 250 persons in the hamlet have been trained in yoga and meditation.

A few have found jobs with the help of the foundation, Shankar, a graduate student, said.

The guru inaugurated a Rs. 2-crore orphanage built and funded by the Punjab Association at Vanianchavadi near Kelambakkam. The orphanage will house destitute children and old women.

School kits distributed

Asha Nivas distributed uniforms and educational materials on Monday at Santhome Cathedral.

About 1,060 children will receive the school kits from Dr. Lawrance Pius, Archdiocesan Administrator of Madras-Mylapore diocese.

Minda Bal Gram, a Delhi-based children's home, also distributed relief materials, including food to 234 families in Tiruvumalai Nagar, Pettaih in Pulicat region. Stationery, uniforms and biscuits were distributed to 114 children in Korai Kuppam in Pulicat. World Vision India plans to offer three different packages for tsunami victims in Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Kalpakkam.