Date:22/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/22/stories/2005042214630400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Karunalaya gifts fibreglass boats to fishermen

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: On Thursday evening, men and women from fishermen's self-help groups near Kasimedu fishing harbour ventured into the Bay of Bengal on new fibreglass boats gifted to them by Karunalaya, a non-government organisation. These fisherfolk were among those affected by the December tsunami.

Flagging of the 10 boats, the Collector of Chennai, S. Chandra Mohan, said the gifts showed that people were ready to act following a calamity. "While the Tamil Nadu Government has helped 44,000 families, there are still thousands of petitions pending. The Government is going through the petitions and taking steps to redress the grievances."

He gave away certificates to the Pudumai Pengal, Sembarutti and Kurinji women SHGs and the Rajiv Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Annai Indira Gandhi, Jeevarathinam, Tiruvalluvar and Annai Kasturibai men SHGs.

S. John Bosco, president, Karunalaya, said the institution was founded 10 years ago and serving the fishing community of the area since then.

The members of SHGs, Noorjahan, Magi and Balasubramanium, expressed their views.

N. Paul Sunder Singh, director, Karunalaya, said that after identifying the tsunami survivors, a survey questionnaire was drafted to assess the damage in Kasimedu. The victims were divided into two categories — directly and indirectly affected families.

Following an appeal from Karunalaya, its funding partners, Cordaid, Stiching Karunalaya and Stiching Amaidhi in The Netherlands, extended support. Ten fibreglass boats were manufactured at Marakkanam, with engines and fishing nets.

The fibreglass boats are not totally free. The groups have taken it on a subsidy and the rest on loan.

They are distributed at 50 per cent subsidy and 50 per cent interest free loan payable in easy instalment by way of cheques to Karunalaya. The cost of one boat with all the accessories is Rs. 1,55,000.

K.M. Jose, director, Don Bosco Youth Centre, Broadway, Loes Wevers and Mijke Van Gijn, Dutch volunteers, also spoke.