A prayer for tsunami victims (The Hindu)

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http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/27/stories/2005122712780400.htm

 

A prayer for tsunami victims

 

Staff Reporter

 

KOLLAM: A solemn function at Alapad on Monday marked

the observation of the first anniversary of the

tsunami devastation of Alapad. The function was

organised by the Alapad Grama Panchayat. The

ceremonies began with a dawn-to-dusk fast in memory of

those killed by the killer waves.

 

At 9 a.m., people from all walks of life gathered at

the "Smrithi Theeram," the spot where the majority of

those killed were cremated, to pay floral tributes. An

all-religion prayer meeting was organised on the

occasion.

 

The lighting of the "Smrithi Deepam'' at the

"Kadalamma Kaninjaalum'' mineral sand sculpture was

performed by Leader of the Opposition V.S.

Achuthanandan at 6 p.m. The sculpture will be

preserved for two years.

 

In his address, Mr. Achuthanandan said that said that

the memory of those killed in the tsunami devastation

should always remain alive in the minds of people of

Alapad. The lights lighted in memory of those killed

should kindle the hearts of all to remember the

brothers, sisters and children killed on that day.

 

The function was attended by Kollam Bishop Stanley

Roman; Karunagapally MLA A.N. Rajan Babu; Rajya Sabha

Member N.K. Premachandran; district panchayat

president K. Devaki and District Collector B.

Sreenivas.

 

In memory of those killed, the panchayat committee

will not organise any function on Tuesday. On

Wednesday, all the residents of Alapad will be joining

a "prarthana deepamala" ritual by lighting traditional

lamps on a stretch of 17.5 km from Velanathuruthu to

Azheekal. The lamps will be lit at 6.15 p.m.

 

The Matha Amritanandamayi Math also organised a

programme in memory of those killed by the tsunami at

Alapad.

 

At dusk, the inmates of the ashramam lined on both

sides of the road from the Math to the Smrithi Theeram

holding lamps. Matha Amritanandamayi then walked the

distance from the Math to the Smrithi Theeram and

prayed for those who were killed. She then planted a

sapling in their memory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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