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Clinton meets tsunami survivors
27/05/2005 18:03 - (SA)
Nagapattinam - Former United States president Bill Clinton made an aerial survey of the tsunami-ravaged southern Indian coast on Friday and heard gritty stories of survival - and rehabilitation - in impoverished communities devastated by last year's tsunami.
K Parameshwaran after meeting Clinton in Nagapattinam district said: "He told us he can never forget our stories."
Parameshwaran and his wife lost their three children and seven relatives to the deadly waves.
Clinton, who arrived in India on Wednesday, boarded a helicopter in the southern city of Madras and flew 300km south over a coastline ravaged by the December 26 tsunami to meet farmers and fisherfolk in Nagapattinam.
Victim wants to be a policeman
Dressed casually in a saffron T-shirt, beige trousers and brown shoes, he braved the sweltering heat to mingle with survivors.
He advised K Nirmala, a 15-year-old orphan whose home was destroyed in the disaster, not to give up on her studies. Nirmala told him she wanted to become a policewoman.
Nagapattinam was the Indian region worst-hit by the tsunami, with 6 065 people killed and 791 listed as missing, but presumed dead.
At least 2.7 million people were affected by the disaster, which killed 10 749 people in India. Another 5 640 people were listed as missing, but were presumed dead.
Clinton, who was a United Nations special envoy for post-tsunami reconstruction, also met female entrepreneurs in Akkarappettai village who sold handicrafts for a living.
Women earn money by making bricks
The tsunami destroyed the fishing boats in their community - previously the source of their families' income - so the women in the village formed collectives to earn money by making bricks, terra-cotta products and other crafts.
J Radhakrishnan, the top revenue official in Nagapattinam district said: "His visit will help us get strong attention to tackle permanent livelihood issues for these people."
Radhakrishnan said the focus of Clinton's visit was to assess progress made in providing temporary shelters for survivors.
Clinton was also scheduled to inaugurate a government project to put tsunami-related data online and would watch a presentation by local officials on rehabilitation efforts.
Clinton would fly back to Madras on Sunday before departing for neighbouring Sri Lanka.
- AP
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