THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This
Christmas in the wake of
Ockhi cyclone which claimed 70 lives in
Kerala, the grief-struck fishermen community have sought the State government to stall the official Christmas fete across the state. Terming it `Ockhi Christmas', the fishermen plan to offer a tribute to the lives lost in the disaster with a `candle light vigil’ along the beach sands of the shores.
The candle light vigil by will be held by the rescued fishermen at Shankumukham beach in the state capital on Dec 25 at 6 pm.
While the officials at the Chief Minister’s office confirmed that there are no official celebrations in the state this Christmas after the cyclone, yet stray incidents of celebrations at beaches for tourism promotion by District Tourism Promotion Council (DRPC) may be held.
A Central team is expected to visit Kerala on Dec 26 to assess the extent of damage due to
Ockhi
in the state.
“There will be no government-led official Christmas celebrations in the state this year after Ockhi cyclone, minor celebrations to attract tourists along beach sands by DTPC will be held. Though, DRPC forms part of the government, such celebrations cannot be ruled out. The state government plans to offer a package to the identified 212 Ockhi affected fishermen families in the state during this Christmas New Year eve. It includes distribution of rice and other provisions with Rs 10, 000,” Officials at the Chief Minister’s office told TOI.
In addition, Manaveeyam street cultural collective (MSCC), an independent organisation in support of the State Disaster Management operations, plans to distribute Rice and Green gram to the Ockhi affected in a mobile van on Dec 24 at 24. It will form part of their Snehasparsham project which the MSCC had created to support Ockhi affected with the donation from its 100 members. It is planned to distribute 1000 kg rice and green gram to the Ockhi affected. The vehicle starting from Manaveeyam road will cover Vizhinjam, Kottapuram and Adimalathura areas, MSCC secretary KG Suraj said.
While the fishermen community led by its
National Fish workers Forum
general secretary T Peter told TOI that the state government should stop all official Christmas celebrations in the state with government funds. “We have sought the state government to stop spending government money for official Christmas celebration along the beach sands when the fishermen are grieving. Instead the state should set aside that fund for Ockhi disaster relief,” he said. Kerala Independent Fish Workers Federation secretary Anto Eliyas too has sought the state to end official Christmas celebrations in the state. They have also sought the state to strengthen the search operations when over 90 fishermen are still missing.
Officials at Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) told TOI that the Central team led by Disaster management division of Home Affairs department additional secretary Bipin Mallick will visit for statutory assessment of disaster ockhi in the state on Dec 26. “The Central team visit is based on the memorandum submitted to the Centre for additional disaster relief assistance of Rs 422 crore submitted by Kerala as part of National Disaster Relief Funds (NDRF). This is in addition to the Rs 7000 crore Ockhi relief package submitted by Kerala to the centre,” the KSDMA official said.
Meanwhile, KSDMA, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and
Indian Meteorological Department
(IMD) have alerted Kerala fishermen to be cautious while venturing into the sea due to high waves and strong winds. High waves in the range of 3 to 3.1 metres (above 10 feet) are forecast from 5.30 pm on Dec 23 to 11.30 pm on Dec 25 along Kerala coast. It has also warned of strong winds from the north easterly and easterly direction in the range of 45 to 55 kmph along Kerala coast.
Responding to that, the fishermen said such alerts have raised panic among fishermen, it hits their livelihood and daily bread. Instead, a separate fund by these agencies could be created to support fishermen, Peter said.
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