GIVE THEM A HAND

SEVA BHARATHI TAMILNADU

(A Registered Public Charitable Trust)
Admn office
No.1, M.V.Street, Panchavati, Chetpet,
Chennai – 600 031
Ph: 044-28361049, 28360243
email: sevabharathitn@rediffmail.com

SEVA BHARATHI – AN INTRODUCTION

Seva Bharathi is a socio-cultural organization carrying out its service activities based on the ideals propounded by great men like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Mahatma Gandhi, in order to bring out social integration and all round development of the nation. Its activities are spread over a span of more than 16 years since its inception in 1989 in all the 28 states and 7 union territories of India. There are more than 43,386 activities in all the 602 districts of the country.

Seva Bharathi Tamilnadu is doing various types of activities in the fields of Education, Health, Samskar (Cultural values), Economic Development, Village Development, Anbu Illams (Orphanages). It also has ample experience in undertaking relief and rehabilitation works after major calamities. The role of Seva Bharathi in the relief work undertaken immediately after the earth quakes of Latur & Osmanabad in Maharashtra, and Bhuj in Gujarat came in for international appreciation.

Activities of Seva Bharathi, Tamilnadu

The following activities are undertaken periodically.

TSUNAMI ATTACK IN TAMILNADU

The earth quake that hit the East Coast line on December 26, 2004 did extensive damage to many places of Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, Pondichery, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Kanniyakumari. Tremors were initially felt around 6.30 in the morning. But around 8.45 a.m., the sea water raised upto 10 mtrs. With terrific speed (800 km/hour) engulfing the huts, houses and people living in the coastal areas and also people who were walking on the coastal road and the children playing near the sea. Fishing boats, fishnets and catamarans were extensively damaged.

(Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Ramnathapuram, Pudukottai)

Impact of Tsunami on the Economy

Agriculture, fishing and tourism, which together constitute the backbone of the district's economy, have all been badly affected by the tsunami. Sea water entered agricultural lands and got logged for more than 3-4 days salinating the soil and the under ground water in these areas. With the beach sand also entering agricultural land in many places, it will be impossible to start farming activities in the near future, probably for the next two years. 1,26,626 hectatres of agriculture land has been damaged affecting the lives of 25,29,223 farmers.

It is believed that the Tsunami could have also killed several varieties of fish in the sea, making the condition of fishermen miserable. Most went into the sea for prawns, which fetched attractive prices in the international market.

The total damage to the property and resources of Tamil Nadu Tourism Department was around Rs five crore. The damage at the Chennai Port trust is estimated at Rs.12.6 crores.

The tidal waves that hit the shores on Sunday and the collision of ships due to these waves had brought in tonnes of sediment. Hence there is a need to study the variations in the sea bed, to restore full scale fishing.

RELIEF OPERATIONS OF SEVA BHARATHI

Within a couple of hours of the receipt of the information about the attack of Tsunami in the coastal district, volunteers of Seva Bharathi, swung into action spontaneously, without any formal request. Volunteers from various parts of the state started pouring in. On 26th, the day of the attack, the relief work was carried through out the night. All the deceased bodies were removed and disposed off in co-ordination with the Governmental relief team. Initially on 27th and 28th the concentration was mainly on identification of bodies and handing them over to their relatives. More than 2500 deceased bodies were removed and cremated with dignity and 115 were rescued alive. More than 3,300 volunteers actively participated in the relief works.

110 doctors gave medical aid to the affected people and 5 ambulances were operated for the medical relief work. To cater to the needs of the drinking water requirement of the town, a mineral plant with 20,000 liters capacity per day was installed in Nagapattinam. In 132 fishermen villages spread across Chennai and Nagapattinam, 16 th day religious rites were performed and prayers conducted for the Satgati of the departed souls. Athma Shanthi Pooja, Ganga-Mata poojas were also performed in several villages.

Based on the experience we had gained over the period of years in handling such disasters, we were able to determine the items that will be of immediate need to the affected people and were able to source them from the various parts of the country.

Details of relief materials distributed:

15 relief centres were opened and more than 46,000 people were fed within the first week of the disaster. A family kit containing the most essential items was distributed to more than 26,860 deserving families. 1200 female volunteers visited 113 worst affected villages and provided counseling for the people.

REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES

Immediately after providing the necessary initial relief, the team started focusing on providing rehabilitation for the affected communities. The rehabilitation activities were led by people from various parts of the country, experienced in the field of Disaster Management. Medical experts along with mobile medical units also arrived from Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP.

Villages Served By Seva Bharathi:

Future Plans

habilitation Activities Planned:

After the first and second phase of rehabilitation activities, which involved the immediate relief and the temporary food and shelter provided to the affected, the third phase of providing permanent rehabilitation is being planned. Seva Bharathi, with the help of leading academicians and research scholars conducted in-house survey to understand and identify the needs and requirements of the affected people and the worst affected villages.

Cost of the Project:

The cost of the various projects was worked out by a team of experts formed for the purpose and based on systematic working. The cost of material is also based on the best quotation received from a list of standard suppliers.

SHELTER

The fishermen community in the coastal belt of Tamilnadu, that was hit by Tsunami were leading a reasonably contended life with the per capita income averaging around Rs.50,000 per annum. The Tsunami, with its terrific speed engulfed huts and houses on its way and 1,27,541 houses were damaged, leaving lakhs of people homeless. These people are now being housed in some major temples, schools and wedding halls. They do not even have a storing place to house the relief materials that they receive from the kind hearted people.

These people are to be rehabilitated and it is the duty of every noble human being to serve them in this hour of disaster. Seva Bharathi, accepting this challenge has come forward to construct houses for these affected people. Seva Bharathi plans to construct 2000 temporary houses immediately and around 1250 permanent houses within the next few months.

As can be seen from the graph below, Nagapattinam has the maximum number of houses damaged in the entire Tamilnadu and hence Seva Bharathi intends to give more focus for this district.

The temporary houses of size 10ft by 16ft are being built using asbestos sheet and lite roof material with cement flooring. The permanent houses will be a masonry structure. Seva Bharathi understands that the major cause for the loss of many lives is due to the proximity of the houses to the shore and poor model of the design. Hence we are trying to find locations and evolve designs that could protect the people from such disasters in future.

There will also be a community centre of 1000 sft for common usage of all the people.

The following is the estimated cost for the construction of the houses.

Temporary houses @ Rs.12,000 for 2000 houses – Rs.2,40,00,000

Permanent houses @ Rs.55,000 for 1250 houses – Rs.6,87,50,000

Total Cost of Housing - Rs.9,27,50,000

Community Centre @ Rs.4,75,000 for 12 centres - Rs.57,00,000

Total Cost of providing shelter - Rs.9,84,50,000

LIVELIHOOD

The Tsunami not only took the lives, houses and property but also their livelihood by taking away or damaging their equipments including nets, boats, motors etc. These affected fishermen community are highly self-respecting and feel embarrassed to accept food given free even during the time of grief. They are ready to go back to the sea to earn their livelihood and face life afresh, though most of them have lost their all.

In this scenario, it will be prudent to help them lead their own life, rather than feeding them, which can only be a temporary phenomenon. Moreover, we will be doing them a disservice, if we do not understand their feelings of self dignity.

The fishermen are earning not only for their livelihood, but also bring in valuable foreign exchange for our nation. In the year 2002-03, they had earned Rs.2507.87 crores by the export of 70,147 tonnes of fish and fisheries products. The fishermen community also provides employment for thousands of people involved in allied activities.

Thus, the important aspect of rehabilitation should be to help these people get back to their business and start leading a productive life in the interest of their own self and also in the interest of the society and the nation at large.

Seva Bharathi is trying to source the following package to the fishermen in these villages.

Nets (@Rs.9,500 for 3,000 nets) : Rs.2,85,00,000

Boats (to be purchased afresh

@ Rs.100,000 for 300 boats) : Rs.3,00,00,000

Boats to be repaired

(@Rs.15,000 for 1000 boats) : Rs.1,50,00,000

Repairing of Motors

(@Rs.5000 for 300 motors) : Rs.15,00,000

Total Cost of Providing Livelihood : Rs.5,70,00,000

CHILD WELFARE CENTERS

More than 10,700 people lost their lives due to the Tsunami attack, leaving 1760 children orphaned and 1230 women widowed as per the available estimates. Thus the weaker section of the society has been forced to face the hard battle of life in isolation.

The fateful day happened to be a holiday (sunday) which led to the death of maximum number of children who were found playing in the shores of the sea. This has also resulted in many of the families losing their next generations.

The popular option of good intentioned people requesting the adoption of the orphaned children is being talked in a big way. However, Seva Bharathi feels that due to the closely knit family structure already prevailing in the fishermen community, taking care of the child by retaining it within the community would be ideal. This would also help the child rooted to its traditional skills and culture.

Hence, Seva Bharathi intends to start Child Care Centres to take care of the affected children. The cost of establishing and maintaining the Child Care Centres is as follows.

Maintenance of Child Care Centres

@ Rs.4,000 per month for 1 centre - Rs.48,000

Purchase of Playing Equipments - Rs.2,000

Total Cost of One Child Care Centre is - Rs.50,000

Total Cost of 52 Child Care Centres - Rs.26,00,000

TRAUMA & COUNSELLING CENTRE

The physical and economic impact of the Tsunami could well be removed with the passage of time. However, the psychological impact caused on the children, who saw their parents and friends dying in front of their eyes and the parents watching helplessly their children being take by the fury of the sea will haunt them for their life. The job of rehabilitation can become complete only if we could successfully bring these psychologically affected people out of their trauma. This is difficult to attain with amateurs or in a short period of time. This will need the professional support of skilled psycho-analysts who could help these people come out of their shock and awe.

Seva Bharathi has both skilled man power and expertise in the art of providing professional counseling. This has been proved quite successfully in many instances in the past. The tremendous work done by the volunteers of Seva Bharathi during the recent fire tragedy in Kumbakonam is a standing example. All the 93 families that lost their children were contacted and counseled.

This is an important area of focus and Seva Bharathi has given prime importance for this aspect and Seva Bharathi was one of the earliest organisations to establish Counseling centers in the Tsunami affected areas.

The Cost of establishing and maintaining Trauma Counseling Centres is

Salary of the Counselor (shall take care of 5 centres ) : Rs.3000 p.m

Annual Cost : Rs.36,000

No of Counselors needed for 178 centres : 35

Cost of 35 counselors : 12,60,000

EDUCATION

Seva Bharathi has been conducting 23,802 educational activities throughout the country and 213 activities in Tamilnadu alone. This has given Seva Bharathi rich experience in the art of running schools and educational institutions and in motivating the students to attend classes with pleasure. Schools run by Seva Bharathi have been acclaimed as centres of man making, character building institutions.

Seva Bharathi, wishes to use this expertise to the best use in the Tsunami affected villages, by helping in the reconstruction of the damaged school buildings, assisting students in continuing their studies by providing scholarships and the needed stationeries. We also wish to start tuition centers in the interior villages of Tsunami affected districts.

HEALTH CARE

More than 60 doctors, (24 from Karnataka) split into teams of 8 conducted Medical camps in all the coastal villages and the Relief Camps till 16.01.05. Medical service was also rendered to the non Tsunami affected area to prevent out-break of epidemics. Currently a medical centre has been established on a temporary basis to treat the Tsunami affected people in particular, though other patients are also entertained.

Even before the Tsunami attack, the coastal villages did not enjoy the luxury of having adequate number of PHCs. With the disaster, the possibility of the people contacting diseases and the outbreak of epidemics have increased manifold. Hence we wish to augment the health care services provided to the people and hence wish to convert the temporary facilities into a permanent activity by starting PHCs in some of the affected villages.

We also intend to have mobile vans to reach people who are inaccessible otherwise. This facility can also be used for providing health education to the villagers and to provide preventive health care. The cost of setting up these facilities is as follows:

Primary Health Centre (PHC)
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CONCLUSION

Seva Bharathi enjoyed the confidence and the patronage of noble minded philanthropists while undertaking service activities before and was able to fulfill the requirements of the needy. We are confident that this time too, we could successfully complete the tasks with the cooperation and support extended by patrons like you.

We request you to join us in this noble task of giving our grief stricken brethren a helping hand, at a time when they need them the most.