Honestly, I din't remember this day until a few minutes ago. Most people wouldn't forget December 26, for it was the day India experienced Tsunami in 2004. I was in my grandmom's house during that time in Trivandrum. Being in my grandparents' place, I am always disconnected from the rest of the world (but thats another reason why I like being there :-) and this day also was like that. Some of my cousins and aunts were there too bcos everyone had come together the previous day for X'mas. We really had a great time this season setting up the X'mas tree, hut, dolls, stars, lights and all. We started working on it from the second week of December. We were very happy this season bcos we've never celebrated X'mas this grand in my grandparents' house with all of us together.
We came to know of the Tsunami hit only after switching on the television later in the evening on the 26th. It was disastrous to see and know that most coastal areas of Tamil Nadu were affected including my home district - Kanyakumari. But the next day (Dec 27), there was news that our place (Kaniyapuram) was likely to be affected too bcos we were just 1.5 kms off Puthenthope beach. Around 9 pm, we could see all our neighbors packing up and moving their vehicles out of the park. We just went out to see what's happenin and it was unbelievable. People were walking in clusters towards the route opposite seaside. The road, as far as I could see, was full of men, women, and children. It was like watching a movie wherein the people flee from their hometown when they are asked to leave after a disaster or catastrophe or even similar to a post-war situation. Is this happening to my heaven-like place? Before I could stand still thinking of all these, my uncle called me in and asked me to pack some really important things and leave with everyone immediately. I hesitated to leave bcos I couldn't think of it. I know there won't be a problem for us and the tides are not going to reach us here. Moreover, I din't want to leave home; the X'mas tree was still shining brightly with lights on it, the balloons and ribbons all over - how could something happen at such time - am I dreaming? Not! I couldn't leave anything behind. But I had to take something and get everyone prepared before my uncles get more angry. Everyone was packing something, maybe dresses. I din't know what to take along with me then.. got my officebag, took my diary, the certificates I got with me, and a pair of dress - nothing more could get into the bag! Now I had to bring everyone together and walk out. Still hesitated, lingered at the door, and then passed the X'mas tree, which was outside the house in our garden.
Now, I and my cousins were looking at the tree in the garden and the dolls inside the decorated cardboard hay hut.
One of my younger cousins asked, "Are we goin to leave all these behind?"
I was in the same state of mind and wanted to ask my elders the same question, but playing the mature way, I didn't. But when my cousin asked me, I replied "We'll save them...just pick'em up." And we collected the dolls of Baby Jesus, the angels, the shepherds, the flock and the gifts too, and within seconds we put them all in a box, opened the room and put them on the shelf above. The kids felt happy, and me too. Felt as if we saved something or someone from a critical situation. Now we were a bit happier and walked through the short lane from our house to the road.
Just then someone said, "Don't forget to let the dog (Pappu) loose." True golden words they were. Imagine if the waters entered the area and he is tied to the tree.
My uncles directed me the route to take, but they were not accompanying us. I was surprised. They said it was necessary for them to stay there and would be with us later. I too wanted to be there at home sending the others away. For that moment, I wished I were older than my uncles so that I could order them to take the others away and stay there ;-). Pity, I was younger then.
All of us walked in a group along with other people. I can't explain the experience - entirely different. Walking away from home.... I know I'l be back. But when? I could see people carrying their children and many others their baggages and even two of them carrying their television sets with them. I din't know where we were going until I asked my grandma and she told me we had a relative some 1 km away and we were goin to stay there that night. Walking together with lots of people was experience in a lifetime in a situation like that. KSRTC had started free bus service by then to pick people from beach areas and drop them at the bus depot. We could see buses moving at the speed of ambulances while we were walking. That added much tension to everyone as if something v.serious had happened.
We reached the relative's house, but I've not known them before. While others went in, I was out watching others pass by - don't know whether they too had some relatives at the other corner or are they just goin to walk till dawn. Wanted to spent that nite someway and come home. I too joined the others who were watching television in that house. Some channels were telecasting live the situation in other parts of Kerala and Tamilnadu. Any place, we could see people walking in groups to some other place like we did. Disastrous things happened at good times and there comes good times after disasters also. What a way to spoil the New Year that all were awaiting. How could Tsunami match the days between X'mas and New Year?! I always kept wondering at nature's gifts, or God's. Nature has everything beautiful within it and it shows its ugly faces at times in form of earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, cyclones, and now a Tsunami. Not talking of that now.
After some hours of stay in our relative's house, we planned to leave for home. We just enquired the situation with our uncles and went back home. Others were still moving opposite us when some like us were moving back home. Entered home and this feeling I can't express - I'm back and its "home." This is why we call it home. I knew I'd be back, but not so soon. We were at our X'mas tree again and we're happy we can light it again tomorrow. I could also understand something; there is no need to panic at any situation - just be aware, awake, and alert. That will tell u what to do. My uncles were out all nite gathering news from friends who were still near the beach and we were looking for alerts on TV. Later fell asleep bcos of tiredness and woke up afresh the next morning (really not much time in between) with bright sunlight beaming on me to have hopes for a good day.
This day - that Year is memorable not bcos of Tsunami alone; this day had a feeling of togetherness. All of us were together - it makes me understand what family and society is. Everyone in the neighborhood were together, everyone rich or poor walked together bcos everyone had to leave something or everything behind and all they could take along with them was their loved ones with lots of love in their hearts. This must be the Tsunami-message to the world if it had not killed any. Losing some, we understand the value of many around us, who being close to us feel being very far from us.
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