Some of the projects

There are many aid agencies and NGO’s stationed in Nagapattinam. Many aid workers have been reporting the spread of disease and nearly half of the wells have been contaminated with salt water. There is a heavy loss of human lives and destruction of nearly 2000 boats where the fishing industry in Nagapattinam has come to a halt. Nagapattinam was the main hub of fishing industry for Tamil Nadu.

I plan to visit Nagapattinam January 19th with an aid agency called AID India, a grass roots organization active from USA since 1991, where they have many chapters all over the world. My task will be to document the survivors and write field and media reports.

I also plan to write several feature-length articles about the situation of Nagapattinam and Tamil Nadu. I have many angles to write including writing about what the fisherwomen are doing now since their husbands and children are dead and their homes and boats are destroyed. I would like to investigate what they plan to do next with two generations gone.

I also heard about a temporary orphanage setup up to house close to 3,000 children at a nearby village called Sikkal. I am planning to visit Sikkal and to investigate how the children are coping with the loss of their parents and the funding they are receiving.

My articles will feature interviews from local fishermen, aid workers and also quotes from NGO representatives for Nagapattinam and the local municipality leaders. Because I am fluent in Tamil and know many people in the Nagapattinam area I believe I can gain a unique insight into how the disaster has affected the people.