I am horrified at seeing the pictures of our village! We are living in constant danger of the sea, rather we are living at the lap of the sea waves which are washing off our houses and properties, besides the threat of flood any time when there is torrential rains during monsoon. The only 'protection' is the thin layer of dilapidated sea-wall which is good for nothing!
The government of India has a regulatory law known as the CRZ, Coastal Regulatory Zone or so! It prescribes that all settlements have to be away from a minimum of 500 metres! And the paradox is that our entire village doesn't have that much width! And what are we going to do? Do we really believe that the government would do anything to protect us and our village? Goverment means beaurocracy and politicians! And they don't stand to loose anything if they haven't done anything for us; nor are they going to gain anything if they do something solid for us! This is not to loose courage; but to be realistic and try accordingly to save our village and our lives.
In this context, we need the co-operation and active support of our neighbours to move the above said people in authority, as by ourselves we won't be able to exert enough pressure on them. And we can't afford to have any of them as our enemies, especially our immediate neighbours. We need to move the local government bodies like the Panchayat, the Panchayat Union and other Revenue authorities concerned and the people's representatives like the MLA and MP besides the political big shots with the help of these friendly neighbours, if needed even with the people across the river and canal.
Also, as well said by some of our friends, we need to bring our percarious situation to the attetion of the media, both print and electronic and thereby to the general public. They be made to bring out a feature on our village and the constant dangers it faces through out the year. For this we may approach some reputed papers like 'The Hindu', 'Dinamalar', TVs like 'Sun TV' and so on. We can also take a documentary of our own and make the media people, both private and public, to telecast it.
Government may be interested, if they have some economic benefit when they invest that much money to save our bit of land. This may be possible, if the much talked about 'Fishing Harbour' Project takes off. Whatever it be, we need to work hard knowing our limitaions and weaknesses, and succeed to survive as a village. Anyhow, it is not impossible a task, if only we are determined and resolute. Let us stand united and do our best and be victorious.
