Now that the five-day workshop has ended in Bangalore, today the team will move to Nagapattinam.

This area devastated by the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami is the site where the team will conduct the FIRST Response Disaster Radio three-day field trial, putting into practice all they have learnt.

A radio station will be set up and run under realistic conditions and generator power. The participants will gather critical information for a disaster situation and put it on air via FM and short wave. The programme content will not simulate a disaster but will relate to the 2004 Tsunami and involve participation from the community, government and non-governmental organisation (NGO) sources.

Where is Nagapattinam?

See where Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India is exactly by choosing to view one of these maps:

Google Map

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The Boxing Day Tsunami

Nagapattinam is a coastal city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu with a minor port at the Bay of Bengal and a centre for the local fishing industry. Tamil Nadu is the area of India devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, leaving more than 8000 dead, with over 6000 of them in Nagapattinam. The coastal fishing community suffered the most as the coastline of boats and nets were swept away. The waves also brought in high volumes of salt and deep sea mud, ruining soil used for farming and contaminating fresh water ponds used for irrigation and drinking water. Over the months and years, much relief aid came in to help restore housing, boats and nets, shops, schools and trees. The forest department implemented a massive forestation programme throughout the entire coastline to develop a thick protective cover to people living along the coastal belt, to act as a barrier against future tsunamis. Today Tamil Nadu is one of India’s most industrialised and urbanised states as well as a leader in agriculture.

Tamil Language and People

The major language spoken in the Nagapattinam District is Tamil. Many Tamils are farmers, producing a wide range of agricultural products, including rice, fruits, vegetables, and flowers (Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Marigold and Rose). Tamils have a long vegetarian heritage. They enjoy serving steamed rice together with dry curry, curd, whey or buttermilk.

Most Tamils have access to primary education so they are highly literate, resulting in numerous Tamil newspapers. They also watch TV and listen to the radio. Tamils are religious people (78% Hindus, 4% Christian, 3% Muslim). Most have a neutral view of Christianity, respecting Christ as one among their many gods. However Hindu traditions permeate all aspects of life, including the Tamil calendar. Regardless of their religion, they all celebrate two important Tamil festivals: Pongal, a harvest festival in mid-January, and Varudapirappu, the Tamil New Year in mid-April. They also celebrate festivals for their local gods once a year, especially the goddess of rain since their location often suffers from too much or too little rain.