Nation is with you, Modi tells fishermen affected by cyclone
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured cyclone-affected families that his government is committed to alleviate their sufferings and will do everything possible to locate the missing fishermen.
Meeting aggrieved family members in Poonthura, a fishing hamlet on the outskirts of Kerala capital, the PM said the ongoing operation of joint forces will continue and the embassies of neighbouring countries have been alerted to help locate those who strayed into their waters.
“The nation is with you. We will do everything to address your woes. The rescue operation is still on and we will try our best to bring those missing before Christmas,” he said. He heard some of fishermen patiently even as Union tourism minister K J Alphons translated their com- plaints to him.
Striking a personal tone, the PM said his presence at the affected village was a testimony to the fact that the government was with the community at this juncture of loss and grief. “I am here to share your loss and suffering. The Centre will do everything to help you,” he said. Later he chaired a meeting with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleague at the state guest house.
On a whirlwind tour, the PM first visited Lakshadweep islands. Later he proceeded to Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government has submitted memorandum seeking an aid of ~9,302 crore towards relief and rehabilitation and urged him to declare cyclone a “national disaster”. The cyclone that battered Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 29 and had a landfall in Lakshadweep on December 2 claimed 85 lives. More than 600 fishermen are missing.