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India, Canada to set up early tsunami warning system

     New Delhi: India and Canada on Tuesday agreed to develop a tsunami early warning system for the countries of the Indian Ocean in collaboration with like-minded nations. This was announced here this afternoon by Prime Minister Manmohan singh and his Canadian counterpart Paul Martin at a joint press conference after their 45-minute meeting, during which they covered a whole range of bilateral issues as well as international developments. However, India is understood to have made it clear yet again that it was fully capabale of dealing with the challenges posed by the December 26 tsunami tragedy with its own resources. The Canadian leader was fully appreciative of the "impressive work" done by India in providing relief not only to its own people affected by the disaster but also to Indonesia and Thailand. A joint statement issued by the two sides said Martin extended his deepest condolences to Dr Singh on behalf of the people of Canada over the tsunami tragedy, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. "The two Prime Ministers briefed each other on their respective efforts in responding to the disaster and contributions to relief efforts in the region. The two leaders underlined the need for a strong and sustained international response to such adversity and welcomed coordination on relief efforts resulting from their participation in a Core Group (formed soon after the tragedy," the joint statement added.

Thai ghost-buster monks to exorcise tsunami spirits (Go To Top)

     Bangkok: Keen to remove fears of a further tsunami- related threat, the Government of Thailand has announced plans to call in about 100 Buddhist monks this week for special cleansing ceremonies to convince superstitious locals that their beaches and homes are free from bad spirits. The 100-odd ghostbuster monks will conduct a week-long series of ceremonies in a bid to restore confidence and to convince Thais that the spirits have moved on, and that they can return to their beaches and the sea. According to The Courier Mail, ghost stories of foreigners calling out at night for lost children or standing on roadsides have thrown fear into many Phuket locals. Health experts say the phenomenon is most likely an outpouring of delayed mass trauma. But many Thais are very superstitious. Families of lost loved ones from around the world are now gathering at one such quiet and serene retreat to arrange the return of their relatives. Some come on their own, while others are accompanied by a priest from their country or their embassy official.

     Meanwhile, the sale of tsunami souvenirs continues in right earnest along Thailand's battered western coastline. It might be tacky and in poor taste, but for some shop sellers in Phuket's Patong Beach it's now their only source of income until their businesses can be rebuilt and tourists return. There's Tsunami: The Movie, a video CD featuring a collection of shaky home videos of the waves washing ashore. That sells for five dollars. Poster-sized photographs of buildings being washed away and T- shirts featuring giant waves also are on offer. A jeweller who lost his shop on Patong Beach now sells his damaged stock - salt-encrusted watches and a clock with the time frozen at 10.10 a.m. by the tsunami - for two dollars a piece.

World famous Wandoor beach bears a deserted look after tsunami (Go To Top)

     Wandoor (Andaman and Nicobar): The world famous Wandoor beach in Andaman and Nicobar bears a deserted look after being battered by the tsunami. Wandoor, 25 kms from capital Port Blair, with clear blue water beaches and wildlife parks was a favourite destination with the backpackers both from India and abroad. Residents, most of whom are staying in relief camps say, that the tourist resorts have been completely destroyed and the rebuilding would take another year. "There used to be a lot of tourists here. This place used to be always flocked by tourists. But now after tsunami you cannot see anyone here. We are also living in relief camps," said Bastar. Situated in the west coast of South Andaman, Wandoor is a beautiful place for diving, swimming and picknicking. The wooden jetty at Wandoor is a famous boarding place for the Red Skin or Jolly Buoy islands famous for the corals. Krishna Kumar Rai, the supervisor of Andaman Boating Company, said: "There used to be so many tourists from the mainland and abroad that there was no space for parking or swimming on the beach. But after tsunami the whole place is destroyed completely. It is no more a tourist place."