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As men and Masons we cannot be unmindful of the tragedy
of the recent TSUNAMI devastation which has engulfed our whole peninsula.
Every part almost of our Masonic District is in some way, degree or the
other, affected.
So how should we, as Masons respond to this destruction of our
neighbourhood, the livelihood of its coastal population, mostly of the
fishermen community?
I have been closely following the reports both from the media, as well as
from other sources and have been in touch with our Masonic Lodges in
Tanjore (Cauvery) for Nagapattinam , Cochin and Quilon (Kollam) – all
neighbouring disaster areas. We are awaiting reports from them as to what
we can do to make a response which provides some lasting benefit to the
community or village we seek to help.
We know that others are handling food and clothing supplies, and the
Governments are doing what they can about health services and other
infrastructure which has been damaged or destroyed.
We feel that we should choose an area of intervention which not only
temporarily alleviates the sufferings of a neighbourhood or a coastal
village, but leads in a subsequent phase to the creation of a permanent
benefit or facility in that area of need – for example in providing safe
drinking water. This area of intervention could provide for immediate
relief by temporary water supply leading to a permanent storage /
treatment facility. Obviously with our limited resources we cannot take on
a whole township, but if we could adopt a coastal village of say below a
1000 persons / population we might be able to manage to provide a
protected water supply for drinking water. Naturally we shall have to work
through the local village administration, without which the initiative
will not get off the ground.
However, these are only thoughts at this stage as we have left it to
individual Lodges in the affected areas to come up with suggestions on
initiatives, local administrative support possible and estimates of
financial outlays anticipated both for an immediate Emergency Phase, and
to be followed by a more permanent facility in the chosen area /
initiative.
We shall keep this site up-dated on a weekly basis, with our progress in
our responses to this enormous tragedy, bearing in mind that we would
prefer to contribute our mite to a lasting benefit on the ground to those
suffering than to give a token contribution to a Fund to this cause.
Obviously our response will only be limited by our resources and resolve.
Your contributions are welcome, and all ideas / donations (a/c District
Grand Charity Fund) may be directed to the District Grand Secretary
although I can assure all our Brethren and well-wishers that I shall be
personally overseeing and directing this District’s Masonic response to
the Tsunami Tragedy.
All Donations to this account will be kept in a separate account purely
for disbursement to the victims of the Tsunami and not allocated to any
other purpose.
R.W. BRO. K.R.N. MENON
DISTRICT GRAND MASTER
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