​UNIT V

CUDDALORE EXPERIENCE

2 /4MARKS

1. How was the distribution of clothes and medicines that poured in for the tsunami victims
handled? (4marks)

Ans. Administration had started a separate system for smooth distribution of clothes and medicines.
From the second day onwards, relief materials started pouring in from all directions. For good use of
relief material, they followed a smooth system, computerized entry with the help of two volunteers.
Relief materials like medicine, cloths, groceries etc were sent to the much needed areas.
The donors who donated through administration were given an official acknowledgement for the
materials. This addressed the issue of accountability. There were others who wanted to distribute
directly to the villagers. It was not a good option but required arrangements were made to facilitate the
distribution. There was a perfect system to ease the distribution process.

2​. ​What were the means used to establish contact between the control rooms and the field staff?

Ans. Communication is one of the important areas to take up the relief operations very fast. So that
nothing can be delayed and everything has to reach to all the victims. For that control rooms were
established in the three worst affected areas to coordinate the efforts of the field staff and to monitor
the relief operations. To some extent the HAM radio operators helped them in this process. And using
mobile phones by the top officials were of great help to meet the demands. All the officials had taken a
very provocative action in this regard. Meeting the demand was top priority.

3. What steps did the administration take to ensure that potable water was available?

Ans. The administration had taken very stringent measure to provide potable water. The water from all
the sources was tested with the assistance from voluntary agencies and was found potable in all but one
source. Here the tsunami had rendered the drinking water sources saline. With the support of NGOs,
three desalination plants based on reverse osmosis were set up in this area. The help from NGOs kept
pouring in and we were able to get commitments for maintenance of the desalination units also, which
was very important.
Civic amenities, power supply, water and bore wells were provided. Intensive police patrolling had
done to prevent thefts and any untoward happening.

Cuddalore Experience

5 Marks

4. Provide a short note on the account of damage caused by floods and tsunami to Cuddalore in
2004.

Ans.Cuddalore, in Tamil Nadu, has always been prone to natural disasters of one kind or the other. The
shocking, spine jerking, tsunami experience of 26th of December 2004 was like no other. The extent or
immensity of loss, the suddenness with which it approached, without prediction and lack of
preparedness of people has made an unbelievable amount of destruction. The disaster was much
different from any others for the intense havoc it damaged: the spread was small but the damage huge.
The tsunami left 618 dead in Cuddalore, loss of animals was put to 29 lakh. A vast area of 517.7
hectares of land was rendered saline and property worth nearly 300 crore was destroyed. The terrible
tragedy scarred the lives of over 97,000 people, and thousands were rendered homeless in a matter of
minutes. The area near the coast was reduced to rubble. Fifty one habitations were badly damaged by
the sea waves. A large number of animals were treated for various illnesses. A large number of people
including children were traumatized.

5. What was the work done by the medical teams formed as part of the disaster management
efforts in Cuddalore?

Ans.The department of health rendered yeoman’s service in this crisis. Twenty-three teams comprising
both government and private doctors were mobilized for medical camps. Initially the camps were set
up in the relief centres, but they were later shifted to the villages. They had organized counseling for
the mentally traumatized. Initially, Red Cross Society’s volunteers helped to identify the people who
were in need of counseling. To ensure some kind of continuity in the process, people were trained to
carry the program forward. And temporary camp was set up in one of the villagers for this purpose.
The district administration of Cuddalore set up thirty-eight centres for refugees. Food and water were
supplied regularly. Sanitary workers were appointed to clean the places on a daily basis. Medical
camps were also set up. Teams of doctors visited the camps every day. The cooked food was
monitored as a precautionary measure. Villages were cleaned up to control epidemics. Dead bodies of
human beings and animals were disposed of. To disinfect relief centres and ravaged villages, bleaching
powder, lime and phenyl were used. Twenty three teams of doctors did wonderful service. They treated
80,117 people with 437 people as in-patients. The doctors also gave 9373 doses of measles and polio
vaccine. They further mobilized 17,000 typhoid vaccines. The medical teams organized counseling for
the mentally traumatized people including children. Play therapy sessions were specially held for
children. Homes were opened for tsunami orphans to provide them psychosocial well-being.

​Cuddalore Experience

​ 12 Marks

6. Immediately after the tsunami struck Cuddalore, what were the immediate rescue operations
extended by the administrators?

Ans.Cuddalore, in Tamil Nadu, has always been prone to natural disasters of one kind or the other. The
shocking, spine jerking, tsunami experience of 26th of December 2004 was like no other. The extent or
immensity of loss, the suddenness with which it approached, without prediction and lack of
preparedness of people has made an unbelievable amount of destruction. The disaster was much
different from any others for the intense havoc it damaged: the spread was small but the damage huge.
The tsunami left 618 dead in Cuddalore, loss of animals was put to 29 lakh. A vast area of 517.7
hectares of land was rendered saline and property worth nearly 300 crore was destroyed. The terrible
tragedy scarred the lives of over 97,000 people, and thousands were rendered homeless in a matter of
minutes.

Anu George is an IAS officer, incharge of the district of the relief and rehabilitation operations.

Immediate rescue and relief Operations

The first and foremost task in disaster management in Cuddalore was that of rescue and relief
operation. Tragedy had happened in immensely large proportion, the task is very high to accommodate
and provide rescue and relief operation. Hospitals had to be made ready to attend to the thousands
being brought in, dead or alive. First aid to the injured, care for the seriously affected and consolation
to the bereaved had to be given. It was very troublesome and painful task of disposing the dead bodies,
mass burial was the only way out and it took a lot of persuasion and effort on the part of our field
officials to get the task done by the morning of 27th December. Many people had come to search their
lost relatives or friends. All the bodies were photographed individually before the burial for future
identification purposes. The burial was an important task for two reasons: 1. For controlling the
outbreak of diseases, 2. For ensuring faster and smoother relief operations.

Public information centres, and public announcement system had facilitated to carve out the confusion
at the hospitals. The next important job was to provide food and water for nearly 24,000 people who
had fled from their villages in the coastal areas to the interior. Philanthropist and volunteers had taken
a great initiative to meet the emergency. Organizations had pooled up the resources and provided food
and water.

Relief Centers

The villagers in coastal regions were scared and moved to the interiors of the district in panic. Most of
the relief camps that were opened up almost immediately were housed in the wedding halls of the
district. Around thirty eight centres were set up for the refugees. The next task in hand was to provide
food and water to the refugees till the time that these camps lasted. This was a massive exercise in
coordination between the authorities and the voluntary sector. They devised a tracking system whereby
the officials’ incharge at each centre would report to the control room about the arrangements that were
in place for the next meal. Sanitary workers were appointed to clean the places on a daily basis. Their
work was constantly monitored.

Medical camps were also set up. The arrangement was such that every camp had atleast one visit from
a team of doctors every day. Wherever there was more than one camp within a short distance, the
medical camp functioned all day.

The cooked food brought in by the volunteer was monitored as a precautionary measure. This was
necessary because in a few places, the food, which was brought in from far flung areas, had got spoilt
during transportation due to the heat.
With the help of a few agencies, we were able to put up sintex tanks in all the relief centres, thus
ensuring a steady supply of water. Additional responsibility was laid those who had leadership
qualities that no problem was unattended without delay.

Restoration of Civic Amenities

The water from all the sources was tested with the assistance from voluntary agencies and was found
potable in all but one source. Here the tsunami had rendered the drinking water sources saline. With
the support of NGOs, three desalination plants based on reverse osmosis were set up in this area. The
help from NGOs kept pouring in and we were able to get commitments for maintenance of the
desalination units also, which was very important.

Civic amenities, power supply, water and bore wells were provided. Intensive police patrolling had
done to prevent thefts and any untoward happenings.

Communications

C​ontrol rooms were established in the three worst affected areas to coordinate the efforts of the field
staff and to monitor the relief operations. To some extent the HAM radio operators helped them in this
process. And using mobile phones by the top officials were of great help to meet the demands.

Mass Cleaning

It was important to clean up the village to bring a normal state. Entire area was filled with dead bodies
and carcasses. It was also a vital move in the control of epidemics. This was done in a massive scale by
local NSS, NYK and army personnel.

The World Health Organisation warned that more people would die of epidemics rather than of the
tsunami. They had started a massive exercise to disinfect the relief centres and the villages, using
bleaching power, line and phenyl, which were made available in huge quantities.

Community Kitchens

Organising community kitchens to feed the thousands of displaced people was an exercise in
coordination. It needed huge quantity of vegetables, fuel and other provisions at short notices. Donors’
money was used for this purpose and 7,085 people were fed in the 23 community kitchens across the
district for over a month. Officers’ incharge got the daily report for next meal arrangements to ensure
food supply was never disrupted.

Handling Relief Materials

From the second day onwards, relief materials started pouring in from all directions. For good use of
relief material, they followed a smooth system, computerized entry with the help of two volunteers.
Relief materials like medicine, cloths, groceries etc were sent to the much needed areas.

The donors who donated through administration were given an official acknowledgement for the
materials. This addressed the issue of accountability. There were others who wanted to distribute
directly to the villagers. It was not a good option but required arrangements were made to facilitate the
distribution. There was a perfect system to ease the distribution process.

Health

The department of health rendered yeoman’s service in this crisis. Twenty-three teams comprising both
government and private doctors were mobilized for medical camps.

Initially the camps were set up in the relief centres, but they were later shifted to the villages. They had
organized counseling for the mentally traumatized. Initially, Red Cross Society’s volunteers helped to
identify the people who were in need of counseling. To ensure some kind of continuity in the process,
people were trained to carry the program forward. And temporary camp was set up in one of the
villagers for this purpose.

Agriculture

Government had enhanced compensation package for the farmers. The farmers were told the various
scientific institutions for eco-friendly technologies to facilitate faster reclamation. This was important
as in many places the farmers had already watered the land in the hope of planting the next crop,
without being aware of the consequence of their actions.

Children
Authorities, voluntaries, organizations had taken intimate care to bring back the traumatized children.
It was felt that play therapy would be the best healer. This made a great impact on the children.

The government home opened for the tsunami orphans also received special attention. Children were
provided with all the basic amenities’ comforts with the help of various donors. The home was opened
bearing in mind the special needs, including the psychosocial well being, of the tsunami affected
children. Schools and colleges were these children could go to were identified in the fast possible
manner; and students were provided with books and bags as well. Immediate steps were also
undertaken to reopen schools as early as possible.

Shelter

Temporary shelters had to be put up because it is inevitable to stay long at relief centres. It was also
necessary to bring village into normalcy. A large number of temporary shelters were put up with the
help of the voluntary bodies and the Rural Development Department. Based on the good feedback the
sheltering work was continuously extended. A lot of thrust was placed on the flooring and the
controlling the heat. The sanitation needs of the rehabilitation were met with the help of voluntary
agencies.
Conclusion

Disasters both natural and manmade expose the most vulnerable sections of society to grave danger.
These disasters widen the poverty. The poor people are suffered utmost. It takes many years to
recuperate and to bring city to normalcy. It was fortunate that many philanthropist gave their support.
But, atlast are we limiting our support to such disasters.

Unit V

Martin Luther King Jr.

(2 marks)
1.What is the background of the speech?

Ans. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Clergyman, Activist
and prominent leader in the African – American civil rights movement. His main legacy was to secure
progress on civil rights in the United States, he has become a human rights icon. King’s efforts led to
the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. His speech on
August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln memorial during the march on Washington for jobs and
freedom, was a defining movement of the American civil Rights Movement. There, he raised public
consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in US
history.

2. Who is the ‘Great American’ that Martin Luther is referring to in the beginning of his speech?

Ans.Abraham Lincoln is the ‘Great American” that Martin Luther King is referring to.

3. What the symbolic meaning of the words like ‘check’, ‘promissory note’, etc, in the speech.

Ans.Martin Luther King in his speech he said that Constitution has given ‘check’ here they have come
to cash it to reap the fruits of freedom. And he used ‘promissory note’ though the nation has promised
to give liberty but it failed. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable
rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

4. Explain the meaning of the poetic lines ‘My country,….Let freedom ring’.

Ans.The essence of these lines are – let freedom be spread all the corners and every mountainside,
snow-capped Rockies of Colorado, curvaceous peaks of California, Stone mountain of Georgia,
Mountain of Tennessee, every hill and molehill of Mississippi, every mountainside and all the corners
of the nation for this most of the people sacrificed their lives.

​Martin Luther King

​ (5 marks)

5 . How Martin Luther King narrates that both white and black people freedom is tied up?
Ans.It is the time to awaken and open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s children, and to break
the shackles of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but
a beginning. If the nation is paying deaf ear it would be experiencing a rude awakening. There will be
neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. This revolution
would continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

Martin Luther King was instilling hopes, chances, foresight, vision for his people. He says that
they must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of
dignity and discipline. Physical violence protest not to be given road. Everything has to be dealt in
hand in hand with white brothers. Their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is
inseparably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

Martin Luther King asked the Negroes always to march ahead and never turn back. They
should not be satisfied until they could enter motels and hotels, and move from smaller homes to larger
homes like others. They would not be satisfied unless they were allowed to vote for a better future and
get injustice and righteous treatment.

Finally, Martin Luther King gave a clarion call to the Negroes to come out of their despair and
continue to work with the faith that selfless suffering would result in redemption.

6.What was the discrimination meted out to the blacks, according to the speaker?

Ans.A great man (Abraham Lincoln) had proclaimed that blacks are free and can join into the
American Army. This official order brought a light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been
suffering in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of
captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. They are still oppressed, segregated in the
corners of American society. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on the lonely island of poverty
in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. So, he is expressing their painful racial
discrimination.

Martin Luther King says that they have come to their nation’s capital to cash a check. When the
architects of our republics wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and declaration of
Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This
note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.

Martin Luther King

(12 marks)

7. What according to Martin Luther King is the ‘urgency of the moment’ that needs to be
addressed?

Ans.

Martin Luther King Jr. expresses his anguish that blacks are not equally treated. He delivered thought
invoking, inspiriting speech on August 28, 1963. Where he expresses, what is the present urgent need
for the blacks and the hopes of the speaker from the government.

A great man (Abraham Lincoln) had proclaimed that blacks are free and can join into the American
Army. This official order brought a light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been suffering in
the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. They are still oppressed, segregated in the
corners of American society. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on the lonely island of poverty
in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. So, he is expressing their painful racial
discrimination.
Martin Luther King says that they have come to their nation’s capital to cash a check. When the
architects of our republics wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and declaration of
Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This
note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.

It is clearly felt today that America has neglected or failed to implement this promissory note in case of
citizens of colour are concerned. No justice is shared equally. So they deny this sense of injustice
unanimously. And they have come back to remind and demand the riches of freedom and the security
of justice. Martin Luther King hopes that the present need is to retain our freedom which was promised
long ago.

8. Give an elaborate account of Martin Luther King’s dream.

Ans. During the historic demonstration of the unprivileged Negroes of America, Martin Luther King
announced that he had a dream within the larger American dream. The dream was for a better destiny
for the Negroes of America.

The dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold
these truths to the self-evident: that all men are created equal. One day on the red hills of Georgia the
sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of
brotherhood. One day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice and
oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

The dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the
colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Where all the little white boys and white girls
walk together as sisters and brothers. One day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain
shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight,
the glory of the lord shall be revealed, and all the flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With our hope we destroy the
mountain of hopelessness. With our hope we build up relation of brotherhood and work together, to
pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, they knew
that they would be free one day. On that day all the children of God would sing a song of freedom.
There would be no difference then between black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants
and Catholics. This meant that all men were free at last. This was the fond dream of Martin Luther
King.

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