Tsunami Relief
Kanapathychettykulam - July 2005

The BASF Team's visit

With loud trumpets, scores of dancing youths on the road and shouts of gratitude, the beneficiaries greeted the benefactors - and the benevolent intermediary too.

On July 5 th , 2005, the teams from BASF and HOPE Foundation and the local fisherman community came together at Kanapathychettykulam village to celebrate the latter's start of a new life.

Kanapathychetty was devastated by the Tsunami. About 16 were killed. Like others, these villagers were also left without any means of livelihood and were faced with the prospect of widespread unemployment, migration and poverty. BASF came forward and donated 30 fishing boats with engines, nets, fishing tackles and other fishing equipment to the community. It tied up with HOPE Foundation as HOPE has been in the Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitiation work along the Tamil Nadu Coast.

The Guests

The BASF team consisted of Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman, BASF - India, Mr. PM Balakrishnan, Chief Executive, Mr. KV Rao, BASF Senior Officer and Mr. S Ashok, Commercial Officer, Chennai. The Chief Program Officer, Dr. Ashok Prabath headed the HOPE Foundation team. Mr. Gimms Andrews, Chief Finance Officer, Paul Thennarasu, the ‘Chief Coordinator' of HOPE Foundation's Rehabilitation initiatives, Mr. Panneer Selvam (PRO), coordinator of the supply of boats and engines were also present. The community consists of 90 fishing families.

The Welcome and Thanksgiving

The day began with a welcome parade on the streets. Fisherwoman welcomed the esteemed guests in the traditional way – thilak, coconuts and all. The group then proceeded to the beach where they inspected the new fishing boats kept ready for launching. Soon after, the formal function began in the shamiana arranged close to the beach.

Paul T of Hope Foundation welcomed the gathering. Mr. Sekhar, Panchayat Leader, adorned the guests with shawls. Mr. Jayamurthi, Panchayath Leader, poured out his people's gratitude towards BASF and HOPE Foundation.

Dr. Ashok Prabath, then came forward and thanked the BASF team on behalf of the community and HOPE Foundation for the generous assistance for rebuilding the once devastated community. He extolled the community to save extra incomes to secure their future and be self-reliant. Mr. Prasad Chandran then rose to address the community. He expressed his happiness in being a part of an initiative for empowerment of a whole community.

Seizing the opportunity, members of two fishing families mounted the stage to thank their beneficiaries personally. Finally Shankar, Panchayat Leader gave the Vote of thanks.

Following the function, Mr. Prasad Chandran flagged off the boats. For the jubilant and grateful fishermen, this was the first trip out into the sea post the Tsunami.

Next, the community guided the group through their village. Marks of the water level, where the seawater had stayed for a few minutes before receding, were clearly visible on the walls of the remaining houses!!

The group then proceeded to the local HOPE Foundation Office. They spent a couple of hours with the Panchayat leaders to take stock of the situation and to throw ideas on steps to strengthen the community economically. Dr. Prabath suggested starting Cooperatives Societies by the fisherman. Mr. Chandran talked on the need for planning economic activities including acquisition of productive assets like a cold-storage.

By 2 pm, both the group bid farewell to the community.

BASF – The Chemical Company

BASF is the world's leading chemical company. It is based in Germany. BASF started operations in India in 1961, when it acquired shares of R. A. Cole Private Ltd. The name was finally changed to BASF India Ltd. in Sept 1967. Today, the BASF Group in India employs more than 1100 people and has 4 production sites. They manufacture and market a host of chemicals for use in tanning, leather, textile and crop protection besides specialty chemicals, plastics, automotive coatings and polystyrene. They also provide technical services to various industries.