Govt, NGOs coming together can really make a difference in difficult situations

ANNIYAKUMARI was one of the worst affected districts struck by Tsunami. At the time, bureaucrat Sunil Paliwal was transferred from Theni and posted as collector of Kanyakumari with his task cut out for rebuilding infrastructure and nurture hope among local population.

- C SHIVAKUMAR @Chennai

The senior IAS official, who is now the chairperson of Chennai and Kamarajar Ports, walks down the memory lane. Excerpts:

What do you remember of that day?

I was in Theni when the disaster struck. I was transferred to Kanyakumari two weeks after tsunami. In Kanyakumari, there were more than 800 deaths and 72 persons were missing. Over 44,000 families were impacted and 6,600 houses destroyed - 2,600 fully and 4,000 partially. The confidence among the people was low. I was asked to proceed to Kanniyakumari immediately and took charge in the dining hall of the government guest house.

It is a tragedy of a nature and magnitude never seen before. Officials like you must have had to think on your feet. How did you manage?