Beaches vanish in Campbell Bay
Port Blair, January 1
A sober New Year’s Day in Port Blair saw the IRC constituted by the Government of India take effect, with Lt-Gen B.S. Thakur, Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, taking charge of the relief efforts as the Operational Head of the Command.

A survivor weeps near her damaged house hit by Sunday’s tsunami in Nagapattinam, 350 km south of Chennai, on Saturday. — Reuters photo

Nation page: Nicobarese suffer major losses Jarawas safe: govt Punjab page: Rajpura Sqn Leader’s body found in Nicobar World: Strong quake rocks Sumatra again Sports page: ICC XI, Asia XI to play 2 fund-raisers

In videos Villagers devastated by killer tsunami cling on to faith as last hope. (28k, 56k) Life limps ahead in tsunami-hit Nagapattinam. (28k, 56k) People welcome 2005 by remembering tsunami victims. (28k, 56k) Hundreds of candles lit in Colombo in memory of tsunami victims. (28k, 56k)

Resettling orphans a problem as cheats appear
Chennai, January 1
While the overstressed Tamil Nadu Administration carried on its relief work among the tsunami victims for the sixth day, it is now faced with the problem of looking after orphans.

Focus now on streamlining relief
BJP to question UPA on relief operations
Nation page: Nicobarese suffer major losses

4,000 troops join biggest peace-time operation
New Delhi, January 1
The colossal effort put by the three wings of the Indian armed forces has in fact become the biggest peace-time operation undertaken by them to carry out relief, rescue and search operations in tsunami-hit South-East Asia.
In video (28k, 56k)

Logistics panel planned for Andamans
New Delhi, January 1
The Centre today decided to set up an integrated logistics committee for the tsunami-hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands and send central teams to other affected states on January 4 to assess requirements for relief and rehabilitation work.

Vivek Oberoi adopts village Nation page:  Out of the jungle come starving, startled survivors SHE lay in a hospital bed, her baby son curled up by her side — Priscilla and Michael. Two more victims of the tsunami.  Tiny tots carry water bottles to quench their thirst at a relief camp in Port Blair on Saturday.  — PTI photo

India, Pak exchange lists of N-installations
New Delhi, January 1
India and Pakistan today exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities, a practice which the two nuclear rivals have adhered to for the 14th consecutive year.

White New Year in Kashmir Valley Shimla/Srinagar, January 1 Severe cold wave tightened its grip over the North on Saturday. Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and its adjoining areas and higher reaches of Himachal had fresh snow today. In video (28k, 56k) A view of snowfall in Srinagar on Saturday, the first day of 2005, which commenced in Jammu and Kashmir covering most parts of the valley with a white blanket. — PTI photo