Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu), January 6
Among the tsunami victims in Cuddalore district he stands tall not because of his height and immaculate “dastars” but because of his relentless hard work in the past 10 days.
He is none other than the Faridkot-born District Collector of Cuddalore, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Bedi. It was because of his spot decisions and presence of mind that this tsunami-ravaged district is back to normal within 10 days.
Speaking to The Tribune today, Mr. Bedi said: “On the very first day I disposed
to the dead bodies in order to prevent an epidemic. Around one lakh of people in 51 villages were hit by the tsunami which destroyed more than 12,000 houses.”
Like neighbouring Nagapattinam district, here too most of the tsunami victims are fishermen who not only lost their houses but also boats and fishing nets which they consider more valuable.
Mr Bedi feels it would take at least three months for the fishermen to resume their business as such a large number of boats would not be available.
On the Black Sunday the Bedi family with their two daughters were on a short holiday to the sea resort of Mahabalipuram, 120 km from the district headquarters. Having escaped the killer tsunami Mr. Bedi immediately drove back here and organised relief operations.
Said Moorthy, a fisherman of Devanampattinam village which has been worst hit by the tsunami, “He was himself physically present supervising relief operations and by the evening opened several relief camps where the victims were shifted. He would not leave till late evening unless the uprooted electricity poles were erected and there was light.”
The death toll here officially is 606 but the actual figure is certainly more. The damage was not as extensive as in Nagapattinam but the impact of the tsunami on a particular area was very strong.
In Pudukoppan village, many women who were trading in fish were swept away and three islands gobbled up by the sea.
Mr Bedi not only ensured prompt disposal of the bodies but the very next day organised mass cleaning and spraying of bleaching powder in all affected areas.
As a precautionary measure not only surviving humans but also cattle were vaccinated.
Arrangements were made for safe drinking water.
“Within 48 hours 11 borewells were dug and people are getting water through the public supply system,” said Bedi. However, in all other tsunami-affected areas packaged drinking water is still being provided.
Unlike the bungalow-cum-office of top district officials in north India, Mr. Bedi bungalow built in 1765 by Lord Clive is accessible to all. A large number of people gather there every morning with their immediate problems.
To tackle women, Mr. Bedi deputed an IAS probationer, Ms. Anu George, who patiently listens and provides solutions on the spot
Having put his district in order within four days after the tsunami struck, Mr Bedi, an engineer from the Thapar Institute of Engineering Technology, Patiala, has already evolved a long-term plan to heal the wounds left on the district’s economy.
It was Mr Bedi who ensured that Bollywood film star Vivek Oberoi come to Cuddalore. Though born to the super star of yesteryear, a Punjabi in Suresh Oberoi, Vivek’s mother being a Tamil, he wanted to help the hapless people.
“When he contacted me I told him to come here,” said Mr. Bedi.
Vivek has adopted the Devanampattinam village and already his men have began constructing thatched huts and shops other than providing relief to the victims.
