December 18th, 2011.
I never thought I would go there. While hearing and talking about the possibilty of the dam break, I used to think, "Is it so dangerous, as they say? Is there a need of such massive strikes and media coverages?" Moreover, I never ever wanted to go there. What if it breaks when I am there?
Few days ago, I got informed about an outreach organised by Jesus Youth, to go to Mullaperiyar, to talk to the people there, support and console them. I was asked to go with them. I felt like a joke. To Mullaperiyar? The most potentially violent atmosphere today in Kerala? No, never.
But my friends said, "Why not?" Let's do something, as Malayalees, for the issue by atleast visiting them. Hm.. I decided to go finally. Six hours bus journey from Kothamangalam,without even informing my parents about going, that too to Mullaperiyar..! Tension or thrill? a combination of the two it was!
Vallakadavu, the first village to be washed away if dam breaks:
We went to various houses of Vallakadavu. One housewife received by asking, "Have you come to see us for the last time before we die?" We were stunned by these words. All we could say back that, "Aunty, let's pray without losing hope." But that never helped in consoling her. She gave us water, saying, " What if I won't be able to give you something later?"
In another house, an uncle who is a driver was at the verge of weeping. It has been only one year since he built this house(very near to water). They have no other place to go. And are expecting death any second.
Then we went to 'samarapandhal' at Vallakadavu. A banner read:" Welcome to the mouth of death!". More than a hundred women and children along with men, without any political parties sitting together undere this banner. No cheap politicians, no media coverages. Just ordinary people. They are shouting out, "Take water, Give life !".
I too joined saying the slogans, truely from my heart. That's all I could do other than praying.
