Let us take a moment to remember…..how/why FIN came into being…..
Channel: FIN Friend In Need India Trust
Date: 2022-12-31

On 26 December 2004, a series of massive tsunami waves rising up to 30 m (100 Ft.), created by the underwater seismic activity beat the coastline of the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries.  To date, it remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. 

The plight of the affected people and countries prompted a worldwide humanitarian response, with donations totaling more than US$14 billion. Prof. Shyama V. Ramani was also a part of this movement, initiating a Franco-Indian project of rehabilitation. Many adventures brought her to the village of Kameswaram, where she decided to lay the foundation of FIN India, to help families and individuals who had suffered and lost their loved ones. 

She was however shocked at how the reality of Indian villages with litter everywhere, dirty ponds, apathy, extreme income inequalities, was so starkly different from her beliefs of a rural paradise with green meadows, beautiful beaches, a blue ocean, friendly people who help one another etc. etc. After a period of five years of raising funds for other NGOs to undertake projects in Kameswaram, and being repeatedly more or less disappointed, slowly FIN started to work directly on its own, building a team, to transform Kameswaram into a model clean village. We are far from having achieved our target – but we are constantly making progress and very proud of our achievements. 

The key to any transformation is the will to change. In this video, Prof. Shyama V. Ramani explains about the huge money spent by Kameswaram citizens on installations and places of worship. But, is this the best way to lay a wreath of love, remembrance, and honor for the departed of the tsunami? If such funds are available, then why not use them for tree planting, waste management, education, sanitation, healthcare, and skill development? Then surely even the Gods will be happier seeing their children living a better life and respecting nature.

Note: FIN respects the sentiments of all individuals and religions.

Thank you,
The FIN team