Wednesday, December 29 2004 19:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Cuddalore (TN): Moved by the magnitude of the devastation in this fishing village wrought by the Tsunami on Sunday (Dec 26, 2004), two tourists from Switzerland who were holidaying in South India for the last one month have cancelled their tour mid-way after donating their pocket money of Rs 20,000 to the district administration for relief work.

Carlotta Steinemann and Anina Gmuer, both students of cinematography in Zurich, are returning, cancelling the tour of India after donating the cash they had for the rest of the journey, Cuddalore district collector, Gangandeep Singh Bedi told reporters in Cuddalore.

The two young women, who had visa till January 29, are returning immediately, he said, giving details of the assistance that is pouring in. "They have donated their savings of Rs 20,000 for the relief work in this district," he said.

Indian Medical Association and Tirupur Exporters Association have supplied medicines and utensils for the relief work, being undertaken on a war footing by the administration.

NGO world vision India has offered to assist the district administration in erecting thatched sheds in six affected villages. A total of 2000 thatched sheds will be built, costing Rs 6000 each, the collector said.

Similarly, the Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute, Gujarat, have offered to set up a low-cost desalination plant in five villages, he added.