Sunday, January 2 2005 16:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Cuddalore (TN): Hindi actor Vivek Oberoi along with his 'spiritual guru' Swami Chidanand Saraswathi of the Paramath Niketan Ashram conducted a mass prayer at Thevanampatinam, a fishermen hamlet in Cuddalore (TN), which was battered by the tidal waves on December 26.

Vivek had visited the hamlet; worst hit in the district, yesterday (Jan 1, 2005) and expressed his desire to adopt it. But officials told him that it required Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's consent.

He said the Ashram people would undertake rehabilitation works in the village.

He said he would provide the affected people new blankets, clothes, plastic buckets, etc. As long-term relief arrangement, he said he would rebuild the houses, repair damaged boats and buy fishing nets from China and Mumbai. He would also mobilise funds from Mumbai for the fishermen families in Cuddalore (TN).

State Ministers C Ponnaiyan, C V Shanmugham and District Collector Gagandeep Singh Bedi took part in the prayer, which was conducted yesterday by the Swami with six Rishi Kumars from the Ashram for invoking the Almighty to give peace to the departed souls and courage to the survivors.

Vivek's father, actor and TV compere Suresh Oberoi also accompanied him.

Meanwhile, fisher folk said that the Ashram people met affected families and gave them relief materials.