Monday, February 14 2005 10:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagapattinam: Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi Devi yesterday (Feb 13, 2005) visited the some of the villages affected by the tsunami in this district yesterday and listened to the victims.

Amritanandamayi visited the coastal villages of Pattinanchery in Nagore and Samanthanpettai and Nambiar Nagar and Akkaraipettai in Nagapattinam during her 10-hour stay in this district, the worst hit by the killer waves in the State.

Accompanied by about 500 of her disciples, most of them foreign nationals, she went around the villages and met the fishermen and others and listened to them.

She also reviewed the rehabilitation works already undertaken by her Kerala-based Mutt before winding up her visit last evening.

A large number of fishermen had gathered to see the Mata. Giving details about rehabilitation measures planned and already taken up by the Mutt, its officials said already 100 temporary shelters with all basic amenities had been set up in Nagapattinam to accommodate the affected fishermen of Samathanpettai.

The Mutt proposed to construct 1,300 permanent houses and also drawn up plans to pay a monthly pension of Rs 450 for 100 widows under "Amrita Nidhi" scheme. It also would employ women, who have lost their children, with education upto eighth standard and above, as foster mothers in children's home to be started soon to take care of orphans.