After providing immediate relief to the affected, it was imperative to focus on a long term, sustainable project to help people rebuild their lives. In this context, Siemens India, together with the German business community in India and the German Consulate, set up the ‘German Business Community and Consulate General Earthquake Assistance Foundation’ to undertake the Tsunami Rehabilitation Project. In terms of employee contribution for the Euro 2.3 million project, a large number of Siemens employees donated a share of their salary to support the long-term rehabilitation project. In addition to this collection, Siemens India on its part contributed an equivalent amount as well.
The project is being executed in the four worst affected villages of Tamil Nadu, namely Thenampattinam, Pudupattinam in Nagapattinam district — and Keelmanakudi and Alikal Pillaithopu in Kanyakumari district. As always, Siemens is actively involved in the execution of this project. The rehabilitation activities are at various stages of development.
We still have a long way to go, till we can make difference and bring some comfort in the lives of these affected people. But surely, Siemens is taking a step at a time and progressing towards achieving its goal of uplifting 80 % of the people in the adopted villages above the poverty line in 5-6 years.