Prometheus 6

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The residents' insistence that Nagapattinam's orphans, mostly Hindus, not be sent away partially stems from fear that the children will be converted to other religions. Locals think religious organizations, especially those associated with the West, are on a conversion spree. The fear, which religious groups say is unfounded, is magnified with the influx of international relief organizations into a largely insular community.

Rumors of evangelizing priests picking up children are readily believed, although they are unconfirmed. Two weeks ago in Akkarapettai, two Indian Christian nuns helping in relief work were surrounded by angry villagers and left fearing for their lives.

Fears of child trafficking also have made Nagapattinam residents suspicious. The relatively handsome government compensation -- children who lost one or both parents will receive $11,700 when they turn 18 -- has created another level of distrust. Announcing the compensation package so soon, activists say, raises the risk that unscrupulous people would be more concerned with the money than the children's welfare.

Communities fearful of outside adoptions of disaster orphans

By Mannika Chopra, Globe Correspondent  |  February 3, 2005

PATTINACHERRY, India -- From deep inside his shirt pocket, the head of the local village council withdrew several business cards. One, from a Christian organization, was emblazoned with a crucifix and a picture of what seemed to be a priest. Another is from Art of Living, a spiritual group headed by India's popular new-age guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Representatives from these organizations have been visiting villages like Pattinacherry to offer relief and inquire about adopting children who lost their parents because of the tsunami.

"They have come to take away our orphans," said Govindraj, the council leader, who like many Indians in the region goes by one name. "But we won't allow it."

Fishing communities along the coast of Nagapattinam, a district in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, lost much to the tsunami. Now they do not want to lose the victims' children, as well. The communities, devastated psychologically and economically, are closing ranks against the idea of outsiders adopting the orphans.

Nongovernmental organizations operating here also favor community adoptions. And the government supports outside adoptions only if local ones cannot be arranged, although for now, it has prohibited adoption of tsunami orphans by international agencies or individuals. But the assurances have not been enough for distressed residents.