Dinu

I just read that there was a horrible fire in India up to 100 little girls perished. I just wanted to let you know how it saddened me. My prayers are with all who lost so much in your country.

Oh, my. I don't watch the news because it saddens me, and this is just an example. My heartfely prayers are added to yours for Dinu and his country, Lisa.

I just read the same story, although what I saw said 80 children age 6-13 died and 100 injured, because of locked doors in the school. Some burned so badly they couldn't tell if they were boys or girls. I cannot imagine the horror and grief of the parents. Dinu, is there anything we could do?

The first thing I thought of when I heard the news report..."I pray that Dinu's family is not in this school...." Dinu....please get on here and reassure us!! The news didn't give a city's name....Jo

News I heard said New Dehli.

OH....I never did hear the town. Thanks, Jo

Thanks for the concern my dear friends. We are safe.

The tragedy happened in a place called Kumbakonam in our neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. It is about 10 hours by road from Mysore, south east. It was in a school that has 600 children. The mid-day meal was being cooked. A portion with thatched roof near the place of cooking caught fire and spread to some parts of the building, where little kids in that age-group were in the class. It is so sad really. They could not escape. It is said that the teachers (probably panicky) shut the doors while moving out and the kids never had the courage to escape, nor the presence of mind, perhaps the fear of the teacher. That is the saddest part. It was a private school. I will try to give some links here for more information.
http://www.geo.tv/main_files/world.aspx?id=30141
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEL20040716031918&Title=&Topic=%2D328&

I think that will suffice.

Kumbakonam is a religious place, having many beautiful temples. I have visited this place about 4-5 times in the past -cricket tournament.

thanks for getting on that Dinu! you're awesome!

I had to go mid way. It is a truly pathetic sight. Death toll has crossed 90, some are recovering. It must be a shock of a lifetime for the survivors. Safety in schools now is the topic of discussions in many 'papers. Safety norms need to be improved and in a couple of schools somewhere, they even conducted mock drills during a fire accident. Awareness/preparedness is a shortcoming. Another thing. Kumbakonam is a hot place. Thatched roofs are used almost anywhere to protect the scorch from the sun. It is an easy source for the fury of the fire. Some accidents have taken place in that state in the past decade or so and some 'papers have listed them out. That only shows the ignorance and negligence of the concerned to follow safety norms.

For the parents who have lost their dear ones like that, it is a real torrid time. All our sympathies must go to them. The Govt. has sanctioned some money to the bereaved, but that never can equal the value of the lost lives.

that is so sad dinu. thank you for the update & links.

What a loss...and it brings me to tears to think of the little children facing death this way. Jo

Thank you for the update, Dinu. What a terrible tragedy. It is every parents worse nightmare. Sending your child off to school and never seeing them again. Our hearts and prayers are with all of those families.