anything  had happened. Since we live somewhat inland we were quite
     unaffected.

     [Nod] Tsunamis are like that. They're slow and quiet, definitely so at
     first; the traditional way to commit suicide during one is to follow the
     ocean as it recedes from the shore. 

     Folks - everyone - imprint this in your brain forever: if you ever see the
     ocean receding, RUN like hell for the high ground. You at least stand a
     chance of surviving, then. 

     [Kapil] P.S. There is no word for "tsunami" in any of the local languages
     which perhaps gives an idea of how unexpected the event was.

     [Vinayak Hegde] You can add me to the list. :)

     With great pleasure! I just went through our list of authors, and emailed
     everyone that was in India; you're just not listed as an author, so no
     contact info came up. Glad to hear you're OK, too! 

     [Vinayak  Hegde]  Thanks.  Actually  I  am  listed as a author :) .
     [58]http://linuxgazette.net/authors/vinayak.html

     [blink] Then I simply missed you. Ooops. 

     [Vinayak Hegde] I live far away from the coast (in Bangalore). We did
     mobilise help and have donated a lot of clothes/medicines for relief work.
     Though we are safe in center of the Indian peninsula, we were shocked by
     the images that were shown on television and splashed on the front pages
     of the newspapers. I also read that 5 endangered tribes living in the
     Andaman and Nicobar islands were wiped out forever and a few islands were
     washed away (literally).

     [sigh] Damn. The only thing I'd ever heard about Andaman islanders was the
     fanciful stuff from Conan Doyle... and now, they're gone. Forever. 

     Contention from various quarters notwithstanding, this world is not
     particularly friendly to man. I realize that it does no good to rail
     against the weather, but... blood and hell, man! This is just appalling. 

     [Vinayak Hegde] Yeah. It's good to know that I am not the only Sherlock
     Holmes Fan on this List The Andamani Pymgy had a major role to play in
     "The Sign of Four". Who could forget the thrilling story?? :)

   Link to the "Times of India" article here:
          [59]http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1309884/posts

     Oh, indeed. And what a picture he draws! Reminded me quite a lot of Jack
     London's "South Sea Tales", or perhaps "Adventure", and his descriptions
     of the Salomon islanders. 

     Any news about the latest warning that Sunil mentioned? 

     [Raj Shekar] Thanks a lot for writing. I am in Delhi, which was quite far
     from where the tsunami stuck. I will be making a donation to the Prime
     minister's fund and also write in to the local LUG to see if we can do
     more than just sitting. One of the members of the mailing list is working
     with the people who have been hit and has written down the things they
     need:
     [60]https://ssl.cpsr.org/pipermail/india-gii/2004-December/009559.html

    1. Children's clothes in decent form
    2. Medicines - Paracetamol, ORS packets, Doxycycline, Dettol, bandages
    3. Blankets - a few thousands
    4. Gloves & masks to help volunteers clear the debris & dead bodies.
    5. Money - to buy essentials, water pots (which will be bought closer to
       the areas)

     Editor's note: Paracetomol is known as Acetominophen in the US, and might
     be under that name in other countries. -- Heather

     I hope I will be able to find some (honest) agency who will be willing to
     take donations of medicine and blankets.

     Thanks again for caring

     [Jimmy]      Wikipedia      have     an     international     list:
     [61]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donations_for_victims_of_the_2004_Indian_
     Ocean_earthquake

     [Hiran Ramankutty] I am absolutely fine. By god's grace I am not near the
     vicinity of the Tsunami. But hearing about the disaster itself gives
     enough sight of what would have happened.

     Pray for all Tsunami victims.

     [Krishnakumar R] I am fine. I had come home (Kerala in southern India) for
     a 10-day holiday. But as my native place is far from coastal area, I was
     not affected.

     I can also vouch for Pramode. C . E , that he is safe, as I had met him in
     person day-before-yesterday.

     Ben, I really appreciate the concern and the kindness you extend to all of
     us. Thank you very much.

     It is during the dark times like this that we understand how precious our
     lives are; which we usually take for granted. Lets all extend our help in
     whatever way we can, to the victims of this tragedy.