Where the waves once changed everything, I was standing in quiet memory.
Going to beach is a memorsble experience to many of us. I especially feel quite calm and relax whenever getba chance to visot besch. I am living in any coastal area, so visiting them is very rare. I believe before the recent trip to Kanyakumari, my last one was few years when I travelled to Puri in Orissa. Being near the ocean helps reduce anxiety, lower stress, and let go of work emails, notifications, and busy to-do lists. Whether building sandcastles, swimming, or walking the shoreline, beach days often center around shared, unhurried time with family and friends.
The rhythmic sound of crashing waves, soft sand underfoot, warm sunlight, and the fresh sea breeze create a natural "goldilocks zone" of comfort that quiets the mind. I was living different life altogether. No rush, no crowd. Simply me and my lonely and the vast ocean in front of me. But a little tragedy spoiled my mood. I was walking on the sand barefoot. I kept my footwear faraway from.the reach of the waves. Trying to get a feel of water beneath my feet. However, some pampered kids there made a fun of me bybthrowing away my footwear on water. It was a funfilled moment for them, it took me by surprise. As you need to be alert all the time to avoid any mishappening.
My loss of footwear is one of the rarest tragedy that has occurred on beaches. There are many tragedies that never been highlighted. Accidental drowning is one of the major incident reported from different beaches across India. Some get noticed and some never ever been reported. However these beaches are epicentre of major tragedies too. A tsunami is a catastrophic tragedy for beaches. Tsunami waves do not just crash and break, they act as a fast rising, unstoppable wall of water. This beaches, where I was enjoying had witness the black day when many people lost their lives. And today, there is memorial park built in memory of them.
This memorial park serves as a solemn, open air tribute to the victims of the devastating December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Approx more 800 people has lost their lives in this very beaches. The beaches which was appearing so calm and relaxing started to scare me. One tragedy already happened to me ans the thought of such major yragedies simply gave me goosebumps. The memorial park is situated farther away from the sea waves. When I visited the place, it was closed for public. Yet I peeps I side the iron gate to aee the view of the park.
It appeared to be quite clean and well maintained. Tourists often visit it naturally while walking between major local attractions without needing a separate trip. The memorial is set inside a landscaped garden with walkways, benches, and modern sculptures, offering peaceful ocean views alongside the poignant reminder of the tragedy.
The major attraction has been the artwork at the centre of the park. It depicts one hand holding back a colossal blue wave while the other holds a lamp of diya (hope), symbolizing human resilience and strength in the face of disaster.
In my childhood days, my Dad always used to warn us not to mess with water. And this place is quite a reminder that destructive power of nature can swallowed anyone. Tragedy do happens and natural one are simply unavoidable. I wish I could have getba chamce to take stroll inside. But seeing putside a silence has covered the entire park.
In good faith - Peace!!