Chennai: No festivities in Cowl bazaar

Chennai: With agricultural produce being washed away due to the recent floods, it was a sober Pongal for those living along the banks of the Adyar river in Kancheepuram district.

Cowl Bazaaar known for its jasmine cultivation, Pallavaram known for its livestock sandhai and Chitlapakkam known for its vegetable cultivation, wear a devastated look with crops merging in the Adyar river.

Lifeless walls with empty front yards on a Pongal day, un-whitewashed houses – these spoke of the lack of joy among the residents who said that the festival of harvests went off like any other day.

“We are not thankful to the rain god for destroying around 380 acres of agricultural land that was producing half a ton of jasmine flowers every day,” expressed T. Kannan,  a resident. Mattu Pongal day was also lacklustre.

“More than 60 cows and 30 goats were washed away. There is no scope of happiness this time,” said G. Babu of Cowl Bazaar.

Losing raw material for the weaves distressed Anakaputhur residents
who cannot now buy new clothes. “Natural dyes worth days of workmanship were swept away,” said A. Lila, a handloom weaver.

Mudichur residents lost produce including sugarcane, paddy and vegetables. “We were optimistic of the relief fund. However, as it did not reach us in time, we could not celebrate the festival,” said G. Raj  Kumar, another resident.

With prime livelihood taking a toll, farmers appeal to government to
donate saplings to start from scratch. “The move could make us optimistic for a grand Pongal at least next year,” said G. Babu.