Sixth Tsunami Baby Arrives

24 December 2008 — Amritapuri

After the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, several women from the villages surrounding Amritapuri came to Amma telling of a peculiar and tragic plight. Not only had they lost their children in the disaster, they were also unable to have more, as they had long back opted to undergo tubal ligation as a form of birth control. Moved by their situation, Amma sponsored tubal-ligation reversal surgeries for anyone interested {news}.

In the end, six women underwent the rare procedure. First baby was born in Sep 2006 {news}. Today the final couple—Appu and Luna of Parayakkadavu—brought their new baby for Amma’s darshan. The baby was just 11 weeks old. He was born one month premature, but was healthy and happy when placed today for the first time in Amma’s arms. Amma named him Krishnanunni.

The names of Luna and Appu’s children that drown on 26 December 2004 were Akhil, 8, and Akhila, 11.

Speaking with ashram residents, Luna said, “I feel somewhat assuaged. We lost two. At least we got one back.”

Appu said, “It was Amma who was ready to give life to those who lost it. It was Amma who sent us to the various doctors and hospitals. It was Amma who encouraged us. She assured us we would succeed. It was her prayer that made it all happen. All the women sent for this procedure in the end bore children. So we believe it was Amma’s sankalpa that made it happen.”

—Tulasi

FatherMotherPlaceChild1Child2DobStarLost1Lost2
Pradeep (34)Asha (27)AzheekkalAmritesh (M)14Apr2007KarthikaPratibha (10F)Kripa (6F)
SreejithLiji (29)AzheekkalEknath (M)AmritaKripa (F)30Oct2006SwathiAlishjith (8F)Kalidas (4M)
Baby (28)Priya (25)AzheekkalAparna (F)13Sep2006 Kiran (4.5M)Kingini(1.5F)
Paul (36)Lini (28)AzheekkalAlwin (M)Atul (M)31Mar2007 Prince (2.5M)Nikhil (0.1M)
Surajit (42)Sarita (30)SrayikkadAditya (M)Gayatri (F)1Jun2008BharaniUnni (1.5M)
AppuLunaPrayakadavKrishnanunni (M)Oct2008 Akhila (11F)Akhil (8M)

Watch the photos of tsunami babies here