REFUGEE

CHENNAI: For Kandasamy Dharmalingam (43), a daily wage earner, the day dawned bright on Saturday. Unused to even the smallest luxuries in his

cramped living quarters in the drab ghetto in Puzhal in Chennai's northern suburbs, a brand new colour television was to soon add a touch of colour.
The Puzhal refugee camp for Sri Lankan Tamils, who sought refuge in Indian shores at the peak of the Eelam war, wore a festive look. Barely a month after the Tamil Nadu government announced that the freebies and welfare schemes for locals would also be extended to the 70,000-odd refugees spread across 115 camps dotting the state, deputy chief minister MK Stalin arrived at the Puzhal camp, with free colour television sets for every family here.
Though some of the families in the camp, falling within Tiruvallur district, could afford to buy television sets, the DMK government's gift "gives us a sense of belonging," Dharmalingam said, beaming. "Now all we want are permanent houses. If we get that we will stay here permanently," he said. He and his family had been staying in the camp for 20 years.
Stalin distributed colour television sets to all the 440 families staying at the Puzhal camp on Saturday. He also presented sports kits worth Rs 25,000 each to the inmates and marriage assistance of Rs 20,000 to a poor girl.
On the eve of Stalin's visit, the camp wore a festive look with the premises being cleared of bushes and the broken down bathrooms and toilets wearing a new look. The playground at the camp was also spruced up with the authorities clearing it and laying a new road. Electric posts were also erected.
Speaking at the simple function, Stalin said the Kalaignar Insurance Scheme would be extended to all the Sri Lankan Tamils staying here. "We will no longer call them refugees. As insisted by the chief minister, we regard them as our brethren from Sri Lanka. The government is committed to their welfare and all help would be extended for their wellbeing," he told TOI.

Recalling the recent announcement by the chief minister M Karunanidhi that a total of Rs 100 crore would be spent towards the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils living in the state, Stalin said steps would be taken to construct houses for them. The school and college going students will get free bus passes. Stalin also ordered construction of a ration shop at the Puzhal camp venue at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh.