USS Nimitz crew docks at tsunami-village

Chennai, July 3: For tiny tots of the tsunami-hit Kanathur area, it was an encounter of the third kind when a 50-member crew of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz decided to 'anchor' there for a brief interaction this morning.

As part of the community service, the crew formed groups and indulged in different social work activities to further the bonding and get an appreciation of the culture from their special audience.

After hours of painting, cleaning up the classrooms of a panchayat union primary school and planting saplings, the crew donated gift articles and T-shirts to the children.

''We are, indeed, glad to be here, after several days out at sea. The friendliness of the people here is overwhelming and the weather, contrary to what we feared, is quite pleasant. It is absolutely wonderful to work with these children,'' Megan said.

The next berthing was at the nearby Jaganath Tempele 'to know the culture of India.'

They were obviously thrilled. This was the shortest runway to their acquaintance with the local flavour and famed Indian culture and traditions.

Amazed at the sculptures in the temple, Jeffery said: ''This memory will go a long way.'' For women, boys and girls, many of them orphans or destitutes after the 'Black Sunday,' which ravaged the coastline, a tryst with the world's only super power came as a welcome break and for the sailors, they left with memories so sweet that will carry them home.

UNI

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