Morning – informal interactions with academic leaders like Dr. Ignacimuthu, Dr. Casimir Raj, Dr. Anthonydas the Principal and several other.

Visit to Koothankulam bird sanctuary – chiefly Pelicans and ducks (white winged and possibly wood duck?) and some herons and cormorants

Warm welcome by Mr. Cherian and family at Thoothukudy. He took us around the small town, the beach, the salt fields, the thermal reactors, the famous Koil Mata church. It was so gracious and generous of him – a great sign of trust. Reached INS Parundu some 14 kilometres from Ramanathpuram in the direciton of Rameswaram. There were water bodies galore en-route which were used by men and women for all their water needs other than that of drinking and cooking. And some of them had good birding as well. Warmly received by Captain P.S. Menon on behalf of the Heartian Captain Shinod, who was earlier posted here. Guests houses were made available to us and we parted after an enjoyable evening with officers in their mess.