For 102 survivors of the 63-year-old Nagasaki-Hiroshima bombings, who are currently on a global voyage on a 'Peace Boat', it is still a daily battle in their sunset years as they continue to grapple with various ailments caused due to the nuclear radiation.
The survivors are on a three-month global journey on board the Japanese vessel--Peace Boat--to share their experiences.
Kochi is the only Indian port, the ship touched during the journey.
Eighty three-year-old Katayama Fumie, one among the passengers, told reporters that she was 20 years old when the bombings took place. She was exposed to radiation about 1.1 km from the hypo-centre in Hiroshima. Since then, she has suffered many diseases including tinnitus syndrome and cancer.
"I have survived for 63 years. That has taught me which path to take for the rest of my life and that is to work to abolish nuclear weapons," she said.
Despite her sufferings, she has formed a group of Hibakushas (survivors of the bombings) and has been giving lectures and testimonials of her experience.
She said after the bombings she started losing weight drastically. "My stomach was like that of a pregnant woman. After many treatments, the doctors told me to prepare for my funeral. I am still surviving and it is my mission to tell people to abolish war and embrace peace," she said.
Eighty-seven-year-old Tomiko Fujiwara, who is the oldest member of the group, said her lymphatic glands were affected. The bombings took place when she was travelling by train and the glass panes shattered and her body was pierced by the glass pieces.
