Its been one year since the deadly Tsunami struck South East Asia and destroyed the lives of thousands of people. Rendering many homeless Tsunami has become a household term in this part of the country, synonymous with death and destruction. But if there's anything to be learnt from this past one year, it is that whatever adversities the killer waves may have brought upon them the courage and spirit shown by the people in battling them never waned once in this past year. The Tsunami took away many lives in its wake, but it could never take away the spirit of the people. The way people have rallied around inspite of all the hardships and threat of epidemic outbreaks is awe-inspiring to say the least.
I remember sitting in the Marina beach on Dec 25th looking at the waves, the kids playing with the sand, mothers anxiuosly looking out for their kids, dads making mud-castles for their kids...thinking that even amdist all this, there is tranquility. Then to come home the next day and awakening to horrifying news of the calamity was most shocking.
Over the past one year the media has been tracking all the 'destruction' stories. But taking the cue from the Times of India which has done a special post under the guidance of our president APJ Abdul Kalam, the rest of the media should highlight the stories of people who rallied around and brought back their lives to normalcy and showed an amazing sense of grit and determination.
In sharp contrast to the incidents which happened when Hurricane Katrina struck the US Coast (yes, I am referring to the riots which broke out!), the people of India, those who were directly hit by the disaster and those who readily helped those in need, have indeed shown the world how unity and spirit in heart can restore happiness and joy under any adversity. This one year anniversary is indeed a celebration of unity and brotherhood. I bow to them. To call them Victims is wrong, they are Survivors.
Peace.
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