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October 2005 Newsletter By Chaitra D. Krishna Chaitra Krishna, a computer science graduate student at LSU shares her views on the series of disasters that has happened recently and urges everyone to come together during these difficult times. Post your comments at cdevar1@lsu.edu
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". Congreve has aptly expressed this, but here, the woman I refer to is Mother Nature. Testimony being the earthquake that quivered India and Pakistan on the 8th of October. A massive temblor that measured 7.6 on the Richter, and annihilated lives on a scale just as massive. Well, apparently, this is not the only grave incident to have ravaged present time.
"I was elated when I went back to New Orleans after we were relocated..... My house and all its belongings were intact! It's something that I had never imagined...." These words were those of my friend and roommate, Shwetha, who is one among the several thousands relocated from New Orleans owing to Hurricane Katrina.
Prior to this disaster, Mumbai too witnessed a deluge that caused many lives to succumb. More than 20000 families that lived in low-lying areas were affected, and the entire city was disrupted. And before that, there was the tsunami. I believe, everyone is quite aware about the havoc and the destruction caused by the tsunami. There is perhaps nothing more left for me to say about this. Living within the safe confines of my home, I had fortune of being spared the travail experienced by the victims, although I felt a sense of uneasiness and chagrin on how nature had exhibited her fury in such a savage manner. What is the basis on which a section of people were chosen randomly to lose their lives, or worse yet, to live with the indelible scars that form in the wake of such calamities, something they have to contend with for the rest of their lives? Does God play favorites?
These questions have haunted me, and I am yet to find cogent answers that will put this turbulence to rest. But, I strongly believe that, sooner or later, even if you don't find the answers, the answers come looking for you. Man, over the ages, has discovered that there is just one way to be born, but several thousand ways to die. And natural calamities only reiterate this truth. The hurricane at New Orleans is my closest encounter to any sort of disaster yet, given that I presently live in the affected state of Louisiana. Although I am not one among the unfortunate people who lived in New Orleans, the fact that I live close to it had my family back in India anxious, and understandably so. But the whole thing had a sort of surreal effect on me. I refused to believe that I could in any way be affected, and I allowed a strange sense of complacency to set in. It wasn't long before I realized that I was also affected, albeit indirectly. The first instance of this happened when a displaced family from New Orleans came over and occupied the apartment next door. An old lady who used to sit outside proved to be my best source of information. Initially, I was a trifle eager to interact with people who have had a first-hand encounter with the hurricane. As I met with her, my curiosity got the better of my verbal restraint, and I candidly enquired about the hurricane and its effects on them. It was only when I heard her say that her house was entirely flooded and didn't have a home to get back to, did I realize the gravity of the situation.
We often listen to tales of ravage and destruction caused by disasters of various forms. People have such a surfeit of such things, that after a certain point of time, they are hardened. Adapting a philosophical point of view once again awakens the same unanswered questions about why things happen the way they do. Our minds are conformed to understand things or events based on perspicuous, rational reasoning. But then, can we arrive at a mathematical formula to predict the next place which will be affected? Well, it is true, that scientific observations have helped a great deal in saving numerous lives. Early predictions on calamities have forestalled great disasters, but they all stop short at an impasse. It is at this point that human intervention to prevent them has proved futile.
Well, there are two ways to deal with this: One way is to keep brooding over the number of families affected, on how innocent lives were killed, and on the transience of human life. Mere introspection, alas, would offer little help in terms of offering any form of solace to the affected. The other way, is to do your bit to alleviate the suffering that has been inflicted on them. This may seem an intimidating task, but it is surprising to know that it is within the reach of you and me. Needless to say, there are innumerable volunteers, non-profit organizations which offer selfless and dedicated service, and their efforts are commendable. Then, there is compensation from the government in areas like heath-care and medicine, finance and food supply. But, we sometimes tend to overlook the psychological effects that these disasters can cause.
In times of turmoil, frustration, and feelings of desolateness can take over. And little gestures of kindness have the potential to uplift the minds of these people and lighten their encumbrance. The old lady I mentioned just wanted someone to talk to and share her tales of trouble. A few kind words, in effect, could potentially bring about a bigger change. Some ways to achieve this include counseling, offering moral support and encouragement, and an opportunity to start all over again.
Every one has an opportunity to make a difference. This difference need not mean to change the whole world and turn it topsy-turvy. Great feats start with small and worthy endeavors. Although it is quite natural for all of us to be overwhelmed with our lives, caught as we are in the web of daily routine; it does not take too much to create a little space for our brethren.
So today, there was an earthquake, tomorrow, there might be another. Although we haven't found ways to circumvent these events, we can be prepared to confront such situations if we repudiate our sense of helplessness and strive to make the difference we could. It might take weeks for some to recuperate from the shock and injuries caused by the quake. It might take months or years for some. For others yet, the wounds could be irrevocable. But what we fail to realize is that these predicaments can make us better prepared, can bring people of all sects and races together, and can strengthen our spirits. Which is why even an adversity could possess a redeeming quality. It is the courage to accept and live on that matters. And more importantly, imparting this courage to others and make that elusive small difference that is within the reach of you and me. ____________________________ The views and opinions expressed in the guest column are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and the opinions of Association for India's Development, Inc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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