Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Let’s fight it hand in hand
Ayubowan. I’m back after a long break, hoping that all of you have the strength and courage to move forward in the aftermath of the tragedy that took place over the Christmas weekend. My heartfelt condolences are extended to those who were victims of this disaster. Two weeks to the day the coastline experienced this nature’s unexpected, unwelcome, destructive visitor, tsunamis take up the bulk of our thoughts in one way or the other.

The deceptive force of nature has never been clearer. Those hit by the tsunamis probably never knew what it was – and by the time they realised its enormity, it was, in most cases, too late. They say this is the first time that Sri Lanka is experiencing it in living memory and for many their happy memories and reasons for living were washed away with the receding tidal waves.

The tsunamis left in its wake, destruction, despair, and helplessness – one cannot even begin to imagine the plight of the millions who are homeless and the hundreds of orphaned children. The selflessness expressed by many private citizens is amazing – this national catastrophe seems to have finally opened the eyes of many to the fickle nature of life. Hours were initially spent glued to the TV, disbelieving the horror unfolding in front of their eyes. Then the shock set in when many finally realised how many of those they knew, loved and cared about were probably there on that day.

Quiet desperation has now set in for those who survived but lost everything else. For those who lost their loved ones, nothing we say or do can take away the horror of it. What remains is for us to hope that they will come through this. Along with our donations of food, water, money, medicine and clothes, we must not forget that they need our help to get back on their feet. They need our loving concern and patient assistance more than anything else. Since not much thought has been given to the psychological impact that the whole nation experienced as a result of this incident, the after effects are sure to be felt far down the line in the future in the least unexpected ways.

During the two weeks since the disaster, some people have really surprised me with displays of their hidden sensitive natures (like John even though it did kick in kinda late, delayed reaction as always, I guess but he did make up for it with his dedication afterwards). I guess we should be glad that there are many who are human and humane. And yet, there are those “human vultures” who continue to take advantage by exploiting this tragedy. Unconfirmed reports abound of child abuse, rape and “treasure hunting” from the dead – it comes to a point where nothing surprises you anymore. The saving grace that we as a nation have, is that the majority who care, far outweigh the minority who don’t.

One small request: if you have any queries about how you can help the survivors in a more sustained effort towards rebuilding the nation and where to channel your donations of time, money, energy and kind, please drop a note to notsoplainjane@hotmail.com

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