By Thilinika Wijesinghe
Ten years ago, when Sri Lanka had to face an unknown giant, Tsunami, little did we know that lives would change in massive ways.
The kid who lost both her parents is now 10 years old, but now an orphan. A tidal wave changed the way we look at life, the way we think and the way we face life.
We received support from around the world to rebuild the nation. And we did rebuild. When the civil war was the only menace in the country that killed lives, the Tsunami, (which some referred to as ‘Tee-Sunami’) within a few seconds took away the lives of many, not leaving a single footprint letting the waves wash away every single mark.
That was 10 years ago. The country that holds the massive Himalayas is now in devastation. The 7.9 massive earthquake which has struck the country has taken lives of over 4000 now leaving them homeless. Rescue operations are yet in progress and rescuers have mentioned that there could be a number of others lost. The earthquake which struck the country after almost 80 years has destroyed the historical monuments in the country. The much treasured, the much protected historical monuments are no more?
This is not a read on earthquakes or the post development of Nepal. Rather a thinking on how strange life could be. Groups of Australians had flown to Nepal, since it was the annual climbing season and is now left in the cold Himalayas, without any mode of communication leaving them face the ‘survival of the fittest’. Even in a world which is one global community? Where technology has surpassed every other thing?
On the other side of the coin, when technology is fast growing, yet the world remains static not being able to find solutions to these natural calamities. Quoted below is an extract taken from IRIN-Humanitarian News and Analysis and was certainly triggering news to read.
“KATHMANDU, 26 April 2013 (IRIN) - It is the nightmare scenario aid workers and government officials have long feared: a massive earthquake striking Nepal’s densely populated Kathmandu Valley, with tens of thousands feared dead. In terms of per capita casualty risk, the valley - as the area is known locally - is the most dangerous place in the world.
The capital city and its surrounding suburbs of some 2.5 million people sit in one of the most seismically active areas of the world; declining or non-existent construction standards, haphazard urban development and a population growing 4 percent annually have compounded the risk.
While disaster preparedness awareness has increased, protracted political instability has weakened risk reduction potential. The last major earthquake (1934) flattened Kathmandu, killing thousands and destroying 20 percent of the city’s buildings.”
If in 2013 such damage was predicted, then why weren’t the big players in the world scientific arena not able to develop a new initiative to waive this earthquake off, or rather save the lives of all these innocent people? What went wrong?
It’s not that innovation doesn’t take place; it’s not that the world has stopped moving forward in science, then what is it?
This takes us to one core factor, and that is the world certainly is being guided by an unknown power. A power that we cannot describe. The argument and debate of science Vs religion can never be argued and done neither can a winner be selected. Both dominate us. Hence, as individuals who are born to this world with nothing, and who strive to earn everything should remember one thing. And that is life could be such a fragile element where even you would not have the strength to hold it. Take control of yourself and realize the truth that life could be changed within a matter of seconds. Be prepared for it. Don’t fight with your loved ones over trivial issues, don’t argue with your boss at work and take away all the happiness at your workplace, don’t see a person suffering and laugh at their despair, don’t underestimate the value of another when he/ she tries to explain, always have time for your loved ones since you never know when life would change.
It’s never too late to try. Each moment you build up an anger, hatred or fear, read this article from top to bottom and trust me, you will always realize that life is far better than you think.
Live your life today and make the best of it.
(The writer is the Digital Media Coordinator for Seylan Bank PLC)