Lessons from Crisis - 2/52

Universe >> Milky Way >> Solar System >> Earth >> Asia >> India >> Kerala.

That's the address for my Home State of Kerala.

This year, on 25th of August, this small state of 14 districts was planning to celebrate the harvest festival of Onam. And as you might have already heard, all such plans were cancelled because of the worst flood to hit this side of the country in over a century.

Having received heavy monsoon rains for over two weeks, 35 of the 42 dams in the state had to be opened, which resulted in flooding of the low lying areas. Kerala is known for receiving heavy downpour during this season, but a three fold increase in rain was too much to handle. We experienced first hand the power of water to bring life to a halt.

A death toll of 375+; over 3 lakh people being evacuated from their homes and being housed in over 5000 relief camps across the state; landslides across the state making many areas inaccessible for relief and rescue; entire homes getting submerged in water, soaking every piece of material possession that family had.

My relatives have had water rise up to the roof level of their house, leaving mud on each and every piece of garment they have. I have colleagues who could do nothing but watch helplessly as water engulfed their newly constructed house. I know people who had their entire stock of wares get waterlogged in a matter of hours.

People were stranded in their own homes for days- with no power supply, no clean water, meagre food supply and no knowledge of what was happening elsewhere. To come back from the haunting memories of that trauma would require herculean efforts.

No one in this part of the world knew of a disaster of such proportions, but if you look at the way the entire state swung into action for rescue and relief, you would have been mislead to believe that they handle these situations on a regular basis.

As the water recedes, leaving in its aftermath tales of grief and misfortune, we as a State are determined to rebuild on the positives.

• Like how social media can be a powerful tool in such events, playing its' part in co-ordinating rescue activities and distribution of relief materials.
• Like people setting aside their differences in ideologies - religious and political - to help each other in this time of need.
• Like the Mr.Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram District, trying to get help from UN and WHO, in his own individual capacity and on his own expenses.
• Like the credibility shown by the Media houses to nip in the bud many fake news being spread on social media.
• Like the maturity of the Keralities to ignore the mass hatred shown on social media towards Kerala at the time of distress to concentrate on those who needed their help. And I must equally compliment them for making sure that these comments are not forgotten now.

I can show you hundreds of pictures and stories showing the havoc caused in Kerala. Instead I chose to let you see the following pictures, which lets us know that humanity still exists. 

1. Saying Thanks to the REAL SUPERHEROES. The Fishermen community was in full force at the water logged places, taking the lead role in the rescue operations. Their efforts were, and will never be forgotten.

2. Saying THANKS for the Chopper Rescue. With their home becoming an island, people were forced to climb on to the roof to escape the rising water. And they were rescued by the brave sons of the country using Helicopters.

3. Showing the way forward. The calamity has hit the state during festive season. Even though a decision was taken unanimously to not celebrate the same at the usually grand levels, the following picture from a relief camp reminds us how we used to celebrate - together.

4. Every rupee counts. The magnanimity of an eight year old, Ms.Anupriya in donating her entire savings towards the relief fund overshadows the lack of central aid and rejection of foreign aid. And the response from the company is truly amazing.

5. Techies to the rescue. Not every man can tame the sea, but everyone can help those capable to do so. These brilliant minds decided to help their brethren by making these effective power banks to be airdropped at the rescue locations.

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The JK (pheno)Menon

When I heard that this person bought a Force Gurkha, I thought WHY??

When he pulled the following stunt by crossing a river using that Gurkha, I again thought WHY??

When he saved dozens of lives and helped in distribution of relief materials using the same Gurkha over the last week, I knew WHY.