When the Earth trembles, borders crumble
The earthquake that struck the three countries of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan while certainly catastrophic, can also be described as ironic. It struck the borders of India and Pakistan. Pakistan bore the brunt of the quake, with nearly 20,000 officially declared casualties, amidst speculation that the number could double. Nearly 70% of houses in PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) have been destroyed.
For 58 years, the countries have been quarelling and disagreeing over the land that, in moments, was laid waste by a shudder of the Earth. What were they arguing about then? Those borders drawn on paper that have caused so much bloodshed and ill-will between the countries...where are they now? Amidst all the sorrow that engulfed the humanity in the affected regions, there was heartening news too...the armies of both countries, which were till then deployed solely to keep each other at bay, reached out beyond borders to help the victims. But should we wait for disaster to strike us before we dive deep within ourselves and discover the spring-well of human kindness that forever oozes from our hearts?
Australia has, as always, been quick in offering relief. The country has promised$5.5 million in aid. One recalls with what speed and alacrity Australia had responded when the tsunami struck in December 2004, offering close to a billion dollars worth relief, overwhelming the world by its generosity. Boy, I sure am proud of living in Australia!
If you are reading this blog, I request you to pray silently for a minute for the suffering thousands. But above all, pray also that good sense prevails over the minds of men, and we come to realize how vain and transient our petty squabbles are in the face of Nature's fury.
