CHENNAI RAINS: CHENNAI HELPS CHENNAI
Hello Friends,
As I sit to write this post and recollect the happenings of last week, I realize that we have just emerged from one of the worst nightmares ever. A torturous time filled with harrowing experiences of: hunger, darkness, fear, uncertainty, loss and helplessness.
The different strata of society were hit alike, without any discrimination of poor or rich. Losses of homes and belongings were applicable to many and it had nothing to do with where one lived or what their bank balances were. People had money but did not have food, there was water everywhere but no running water, there were so many electronic gadgets but not a single tube light burned, fancy cars were parked but unable to move in neck deep water. Such a catastrophe was something we may have read in books or seen in movies, but to watch it live in front of our own eyes was traumatic and scary.
Opening Doors:
Small offices, medium sized companies, large organizations, shopping malls, marriage halls, schools, colleges and homes were open to invite strangers in and house them without any discrimination.
Volunteering Vigorously:
NGOs, college students, young actors, good Samaritans, other state citizens and civilians were actively involved in relief work. No one waited for the Government to come to help, they just stepped in and started doing their bit.
Coming Together:
Extended family, well-wishers, friends, NRI relatives, neighbours and strangers were all watching out for each other and doing every bit to help all those around. We may have just nodded at the other floor neighbor in the past few years, but here we were standing next to next and offering him your last sachet of milk.
Media Manning:
While initially the National channels may have missed to spotlight Chennai, they woke up and along with the regional channels there was some live coverage and answers to many unanswered issues.
Modi Visiting:
Amidst all this, we have Sri Narendra Modi coming down to Chennai and he goes around in a helicopter inspecting the extent of the loss. Accompanying him we see JJayalalitha taking down notes as she travels along with Modi and looking down at Chennai from a glass window.
Ramanan Rage:
Our meteorological department hero Mr.SR.Ramanan Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai continues to address the media channels updating all with his much awaited news bulletins. He is more popular than Superstar RajiniKanth as the entire Chennai await with bated breath for his weather predictions.
School Holidays:
With the rains pounding Chennai for the last one month we have schools and colleges on a holiday spree. On one end we see beaming school children, but also concerned college students wondering what will happen to exams. And all this is amidst school and college authorities vehemently debating how to complete syllabus.
Reservoirs Rising:
With the Chembarambakkam reservoir up to the brim, the water was released into the city when all hell broke loose. The fateful Wednesday night when suddenly all of us found that water levels were steadily increasing and reaching our ground floors.
Dying Unnoticed:
It was horrific to note that several loved ones were unable to get any timely medical attention and died without any help. Also hundreds succumbed to the floods as again they were not rescued in a timely manner.
Losing Heavily:
Several families and shops lost many important files, household items, clothes, utensils and are completely stranded. Specially the lower middle class and slums have lost significantly and are to build right from the scratch.
Rescue Operations:
The rescue missions were in full throttle with our Army Jawans, Navy and personnel from National Disaster Recovery Force collaborating to save many across the city. Hats off to these real heroes who were battling it out in the rain and who were the most equipped to help Chennai.
Garbage Galore:
Mounds of garbage from sand, muck, sewage, things, rubbish and all other forms of dirt are piled up in every street corner. Corporation workers and other forums are working overtime to clean up the city and bring back some hygiene to it.
Transport Travails:
Citizens were desperate to leave Chennai to be with their own families in other states or interior TamilNadu but had no means to do so. They were trapped in railway, bus stations and airport. Likewise those who had travelled and were desperate to return to Chennai were unable to do so and were put to great misery.
Learning Lessons:
The fury of nature exposed and moved us into a vulnerable position overnight. And none of our prized possessions or close family was able to salvage the situation. It taught us love and compassion would be the only driving factors for the future and the real satisfaction would come from giving.
PS: Are we out of the woods yet? Or is El Nino coming for us?
Fingers Crossed!
Bhuvana Rajaram
