I respect the Japanese people in many ways. But the most important among their attributes is their discipline, simplicity or dedication to their work. There are indeed many leaves we can take out of their book. Therefore, I feel bad when my mind dwells on the recent misfortune that has befallen Japan. Although no country deserves such blunt fury from Nature, Japan has been an exceptional target when it comes to facing such hardships ranging from natural to man-inflicted.
No doubt the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were instrumental in bringing the second world war to a screeching halt. Yet, it will forever be condemned as one of the most horrific acts of Man on mankind. The aftermath of the nuclear bombings left deep and irreversible scars in Japan, so much so that the legecy was there for generations thereafter. Nature has also had her share in Japan's misgivings. As the archipelago is strategically situated on one of the most seismically active places on earth, Japan has forever been the victim of countless eathquakes and volcanic activities. So much so that it has become a way of life with them. Still, the Japanese have never faltered or given up. They have gathered all their resources and forged on ahead. Their immaculate discipline and hardworking nature has rendered Japan one the strongest economies of the world.
They were one of the fore-runners on the path to success when nature decided to have her way with them on 14th of March 2011 and unleashed her fury full-throttle on Japan in a form of a massive Tsunami and earthquake. People were still reeling from the massive shock of loss of life, property and means of livelihood when there boomed the monstrous threat of nuclear contamination from failure of their nuclear power plants, decapitated by the earthquake. In a morbid deja vu, Japan's worst nightmare has resurfaced. It is absolutely heartrending to see little children being scanned for radiation contamination.
The rest of the world clicks its collective tongue and murmurs sympathy, secretly relieved at being spared nature's wrath. Everyone agrees this is nature's retaliation to man's progress showing Man who is the boss. Then, they return home to watch the events in Japan unfold on their television sets while sharing space with the Cricket world cup. Every other country goes into protective mode and begins to put its own catastrophy management under the scanner. Audits are carried out in their respective nuclear power plants to check on their safety measures. More unscrupulous souls think of various ways of spreading panic among the masses through rumours. Numerous chain mails and SMSes are circulated warning forthcoming catastrophies like Acid rain, followed by others discrediting these claims. In this day when terrorism of all kinds is rampant, the least we can do is at least be honest to ourselves and considerate towards others. Even the traditional enemy of Japan, i.e. China has set all enmity aside to express solidarity for their suffering neighbour. It is ironical that there must be a grievous tragedy in order to find humanity in human beings.
Amid all the burgeoning chaos, we still see the people of Japan take stock of the situation and make a fresh start. It is, I think, their most admirable quality that has always helped them bounce back and I am confident that this time will be no exception. Hope is what makes the world go round. It is what we have.
No doubt the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were instrumental in bringing the second world war to a screeching halt. Yet, it will forever be condemned as one of the most horrific acts of Man on mankind. The aftermath of the nuclear bombings left deep and irreversible scars in Japan, so much so that the legecy was there for generations thereafter. Nature has also had her share in Japan's misgivings. As the archipelago is strategically situated on one of the most seismically active places on earth, Japan has forever been the victim of countless eathquakes and volcanic activities. So much so that it has become a way of life with them. Still, the Japanese have never faltered or given up. They have gathered all their resources and forged on ahead. Their immaculate discipline and hardworking nature has rendered Japan one the strongest economies of the world.
They were one of the fore-runners on the path to success when nature decided to have her way with them on 14th of March 2011 and unleashed her fury full-throttle on Japan in a form of a massive Tsunami and earthquake. People were still reeling from the massive shock of loss of life, property and means of livelihood when there boomed the monstrous threat of nuclear contamination from failure of their nuclear power plants, decapitated by the earthquake. In a morbid deja vu, Japan's worst nightmare has resurfaced. It is absolutely heartrending to see little children being scanned for radiation contamination.
The rest of the world clicks its collective tongue and murmurs sympathy, secretly relieved at being spared nature's wrath. Everyone agrees this is nature's retaliation to man's progress showing Man who is the boss. Then, they return home to watch the events in Japan unfold on their television sets while sharing space with the Cricket world cup. Every other country goes into protective mode and begins to put its own catastrophy management under the scanner. Audits are carried out in their respective nuclear power plants to check on their safety measures. More unscrupulous souls think of various ways of spreading panic among the masses through rumours. Numerous chain mails and SMSes are circulated warning forthcoming catastrophies like Acid rain, followed by others discrediting these claims. In this day when terrorism of all kinds is rampant, the least we can do is at least be honest to ourselves and considerate towards others. Even the traditional enemy of Japan, i.e. China has set all enmity aside to express solidarity for their suffering neighbour. It is ironical that there must be a grievous tragedy in order to find humanity in human beings.
Amid all the burgeoning chaos, we still see the people of Japan take stock of the situation and make a fresh start. It is, I think, their most admirable quality that has always helped them bounce back and I am confident that this time will be no exception. Hope is what makes the world go round. It is what we have.
