Monday, December 27, 2004

The day after tomorrow........

The day after Christmas in the year 2004 will forever remain etched in the mind of chennaites and to those, whose lives changed forever after those killer waves crashed onto their loved ones.

Wherever I put my eyes on I can only see death and destruction. Life has come to a standstill in Chennai on 26th Dec 04. It was around 6:30 AM (IST) when I felt the first tremor that rocked Chennai. The tremors continued for about 15-20 min. After the experience of Gujarat earthquake (I was in Mumbai that time), I understood that the epicenter of the quake would be somewhere away.

Little did I know what was in store for the day?

The first Tsunamis struck at around 9:30 AM (IST). I was at home when I heard the chaos…..people running around in panic. At first, I couldn’t understand what had happened. There was lot of confusion…..and rumors started spreading. It was only when my friend, who was at the beach, called me up that I could get the true picture. I rushed out of my house towards the beach (curiosity……..it’s in our genes).

And then I saw something which made my heart froze. A huge wave….. almost equal to a two storey building ……..and still increasing…….came crashing onto the beach. People were running everywhere…….for their dear life.

'Life'....huh!!! .....the word has given a new meaning to me now. I understand how precious are the days when one feels the warmth of their loved ones all around them....what it takes to wipe tears of others while holding back ones own. True how a shocking incident can test our….. character.

By 12:00 PM (IST) the actual extent of devastation began to sink in……overturned catamarans…….sinking fishing boats…………merchant ships struck to each others...… floating planks…..and above all thousands and thousands of human lives. What makes the situation worse is the fact that majority of the dead were children who were either playing or had come with their parents for a walk on the beach.

The epic devastation of Bhuj and Latur earthquake on land remains etched in the country’s collective consciousness……..one more has been added……

Its night know when I write ……deathly silence engulfs us all…….broken only by the roaring sound of waves crashing onto the beach.

It has been a day of grief…..pain…..but as life goes on……the agony of those who have left their dear ones…….will be overcome…….I know they will…..


WE SHALL OVERCOME
WE SHALL OVERCOME
WE SHALL OVERCOME……….SOMEDAY
O DEEP IN OUR HEARTS
I DO BELIEVE
WE SHALL OVERCOME
SOMEDAY