Brave Japanese facing situation with remarkable resilience
Monday, 11 April 2011
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury
Japan, reeling in the aftermath of the catastrophic quakes and tsunami that struck the country a month ago, was rattled by a magnitude 7.4 aftershock sending new fear and uncertainty for the nation. The March 11 quake and subsequent tsunami had earlier caused the loss of nearly 25,000 lives, tearing apart hundreds of thousands of homes, rendering scores homeless and sparking a on-going crisis at a nuclear power plant. However, the latest onslaught on April 7 has been a relief in the sense that it has not caused any alarming destructions. Japan, one of the most technologically advanced nations of the world, and a global economic power, is facing the worst situation since the World War II, with destruction of an unimaginable proportion to both men and materials, by the fury of nature. The severe onslaught of the nature ravaged vast areas in several prefectures of the country turning the lively sites into a heap of destruction. Japan is also facing a meltdown of reactors at a quake-hit nuclear plant as the details of the March 11 natural disaster came as a horror not only for Japan, also for countries but far beyond. Large areas in the coastal areas, mainly along the Pacific have been virtually wiped out, leaving the Japanese to mourn the dead, struggling to provide medical treatment to the scores of injured and shelter to the countless rendered homeless by the devastation. Many people across a devastated swath of the country were without food, water and electricity for several days. It is somewhat unthinkable for any humanity, especially in countries like Japan with so much of development and enormous resources in their possession. But human beings are still unfortunately largely helpless before the natural disasters and the devastation in Japan has once again brought to the fore this harsh truth. Notwithstanding the fact that science and technology are making wonders including spectacular achievements like sending men to the moon, mankind are undoubtedly hapless in facing the unpredictable fury of the nature and this is the axiomatic truth. Our hearts go out in sympathy with our fellow brethren with Japan like other nations. We also mourn the dead of a brotherly country, which has steadfastly stood by Bangladesh in all its major developmental efforts. The woes of Japan know no bounds as a big number of people are facing a terrible situation, caused by the quakes and tsunami and the nation is grappling with myriad problems including the nuclear-related crises. We in south Asia are vulnerable to the natural disasters and as such countries of this region are familiar with the fury of nature that often strikes the region in the form of cyclones, floods, earthquakes and different forms of severe storms taking huge toll of lives. All these occurrences bring devastations that virtually cripple the economy of a country. The latest such onslaught in south Asia was the catastrophic floods in Pakistan and that country is still reeling from the severe devastations last year. India and Pakistan earlier experienced earthquakes while drought is a regular phenomenon in this part of the world. We, in Bangladesh, are the worst victims of floods and cyclones that ravage our coastal areas with tidal bore and death toll being often simply appalling. Such deluge takes away precious crops; the communications and other infrastructures are also too badly damaged by such natural disasters. The pain and anguish of the devastations are so common for us that as if we have to live with the cruel reality. Unquestionably, Japan has most developed equipment at its disposal to face any serious situation created by natural disasters. Yet, the country is also largely helpless since the severity of the latest onslaught is such that technology can do little to help mitigate the woes and sufferings of the people, caused by the fury of the nature. Incidentally, an important international conference was held in the Kobe city of Japan a few years ago in which south Asian nations including Bangladesh along with many other nations prone to natural disasters took part. The "Kobe Declaration" had adopted a series of recommendations that detailed measures to be taken to help contain the consequences of the natural disasters while admitting that nothing substantial can be done to control such occurrences. It is still not known how far progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the conference that was inaugurated by the Emperor himself. It is possible that the recommendations gathered dust like many other outcomes of such much-hyped gatherings. But this conference on natural disaster was qualitatively different and should merit a different consideration. The crying need for implementing the recommendations as far as possible is too obvious and the international community can ill afford to turn a blind eye to, or indifference towards, such an area of crucial importance for the survival of the human beings. It is imperative that the world takes a more serious note of such issues. Tokyo's concerns are too colossal in every term and the nuclear radiation issue has added a dangerous element as damage was inflicted upon several reactors by the catastrophe. Even a country like Japan is struggling to cope with the a hugely difficult situation. When prime minister Naoto Kan addresses the nation or a graphic description of the devastations are brought before the world by the media, we all can well understand the gravity of the situation. The world is still largely helpless before the fury of nature! But we all have to face such calamities with great courage and fortitude. The brave people of the "Land of Rising Sun" are facing the gigantic situation with remarkable resilience. The nuclear radiation and other problems are a big challenge for that country, which is sparing no effort to help the recovery from a scratch in the devastated areas. The latest onslaught gives enough indication that Japan may face further natural jolts of different magnitude. But, all are confident that the country will gain enough strength to face any eventuality, despite severity of the occurrences and in the process recover from the losses even though the task is massive. (E-mail: naveed1196@gmail.com)
Japan, reeling in the aftermath of the catastrophic quakes and tsunami that struck the country a month ago, was rattled by a magnitude 7.4 aftershock sending new fear and uncertainty for the nation. The March 11 quake and subsequent tsunami had earlier caused the loss of nearly 25,000 lives, tearing apart hundreds of thousands of homes, rendering scores homeless and sparking a on-going crisis at a nuclear power plant. However, the latest onslaught on April 7 has been a relief in the sense that it has not caused any alarming destructions. Japan, one of the most technologically advanced nations of the world, and a global economic power, is facing the worst situation since the World War II, with destruction of an unimaginable proportion to both men and materials, by the fury of nature. The severe onslaught of the nature ravaged vast areas in several prefectures of the country turning the lively sites into a heap of destruction. Japan is also facing a meltdown of reactors at a quake-hit nuclear plant as the details of the March 11 natural disaster came as a horror not only for Japan, also for countries but far beyond. Large areas in the coastal areas, mainly along the Pacific have been virtually wiped out, leaving the Japanese to mourn the dead, struggling to provide medical treatment to the scores of injured and shelter to the countless rendered homeless by the devastation. Many people across a devastated swath of the country were without food, water and electricity for several days. It is somewhat unthinkable for any humanity, especially in countries like Japan with so much of development and enormous resources in their possession. But human beings are still unfortunately largely helpless before the natural disasters and the devastation in Japan has once again brought to the fore this harsh truth. Notwithstanding the fact that science and technology are making wonders including spectacular achievements like sending men to the moon, mankind are undoubtedly hapless in facing the unpredictable fury of the nature and this is the axiomatic truth. Our hearts go out in sympathy with our fellow brethren with Japan like other nations. We also mourn the dead of a brotherly country, which has steadfastly stood by Bangladesh in all its major developmental efforts. The woes of Japan know no bounds as a big number of people are facing a terrible situation, caused by the quakes and tsunami and the nation is grappling with myriad problems including the nuclear-related crises. We in south Asia are vulnerable to the natural disasters and as such countries of this region are familiar with the fury of nature that often strikes the region in the form of cyclones, floods, earthquakes and different forms of severe storms taking huge toll of lives. All these occurrences bring devastations that virtually cripple the economy of a country. The latest such onslaught in south Asia was the catastrophic floods in Pakistan and that country is still reeling from the severe devastations last year. India and Pakistan earlier experienced earthquakes while drought is a regular phenomenon in this part of the world. We, in Bangladesh, are the worst victims of floods and cyclones that ravage our coastal areas with tidal bore and death toll being often simply appalling. Such deluge takes away precious crops; the communications and other infrastructures are also too badly damaged by such natural disasters. The pain and anguish of the devastations are so common for us that as if we have to live with the cruel reality. Unquestionably, Japan has most developed equipment at its disposal to face any serious situation created by natural disasters. Yet, the country is also largely helpless since the severity of the latest onslaught is such that technology can do little to help mitigate the woes and sufferings of the people, caused by the fury of the nature. Incidentally, an important international conference was held in the Kobe city of Japan a few years ago in which south Asian nations including Bangladesh along with many other nations prone to natural disasters took part. The "Kobe Declaration" had adopted a series of recommendations that detailed measures to be taken to help contain the consequences of the natural disasters while admitting that nothing substantial can be done to control such occurrences. It is still not known how far progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the conference that was inaugurated by the Emperor himself. It is possible that the recommendations gathered dust like many other outcomes of such much-hyped gatherings. But this conference on natural disaster was qualitatively different and should merit a different consideration. The crying need for implementing the recommendations as far as possible is too obvious and the international community can ill afford to turn a blind eye to, or indifference towards, such an area of crucial importance for the survival of the human beings. It is imperative that the world takes a more serious note of such issues. Tokyo's concerns are too colossal in every term and the nuclear radiation issue has added a dangerous element as damage was inflicted upon several reactors by the catastrophe. Even a country like Japan is struggling to cope with the a hugely difficult situation. When prime minister Naoto Kan addresses the nation or a graphic description of the devastations are brought before the world by the media, we all can well understand the gravity of the situation. The world is still largely helpless before the fury of nature! But we all have to face such calamities with great courage and fortitude. The brave people of the "Land of Rising Sun" are facing the gigantic situation with remarkable resilience. The nuclear radiation and other problems are a big challenge for that country, which is sparing no effort to help the recovery from a scratch in the devastated areas. The latest onslaught gives enough indication that Japan may face further natural jolts of different magnitude. But, all are confident that the country will gain enough strength to face any eventuality, despite severity of the occurrences and in the process recover from the losses even though the task is massive. (E-mail: naveed1196@gmail.com)