A person and a nations character emerges at times of adversity and tragedy. The following are the 10 lessons to be learnt from the worst tragedy to strike Japan in the last 50 years:
1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.
2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.
3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, buildings swayed but did not fall.
4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so that everybody could get something.
5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.
6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the Nuclear reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.
8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.
9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in their bulletins. No silly and sensational reporting. Only calm reportage.
10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly.
Dignity and being respectful should not be mistaken for weakness. The Japanese have proven that in the second world war and now again in completely different circumstances. We can only salute the character of Japan.
No comments:
Post a Comment