A WEEK AFTER DISASTER, WE STAND STRONG

United We Stand

A week after Sikkim is hit by a massive earthquake measuring 6.8 magnitudes on Richter scale, many turmoil and difficult phases we have gone through. Many people lost their lives, many injured, many made homeless, and feared to death, many came back from death...........

Even after a week of disaster, we have not forgotten the situation we were in exactly a week ago. Remembering the moment, gives us a goose bumps. Oh! The bumpy ride we experienced.

 Sikkim, lies in one of the earthquake prone area of zone IV of high risk seismic zone. Though many people killed, injured....earthquake is not the real killer. Like in many places, the buildings and poor infrastructure and lack of adequate knowledge has led to many deaths. Knowing the fact that Sikkim could be worst hit, anyone even care and took measures that could prevent it from being worst? It has been seen that no one is well equipped, prepared and have adequate knowledge to tackle this kind of situation. The rescue and relief work which is going right now is mere a crisis management carried out after the incident. Did it occur to anyone before 18^th what do we do if earthquake really comes? No..having known of all the facts, still no one cared of the consequences. One may make a concept in their mind after reading these sentences of only criticizing rather than contributing in building Sikkim again. This all are what is going through people’s mind right now. Whatever has happened now could not be turned back, but what should be done now is a major concern for everyone. Now, after whatever we have gone through, it’s time for us to be prepared for any unfortunate incident like that of a week ago. Now the time has come for us to start building our home (Sikkim) again.

Since the disaster took place, different political organizations, many NGO’s, individuals came forward for help. No one delayed coming forward for a cause. It was a very good effort by everyone and also a very good example set by people of Sikkim. Despite of many differences, keeping aside all the political agendas, all the parties came forward for help. Many more involved in rescue and relief work, many involved in distributing food stocks to the affected ones, the week has not been an easy one for everyone.

Where it used to take a whole month of preparation for a VIP to visit Sikkim, it happened in a day. Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram, Congress General secretary Mr. Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee visited Sikkim without any formal preparation and met with the earthquake affected victims in STNM Hospital and CRH Manipal and assured of every feasible help from their side. Many relief funds were also sanctioned from central government, and also Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh is likely to visit Sikkim and earthquake affected areas.

One of the Sikkim most talked about and also SDF party dissident Mr. P.S. Golay visited and met with earthquake affected victims in North Sikkim. This all showed that whatever our political and personal differences may be, but during the time of crisis we are one and we will stand for one another. Many relief materials are being taken to the affected places, donations being collected in both cash and kinds.

Press and Media, also known as the fourth pillar of democracy has also played an important role in keeping everyone informed about the situation and condition of the places in and around Sikkim. Many national TV News channels, daily papers and local TV and local papers kept people updated and informed of the situation in a daily basis. News channels like ND TV, CNN IBN, NE TV, Star News, DD News covered the news and updates around Sikkim, which acted as an important medium of giving information to people staying outside Sikkim as well. Many times when one is trying to keep people informed by giving out genuine information, some miscreants always tend to misinformed people by giving out false news during a situation like this. A news from some News SMS channel reading of accident washing away of few homes and missing people provoked the sentiments of the people, which led to chaos among the people especially of Lachung as the news was related to Lachung. A hoax SMS continued immediately after this saying of volcanic eruption and another quake within 48 hours has also brought chaos and made people worried about their lives. Many haven’t come out of the shock of the 18^th and now volcanic eruption? This sparked the fear among the people. Though more than 50 small tremors have been recorded since the incident of 18^th, but only few could be felt by us.

Poor conditions of roads and the indiscriminate change in weather that wasn’t favoring at all, has been a hindrance in the path of rescue and relief work. Still many parts in North Sikkim are cut off from communication. With no electricity, no phone lines have been hampering the rescue works. Many soldiers from Indian Army, NDRF personnel reached the State with immediate relief materials. Many soldiers from Indian Army, GREF lost their lives during relief effort. Sacrifice done by these jawans will be remembered always.

Again shocking news made us stalled on the night of 23^rd September of two building collapsing near vajra cinema hall. Sad news, but no one was killed in the accident. It was a relief to some extent. 

After the devastating earthquake that shook all of Sikkim, claimed many lives, destruction of property and leaving behind many injured. Many government buildings destroyed, many government schools destroyed, private properties destroyed, many made homeless and so on… Many people praying for the departed soul’s to rest in peace, many people thanking god for giving them a new life. As usual people going and doing their daily works and indulging in their daily activities, trying to come out of the bitter experience and overcome fear. With hopes and faith in oneself, trying to build Sikkim one more time, we have won over fear and death and together here we are … WE STAND STRONG.