Two short scenes of life post-tsunami-earthquake-radiation caught my attention. One was that of a phone bank which was offered for the use of Japanese trying to get in touch with their relatives. There was a long line of disciplined people in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties and seventies, waiting for the police to allow themselves to enter make-shift tent. The phones were placed in a long line. As soon as the police removed the barricade, you could notice every person in the queue walking in a resolute, poised and polite manner to the nearest phone, without even the minimum of unconscious jostling and pushing. This is after a day or two had just passed from probably the worst tragedy of their lives. I can't even fathom a similar Indian reaction. Not surprising that the news also highlighted that a similar cataclysm in another country would have resulted in consequences of far higher magnitude. Incidentally, not once did I hear of any news article suggesting looting and theft, while these could be natural propensities in many other countries.
The second scene was that of a restaurant in Tokyo, which has not been affected physically (of course, paranoia does not need substance to propagate itself) by the multi-cataclysm. They showed the owner removing bulbs from the ceiling so that he could save power for people in the affected areas. Nothing could be more empathetic in something so infinitesimally small. And the message could not be more timely for me. I was shaving the previous morning with glasses of water, as the tap gushed too much water too uncontrollably, and asking myself whether this made any difference to anyone.
Everything does make a difference. A drop saved or a watt reined, both are important. This is an inter-connected world, and we all make a difference to everyone else. Profligacy has brought humanity to its knees, and only the opposite will make us walk again.
Probably nobody in Japan thinks this (act of saving power through removing bulbs) was out of the ordinary- the Japanese may see this as run of their mill culture and character- part of their national psyche!
ReplyDeleteAre we collectively destined for anything big like the Japanese? When we cannot transcend the mundane and the ordinary day to day issues of our lives how can we overcome the travails of something as huge as the national catastrophe witnessed in Japan lately or aspire for greatness?
"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you must develop the habit in little matters" said someone.
Going green and all related matters like saving water, using energy efficient bulbs, biodregadable bags etc should be little matters of our lives yet it is not even on our priority list as a big thing. It has to first become a priority and then into a habit. I do not think money is an issue-it is the prevailing attitude of ours that need to change!
I think you are spot-on here! Nobody in Japan should think too much of these simple acts. They naturally seem to be 'little matters' of their lives. Somehow, for us Indians, little matters seem to matter more.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with you completely. The need to go green should first become a priority, and then elevate itself to a habit.
It's never too late to get into a good habit.
Extract of an email that I received
ReplyDeleteTen things to learn from Japan tragedy -
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, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.
4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so 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 N-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 M EDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.
10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly!