The Mandakini and the Alaknanda, the two rivers
Merge to create the Ganga with holy waters,
Dotted all along the banks are the temples
That have invited lots of pilgrims to assemble.
Pilgrimage does take place every year
With devout Hindus of the country far and near,
How delighted one is in the home of gods
To a devout pilgrim it signifies quite a lot.
June 17th the year Two Thousand and Thirteen
The amount of downpour no one had ever seen,
Devoid of forest cover this young fragile land
Got such a devastation to imagine no one can.
Along with the gushing waters of the existing rivers
One could also see new water ways all over,
Caught in the unprecedented deluge the crowd
Got swept away with screaming shrill and loud.
Roads, bridges and buildings swept away
Over the army and rescue team a giant task lay,
Helicopters pressed into service help to try
So that the remaining survivors would not die.
In difficult circumstances many got airlifted
Away from the horror, away from severe death,
Never in the history of such a colossal tragedy
Had our men in uniform performed so exemplary!
The saddest part of the story, the vultures
That landed on the dying, the corpses; that’s their culture,
“Pay us whatever we demand if you wish to live”
It hurt every man of conscience to the heart very deep.
Oh! How painful to watch those with photos
Of their loved ones snatched from them a while ago,
United from home with zeal and a divine peace
Now separated by death, dreams shattered to pieces.
And that three year old girl miraculously with life
Parents seemingly no more, your heart as if pierced with a knife,
Oh! If someone could please nurse and adopt her
One would be amply blessed by God forever and ever.
Kumari Savitri Devi could never be airlifted
For a soul had left she is already dead,
Helped gently to the river by family and all
To have severe rendezvous with the Bay of Bengal.
Our hearts also go to all the IAF personnel
And all those passengers on board as well,
To die in the field of duty to try to save a soul
It is the greatest sacrifices never frequently told.
Our hearts also go to the local villagers of Kumaon
Who had always braved any disaster head on,
Rescued by Jim Corbett from the jaws of man-eaters
Presently they are facing the calamity of angry rivers.
But if this tragedy very painful though, has any beauty
It was the prayers of the nation bond in unity,
Life is a journey strange, lovely and terrifying
But to care one another, that is the calling.
Wandell Passah
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