Much has been written about earthquake-shattered Nepal. Images assail our senses each time we tune in to news channels or read the newspapers, but Meghalaya and its citizens are yet unmoved by the tragedy. Hence there has not been even a squeak from either the State Government or its citizenry or by organizations and individuals about lending a helping hand to the people of Nepal at this critical juncture in their history. Interestingly, Arunachal Pradesh has already mobilized support for Nepal. The State is sending 1,000 tents for establishment of temporary relief camps and shelter for those people who were rendered homeless in last Saturday’s devastating earthquakes. Officials from the Arunachal Pradesh would soon leave for Nepal by road to hand over the tents to the authorities in that country.
We recall how in 2001, Mizoram had sent several train-loads of bamboo to Gujarat after an earthquake had caused major damage in that state. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi took part in a candle-light prayer organized in Guwahati as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Nepal earthquakes. Hundreds of people also joined the candle-light prayer that was held in the Dighalipukhuri Park in Dispur. While this is a symbolic gesture yet something is better than silence. It is learnt that altogether 152 persons from Assam were in Nepal on the day the devastating earthquake struck the Himalayan country. While bodies of six – all women who were part of a group of pilgrims – were recovered and brought back to Guwahati, two persons have remained untraced so far. Altogether 126 persons from Assam have returned to state, while 18 others were not willing to return immediately.
In the case of Meghalaya there is a stunning silence on this issue. We are as yet unsure if anyone from Meghalaya is trapped in that massive quake. Our Government has remained inured to Nepal’s pain. Natural calamities know no boundaries. We cannot be too sure that a similar disaster would by-pass Meghalaya as it did this time around. Many church-goers were surprised that no mention was made during the Sunday service of what is perhaps one of the largest human disasters in recent times. Is this what we have come to? It speaks a lot about our propensity to see Nepal as a problem country because of the issue of migration. But should this dull our sensitivities to the point of inhumanity?