Silver Lining

We still have not fully recovered from the damage caused by civil war which ended ten years ago. And then there is this mega earthquake to push us further backward as a poor nation. The recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake shattered the nation in one shake, worse we face another two big hit in less than three weeks. The damage is much bigger than the 10 year people's war that started in 2052. In early phase of earthquake media was full of blame game for government for not acting fast to provide relief materials to the needy and quake victims. As more and more news unfolded from international news channels, we were shocked that the earthquake was much  more serious in its nature than our government could have handled.

It was obvious that it took time for our media to fully grasp the gravity of the situation. The quake was much bigger than to indulge in blame game for government, at least immediately. It was not the conscientious act from any civil person of the society, to entice mass in situation like massive jolt we face that normally happens once in 80 years. Mobilization of 1,30,000 - army, APF and police for rescue team and 30,000 civil service staff for distribution of relief material sure was not sufficient at all, to reach all the 13 major hit districts; where as, this quake has shaken the entire nation in many ways.

As the news of 7.8 magnitude of earthquake broke and made the international headlines, people from all corner of the world started pouring help in all kinds. As a result rescue team, relief materials and help in cash started coming in Nepal.There were so many flights flying to Kathmandu, with relief materials that it got piled up in airport, blocking the air traffics for more relief materials to enter in. It also hampered the regular commercial flights.

When the relief material was blocking the airport traffic, most of our news camera was focusing on people who were saying they have not seen any relief materials yet. The social media was filled with angry comments for inefficient governments for its dilly dally work on distribution of relief materials and tents when the disaster was big enough to shake the entire nation.

However, the hard truth is, this was the time when 80 million people - as estimated by UN - have affected by this shake directly and indirectly. How many places government alone could mobilise its limited resources and relief material ? There are dozens of INGOs who has been working on ground level as there were almost three dozens countries which were sending relief materials. Any amount of help seemed too small and insufficient compared to the loss this country has gone through. International agencies have estimated that this earthquake - April 25th - damaged more than 10 billion worth of infrastructure.

Like many, my eyes were glued to television sets and pages of newspapers. Many times, those news made me really wonder why our cameras were focusing only on those people who were saying they were yet to get relief material. Where as many INGOs, were on duty from the day one and why their good work was not reported ? Why they were keeping their good humanitarian work from our media people ?

Seeing the sorry state of quake victims many youth bought water and instant noodles and went on to distribute it in the near by areas. Many of them posted it on their social networking site. Some resented the publicity stunt but for good; those small giving is slowing started snowballing overnight and more youth came forward to help each other with less money but more determination to take the responsibility in their in hand and heart.

Slowly, media started reporting about the good hearted people who came forward to help Nepal. Media also reported about the the government side of the story and why they were not able to act fast. That helped us understand that it was the kind of big disaster even our government was not prepared to handle. When people learned about it they realized - my presumptions as they changed the tone in later days -  that they were too fast on criticizing government for its inefficiencies. Politicians admitted in front of camera they were not prepared for such massive hit and damage. Now, the news channels started giving us more good report than criticizing or blaming government for such powerful natural calamities. They shifted their news to people who came forward to help each other. It could be because the international news agencies and people have started pouring their hearts out to give cash and kind, rather than waste time blaming anyone for such unexpected natural disaster. Truth be told, the armies were on the rescue work almost immediately and they sure are part of the government.

More news came, news of good samaritans from the world. UN announced 15 million instantly. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg posted on his wall, it has raised 15 million in just over a week of earthquake. His company donated 2 million dollar. British activist Joanna Lumley teamed up with 13 UK agencies to raise fund  using a Television channel. This team raised close to 3 billion Rs in just a day. US government announced 11 million. However, the government is saying, they really have not received the pledged money yet.

More donation poured in from Nepali living across the world. Now, the situation have become so much so that, every news channel and dailies starting coming forward with their own bank account to collect fund for relief work. Then more Nepali came forward spontaneously to help each other. NRN, Mr Upendra Mahoto announced 15 corod for earthquake victim 3 corod for relief material and 12 corod for reconstruction of nation.. Then Shesh Ghale, and Binod Chaudhary came come with plan to build home for those who have became homeless.Then as if by force unseen to the human eyes, NRN ex president Jibanath Lamichane went to Nuwakot with relief materials. Our artist and youth came forward in their own way and suddenly the news camera slowed [not entirely] focusing on those who were waiting for relief materials and tents even after 2 week of quake.

Bibeksheel Nepali, a political organisation’s office pasted a notice on its office gate that read 'this is not Government relief work'. But, they too collected substantial number of relief materials and distributed it to the victims. They were supported by many Nepali here locally and internationally. Like wise Help Nepal a local charity organisation was also raising funds and distributing relief materials to many part of the nation.

In the midst of all this, we also saw the news of quake victims from Khokana. Some 35 people were staying under a tents, cooking and taking care of each others. All of them were living under a tent. They were feed by their friends and neighbour. Then there was news from Budhanilkantha youth who were using bamboos from nearby forest to make temporary shelter without waiting for government aid  to come and help them.

At a time critical time like this, Nepal got a chance to see the side of Nepali across the nation as well as from around the world, which have rarely been seen before this. This tells us the famous saying that there has to be some evil forces [among us], so that we can see the good things happening around us. There is no doubt that seeing and hearing good and bad news at the same time, thousands of Nepali came forward and took spontaneous step to help each other. It seemed  people who came forward to help suffering nation really eased our hyper reactive nature of media who love to hate politicians and blame government for everything. Good hearted peoples good work was enough to wake up government and think seriously about the nation.