... is in shatters.
I am not usually the one to have Area pride. Namma Chennai and Namma Tamil.
Having studied in a Govt School, concepts of secularism and unity in diversity sits strong in me. I have mostly lived in predominantly Hindu neighbourhoods during my years in Chennai. Most of my friends are Brahmins in fact. However that fact never bothered me or them. As I have mentioned I was the only Christian girl in a school full of Brahmin rich kids. I never felt isolated. In fact many have asked me to take them with me to Church to see the Mass. I have taken a few as well. And I used to go to temple with an Akka every day in my teens. Whisper prayers in Nandi's ears. I still do when I go to the temple with family now. I have always lived around people who are mature and sensible enough to understand religions are the roads to God. In recent times I call myself spiritual more than religious. Yes I believe in God, the Almighty. But I dont believe in the traditions and customs and some of the fear Catholic Church instills in its people. We were always overwhelmed with yummy sweets and savories for Diwali from our friends and neighbors.
Chennai is a bit traditional. As I am reading the book on Ramanujam, in the eyes of foreigners the traditions in the south may seem super outdated and sometimes silly even. But then it is the same culture that is helping Chennai today. The belief in humanity.
I havent stopped reading about the help messages and the rescue operations. I cannot take my mind off it. My parents are surviving. I am asking them to move to Bangalore to be with my brother and they are not doing it. My In Laws are in accessible in Chennai. But I think they will be fine. BIL and another cousin are with them. I hope they have food/water and all essentials. No electricity and no network for three days now. Last I heard their area is not flooded.
There are other areas which are in worse conditions. My friends' parents have been rescued from places where the ground floor is fully submerged. I cannot imagine their plight. BUT the folks in Chennai seem to be in good spirits. Smiling and surviving. I see pictures of Chennai like Venice, people in boats. With life jackets on. Fishermen helping out. Only the water is dangerously dirty, sewage mixed with rain water. And there are snakes as well. Boats are out to rescue. The dry dry hot hot Chennai is drowning literally. I have never noticed any rivers per se in Chennai except Cooum. All the so called rivers were always dry and empty. More construction on the dry river banks have been flooded now as the rain water finds the long forgotten rivers.
What is grass itching and really making me tear up is the way the common people have come forth to help out. Social media being used to manage rescue and relief operations. I have personally contacted a few folks on the ground based on the numbers on FB and they have been very responsive. A friend who was very worried about her mom living alone was comforted by a picture of her mom sent by a rescue person. Not rescue officials from the government but laymen people trying to help! It is an excellent example of how people can help each other beyond caste, creed, rich or poor. The attitude is amazing. Not one story of someone taking advantage of the situation and robbing or doing something bad. Touch wood. People are helping others as possible while hoping someone helps their family. So heart warming.
The amount of fund raising going on outside India is unbelievable. So many ways that you can help.True spirit of a place is not in its location or attractions, but in the heart of the people.
I will proudly say I belong to Chennai. My Chennai. I love the mix of tradition and modernness. The youngsters and the old. The will to overcome hurdles.The drive to not pose as victims but come out strong in hard times. Their big hearts full of love for their people.
It is hard to be sick in such times. Dialysis patients and heart patients that need to commute to hosptial or need electricity for survival. It is tough. Patients have died in hospitals because of no electricity. It is scary considering my aging parents.
When I returned from Nepal after the earthquake. My thoughts were precisely 'Back in rock solid land where no quakes happen. Back in flat land with no avalanches. Safe Chennai!' I wonder if I jinxed it.
Coming to Bay Area. Is Bay Area safe? Earthquake and flood prone our place is. Is anything permanent in this world, except your spirits and your attitude? No one can take that away from you. Not even nature.
These things are not avoidable, as much as some blame the politicians and all that. If sh$t has to happen it will happen. What we can do is try our best to lead a meaningful life and leave a mark for the future generation to remember. Even if they dont, for your conscience for the brief time in the world well spent. Be good, be helpful. Live, love and cherish.
Things are not over for Chennai.Or for other parts affected by the flood. Cuddalore and Pondicherry and other coastal areas. More rain and floods in the next few days. I pray people can evacuate and be in safe places before the big rain hits again. If you would like to help FB is full of fund raising efforts. Since I am/was part of AID and I know first hand they are a trusted organization, I would urge you to make your contributions here-
www.aidindia.in/donate (mention in comments TN Flood relief)
In US through www.aidindia.org
DH had a great idea. We are cancelling our trip to San Diego during the holidays and donating the money saved for flood relief. We were going to do the usual Legoland, zoo, Safari, sea world, all man made attractions, a different type of vacation for JSK. I guess she will have to wait. I will not take her to Disneyland like ever if possible. We will just do a 2 day trip somewhere close. It is a shame Mia hasn't been on a longer than 4hr trip yet. But then it's okay, priorities!
#prayforchennai
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