One can see the ongoing discussion on social media network and on some TV channels exploring the reasons behind the superstorm Sandy which caused widespread chaos and devastation in North America. On the surface it may look a general exchange of views on what the US experienced in last few days. But that’ not end of the story; there are people who are terming the destruction this super-storm has brought as revenge of eternal forces for the Americans’ deeds. Natural calamities could hit anyone anywhere on this globe whether it’s devastating earthquake in Pakistan (2005) wherein plus 75,000 people died or Tsunami in 2004 which brought widespread destruction on Ache, Indonesia killing around 170,000 people while above 500,000 were left homeless.
We need to learn lessons from Sandy: how the Americans are able to precisely predict the direction, intensity and timing of this super storm which helped to evacuate millions of people to safety, how come they are so quick and efficient in the repair and cleanup operations, how the Sandy doesn’t turn into a political ping pong blame game among federal and state governments and presidential candidates, how thousands of volunteers come out helping everyone in need (as someone wrote these volunteers are unpaid, not because they are worthless but they are priceless).
It’s time to sympathise with those who died in this natural calamity, and time to boost who braved the storm to bring the NY stock exchange and other public facilities to life within two-day time.
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
