The Apocalypse that washed away Hate -( Written 11 Dec,2015)

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Every social site and media are brimming with stories of Chennai floods. There was so much happening all around, so much destruction everywhere, so many traumatic ordeals heard, the mental agony when you cant trace people you love, hearing about the  losses suffered by loved ones and strangers alike.

This was written with a lot of Pride, Tears, Pain, happiness and relief. Mixed emotions in every Chennaites mind right now.
The mind was almost numb and it had to be let out. This blog is more of a release of trapped distress rather than a usual blog.

Chennai Floods November 15th, 2015 -  December 3rd, 2015 :

The Apocalypse that washed away anger, hatred, difference and intolerance and brought in love, brotherhood, support, humanity, courage, selflessness and mainly A never say Die Attitude !

Nature teaches you lessons in Humanity and Humility like no other teacher.
It was like it had taken upon itself to teach people things that were long pending. But it did this at an insanely high price. Neither the city nor the people did not deserve this.

The rich and the famous learnt that their fancy imported cars in which they splashed muddy waters on simple pedestrians whom they looked down on with contempt was of no use to them during a crisis. And it was the poor man's boat and helping hand that helped him in his worst moments.

When money and riches were washed away in the flow and were the things that were the least needed. When a glass of fresh drinking water was more costly and valuable than any diamond necklace will ever cost. When ATM cards were mere decorative pieces and money in bank accounts were just pieces of paper.
When homes built with love became Coffins and when offices and stranger's houses became Home.

When hospitals were not the safest place for the sick (In a horrendous tragedy almost 14 patients in the ICU died because ventilators stopped working during those days of power loss and fuel for generators could not reach on time ). Eyes fill with tears just imagining those moments of pain and helplessness of those people.

When shady looking characters who were looked with suspicion and fear always now proved to be Saviours and brave hearts.
When college students who were always criticized for being lazy and 24 hours inside social media and chatting with friends proved without doubt that when the situation demanded they proved that they could be innovative, Selfless, brave and Sacrifice themselves without thinking twice.

Many have lost their lives while saving others. They held on to the trapped and helped them to shores of safety but were washed away and drowned by a very unfair destiny.

People realized that pouring milk over a God's head was futile when there were children crying of hunger and fatigue outside the temple steps.
when people shared homes, food, water and love without second thoughts.

When man made concepts like Religion and caste were actually forgotten and vanished . When you are dying you grab any support you get irrespective of colour or religion or rich or poor.
At that decisive moment that hand that helps you is God for you.

When people actually realized that God is that Single unseen force that helps you when you most need it and not something that is to be divided with a hundred different religions and a thousand different names.              

When several states came together to hold together that city that had given them several Koothu songs to dance to, super heroes flying on the screen, hyper energetic silly songs, and taught them to whistle and cheer for even small things and O podu for happiness, to pull up your lungi stick out your tongue and dance wildly as if it was your last dance ever.
 

Where not a single frown or complaint was heard .
But shouts of encouragement ,unexplored selflessness and courage, smiles of reassurance, hands of help, and a Spirit to die for surfaced like Magic.
 
When people showed insane Courage beyond the call of duty. Chennai Police, several national agencies and our very own Army and Navy again proved that the Oath they took during swearing in were not mere words but Promises to their nation and people and that they would defend this by even giving up their lives.

Days of fear when we could not trace our loved ones. Uncertainties and pain that each Chennaite endured while waiting by the phone or laptop waiting for signals and networks to just receive a message or call from people missing.
And when network came on for a few minutes the messages that flooded our inboxes . Friends, relatives and even people we hardly spoke to messaging to know if we were safe.

   
Almost 3000 deaths and as the waters reeceed the count keeps increasing. More than 2 lakh refugees inside schools, colleges, kalyana mandapams, offices etc .
More than a 1000 community kitchens working round the clock. 100s of trucks from many states coming in with supplies and help. The city is alive like never before.

Chennai is a city with a lot of dirty streets. But it's proved that it is a city filled with people with the Cleanest minds and Hearts. I prefer dirt on the roads than in people's minds.

My Chennai - home for 14 years, filled with rough people with very sensitive hearts, filled with people who are Genuine, people who are the same both inside and out, people who show insane courage and dance silly dances with the same passion.
People get closer when they have  something common to talk about. Now the entire city has something they faced together to talk about .
Nobody is a stranger these days. In malls and markets and roads everyone talks to everyone...asks if things are ok in their area. Whether they want help and if so where can they avail it .
The city is one big family now. Members bounded together by a Tragedy and Humanity alike .

The decision I took 14 years back to make this city my Home was not wrong and this has been proved day in and day out.  
My Chennai- Rightly termed The cultural capital of the country.  


My Chennai- the city filled with the bravest, courageous and most loving hearts I have ever seen has faced one of the worsts tragedies ever, but now recovering with courage in our hearts and a smile on our lips.

#chennai , #chennaifloods , #bravehearts , #nammachennai