"Terrorists strike India"…"War in Mumbai"… "Terror uninterrupted", these have been the headlines in the papers the last two days. I have received e-mails wondering if I am o.k. One saying it is good I am not "five starring it". There was an article on the numerological significance of the local attack in India. To wit: there was an attack in Jaipir on May 13, one in Ahmeddabad on July 26, one in Delhi, Sept. 13, and this one in Mumbai Nov. 26..pointing out that the numbers 4 and 8 rule Saturn and the year 2008. 13 comes to 1+3=4 and 2+6=8. I don't know about all this. Am I in harm's way? Who can say, probably a lot safer on Maui., or even Pakistan for that matter.
Disasters are a sensitive issue, one can rarely predict nor prevent them from striking. Sure, one can live either in fear or in caution, the latter might being the prudent approach, but what of earthquakes and tsunamis? It has been noted that none of the tribal folks in Sri Lanka perished because they noticed the animals behaving strangely. Also, no animals were killed there either. Animals seem to have a sixth sense about such things. That said, this morning very early I was awakened by every dog in the neighborhood barking very loudly, very unusual, could this have been the prelude to an earthquake? It might have been wise of me to evacuate the building instead of laying there waiting and wondering. I did not.
I responded to one letter of concern stating that "our time comes when our time comes, that I am not putting myself in harms way like that of a soldier or reporter." While I do believe this, that our destiny lies in fates hand, and admit that I am influenced by eastern mystics who claim that death is a mere doorway, just another facet of life, there is a part of me that is very far from being ready to step through that door. Especially if what many claim lie beyond is true, another birth. The prospect of doing this all over again, while perhaps inevitable, doesn't thrill me.
It is easy to philosophize about such things from a distance, or to be numbed by the shocking news, so commonplace it is in the media today. Capturing peoples attention like so many other forms of entertainment. And in many cases such as this one, the terrorists use this to their advantage. In this case striking India at a time when the west would wake up to the news, thereby maximizing their impact across the globe.
Jaipur is on high alert today. Foreign nationals are warned to stay away from tourist attractions and be on guard. More security is being placed at bus stands and railway stations. Having little choice, I will weather the storm, go about my business. Although I will do a special puja, not only for the victims of the latest tragedy, but for those suffering all across the globe. I will try and set aside the endless chatter taking place within my mind regarding my insignificant plight, that of trying to travel and do business without the necessary funds, and focus on others who have it a lot worse off than I. There are hungry children in the streets of Jaipur, whom I usually ignore, due to the sheer numbers of them. Today, if nothing else, upon encountering them, I will offer a prayer when I run out of my daily allotment of rupees to give them. I realize this will do nothing to alleviate the pangs of hunger they may feel in their stomach, but maybe it will soften my heart a bit to their plight.
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