"Wa" - - - What a Great Nation. What a Lesson...???

With prayers (deep & long lasting prayers) to all those who had departed us during the terrible events in Japan & for those who still suffer. Let the lord almighty shower his blessings upon them (as upon us).

But, folks, my writings here is not about the sufferings & after effects of the recent tsunami hit in Japan. I am not going to bore you guys (I guess our well-trained, ever-eager mass media is doing that job well by feeding live updates into our minds & thus reminding us how lucky we are. Well, I wonder who has time in today's world to grieve for the lost) but infact I wish to emphasize (or rather shout out loud) the greateness of a nation & its people who had showed us a lesson (indeed a noble one) during the tragedy. For 'us' (the rest of the world) it may be a tragedy but for the people of Japan, it is again a time of national emergency (considering the fact that Japan always had suffered tragedies through out the history whether it may be earthquakes, tsunami, atom bombing, epidemics, invasions etc) & it is a time to rise again & stand firm from nothing but ashes.

Let me put a little facts below before getting into the our subject:

1. Date of the tragedy: March 11^th 2011.
2. 8.9 magnitude earthquake
3. 10 meters high Tsunami waves followed by the earthquake.
4. Earthquake-stricken areas are seriously short of water, food, gasoline and other supplies.
5. The amount of people who gather in the refuge has risen to 550,000.
6. The current prime minister of Japan Naoto Kan said that the country is experiencing its largest difficulties since the end of World War II in 1945.
7. Nuclear Power Plants gave a serious threat to the lives of the people that too for generations to come.
8. Approximately 8,550. dead
9. Approximately 13,000. still missing

Note: The pictures given below are not mine (ofcourse) but are collected from internet (thanks to Google & to couple of friends):

Now, getting into my topic:

It is a very simple word of Japanese / Chinese / Korean Origin ----- "Wa" ----- (meaning Harmony / Peace / Balance) 

I would like to acknowledge and praise the Japanese People for practicing “Wa” (peace and harmony-unity) throughout this ordeal. 

1. THE CALM

Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY

Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY

The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didnt fall.

4. THE GRACE

People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER

No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE

Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS

Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING

The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA

They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE

When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly...!!!

“Wa”

Bottomline, throughout all of this they remain orderly, polite and respectful to one another. It has been noticed by all some vending machines on a video of the Japan earthquake and tsunami in a ravaged area that had survived intact and with all of the items still in it. I was amazed that the machine hadn’t been looted as would have been the case in most countries. Japan; the world is praying and hoping for you and your ‘Wa’ has been observed by the many of us; thanks for setting such a good example in all of this. 

Let the world may follow you & learn your spirit...!!!