When Nature takes revenge..

For more than 5 and a half decades, India and Pakistan have fought over and shared the land of Kashmir, which now lies in utter ruin on both sides. The Earthquake that shook most of Pakistan & Northern India, has taken more than a 100,000 lives and counting. That is more people killed than in 0ver 16 years of terror in Kashmir.

The quake also sends out a message to the people of Kashmir and that of India & Pakistan that life is too precious to be lost for decades together on a conflict that is unlikely to end any sooner. Things may have improved quite dramatically after what happened in Kargil, and people may now be visiting each other by travelling on a bus that goes once a month, but isn't life too short, unpredictable & precious to be taken & lost over an issue that has remained unresolved for over 57 years ?

Even now, the Jehadis have not lost time in playing politics on both sides, claiming that they have done more for the people than the respective governments. Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir have refused to take help from India in rescue & relief operations, contending that there are 'sensitivities' involved. What crap !!

Help from neighbouring India would have been faster, decisive & just as capable than from any of the far-flung, developed countries. India has had experience of handling disasters like the Tsunami & the Gujarat earthquake not too long ago, and disaster management & recovery skills are far more developed in India than in Pakistan.

This disaster could have been used to build bridges faster than any peace measure ever can by making the border / Line of Control porous for a short period on both sides. Relief would have poured in from all over India with pro-Pakistan sentiments better than ever. A moderate, centrist Government at the centre in India would have also helped matters. It is a sad statement on our relations that Pakistan has declared itself to be a visa-free state for a week for the entire world but India.

Whatever has happened, I hope people in both Kashmirs get speedy relief and international aid pours in, especially into Pakistan.