When the Floods Hit Kerala
For the Crooked Fruits in Our Midst: Identifying and Addressing Unethical Behavior
In the heart of 2018, Kerala found itself under water – and not in a good way. As a native of this fascinating land, I should've been writing about its vibrant culture, scrumptious cuisine, or captivating landscape. But those words feel distant now. Partly because I’m surrounded by the devastating reality of the floods, and partly because I've witnessed some of the most frustrating scenes humanly possible. Eons of rain had breached the riverbanks, submerging homes, decimating livelihoods, and testing the relentless spirit of its inhabitants. I’ve got stories to tell, with every laugh, every tear, every emotion, and every shred of frustration coursing through me. It's hard not to be impassioned about it all.
I've witnessed thousands of my people selflessly giving their time, energy, and sweat to help their fellow citizens. If anyone doubts humanity's power to persevere, come visit Kerala. My friends and acquaintances have taken up arms with courage, risking their Lives to save others and offering their homes as temporary shelters. I've personally been part of the organized effort to coordinate with these volunteers on the field, making sure that the rescue requests reach them, and urgently needed supplies make it to the relief centers.
With this unique perspective, I feel compelled to share a few doubts, concerns, and outright anger about the behaviors of some folks who, quite frankly, don’t deserve the sunshine we're all desperately craving. With any luck, they'll read this, feel a tad ashamed, and decide to change their ways when the waters recede. I prefer to believe that the overwhelming majority of people in Kerala possess the kindness, wisdom, and empathy that are perfectly represented by the tireless heroes putting their lives on the line each day to save others. But there's a minority, however small, that reveals a more sinister side of human nature. To those unlucky few, I offer this message.
Why oh why would you defy an alert from the authorities and decide to wait out the floods in your home, hoping against hope that the water level would miraculously recede? I've seen it with my own eyes – families trapped on the upper floors of their submerged homes, huddled in their misery, waiting for the waters to quit rising, completely oblivious to the fact that help has simply become too close for comfort to reach them. Water, food, and medical supplies are on their doorstep, but greed and ignorance prevent them from being saved.
"But yeah, it's scary evacuating. And I've heard other people say that sometimes the authorities can be wrong." I get it – I truly do. Weather prediction can be tricky, especially during heavy monsoons, when rainfall can be relentless and unpredictable. The truth is that no one knows everything, but maintaining an open line of communication between citizens, governments, and relief organizations is essential for survival. It's when we stop working together that sparks disaster.
And once disaster strikes, it's up to us to band together and lift each other up. But what to make of those who selfishly prolong rescue operations by making irrational demands or simply ignoring them altogether? When a rescue boat or helicopter arrived to save the trapped, I heard some people complain that they weren't coming back on their schedule, or that they didn't want them risking their lives near their buildings. Really?! When you've got nothing left, and nowhere to turn, you'd expect empathy and understanding from your fellow humans, not just from authorities and relief workers, but from your next-door neighbors too!
Some people think that a rescue situation is a fantastic opportunity to snap photos and share cheeky selfies, as if the people risking their own lives to save you weren't going through enough. During a calamity, heroes aren't looking for attention or admiration. They're simply doing what they can to help their fellow humans survive the chaos. The absurdity of asking a rescue team to wait for you, or of taking photos with them while people are dying, is lost on these sad souls.
It's the ignorance, the anger, the greed, and the selfishness that drive me to near despair. I've seen those who claim to be religious fanatics, picking fights with relief workers while people's lives hang in the balance. I've heard of fearmongers spreading lies and panic, with no thought for the chaos they create. I've seen criminals attempt to profit during the disaster, snatching food meant for the hungry or swindling innocent victims for money. There's a lot more that curdles my soul, but I think I've made my point.
In times of crisis, people's true natures are laid bare. There's the good, the bad, and the ugly. I've been witness to all of that here in Kerala, and I'm scared. I'm scared for the future. I'm scared that the selfish few will continue using their ignorance and cruelty as weapons, tearing at the very fabric of our society. But I'm also hopeful and determined. Because I know that we, the people of Kerala, are not defined by the actions of a select few. We are defined by our collective resilience, our desire to help one another, and our unwavering commitment to rebuilding our lives and our home. So to those that see the chaos as an excuse to behave like beasts, I say this: You will not break us. Together, we will rise stronger, and brighter, and bolder. And we will continue to fight for the soul of what we know is truly "God's Own Country."
In the midst of this crisis, the people's lifestyle in Kerala has been significantly disrupted, with relationships becoming severely tested. The politics and general-news surrounding the disaster have brought to light instances of ignorance, anger, greed, and selfishness among some individuals, causing a deep concern for the future of the society.
Amidst the chaos, there are also stories of selflessness, courage, and unity. The actions of some individuals who defy an alert, prolong rescue operations, or take advantage of the situation, are starkly contrasted by the tireless efforts of the majority who are determined to persevere and rebuild.
