Gujarat Quake, J&K havoc, Tsunami… during these testing
times India has been blamed of showing a long face as far
as the disaster management is concerned. But this time they
did it for Prince, a young 5-year-old boy from Kurukshetra.
A boy trapped in a well for more than two days was rescued
today - on his birthday - by army soldiers in a drama that
gripped the nation. Hats off to the Indian Army!! And of
course for media for necessary intervention that made us
realize that how precious every life is.
What’s came to light as shear negligence of the authorities
a that made a
little kiddo who was busy playing in the
verandah into a big time trouble. Police gave up… panchayat
gave up… but our jawans were didn’t bat an eyelid,
remaining up! awake! and alert for 50 hours at a stretch,
struggling to save the kid with exceptional will power or
as they say it unaware of the gravity of the problem.
Not only the nation
joined hands, remained glued to the
television sets, and prayed together be it Hindus, Muslims,
Christains, Parses, or Sikhs but also the international
community, especially Holland, joined in for this little
lad who had a narrow escape. On the day of his birthday,
probably it was a new lease of life for Prince.
I was traveling from Delhi to my hometown---Chandigarh for
weekend retreat when on way at Krukshetra around 10.30 pm
we faced a traffic jam. There was a mass gathering. Totally
unaware of the crisis (as I straightaway started for
office), for me it was a usual political rally or some
Swamijis pravachan (address). On steeping into the house, I
was zapped as none of my family reacted with usual warmth,
very unlike other weekly reunions… Something was wrong… On
enquiring---“What’s the matter?” With a stare asking
blatantly if I am coming from Mars, Dad rejoined, “Poor
Prince is still in that 63-feet deep ditch. How can they
leave such a dangerous ditch just covered with a gunny bag.
How foolish!!! Even police has given up. But look at these
soldiers, dear. By tomorrow morning he is expected to be
out safe and sound!” I couldn’t believe what he said and
joined my peers in the TV lobby until next evening.