The nation unites: Savar’s residual impact

Utter confusion. Panic everywhere. I looked around and found a sea of unknown faces. People are either running around frantically filling up forms or rushing to nearby beds with rolled-up sleeves. The motive? To donate blood for the thousands of victims of the recent tragedy at Savar.

It’s amazing how a national crisis can do wonders to unite a nation. There’s a popular saying that in times of great crises, a family really comes together.

We all know about the recent eight-storey building collapsed in Savar that left hundreds dead, thousands injured and millions devastated. But, having the privilege to witness some of the positive proceedings in the immediate aftermath, I am hopeful that a sense of camaraderie in times of such difficulty will help us further rise as a nation.

Referring back to the scene at the hospital, I was impressed with the presence of a large young population at the gathering. Most of them also looked as if they belonged to society’s upper-middle class. In contrast, the vast majority of victims turned out to be blue-collar workers. The contrast couldn’t have been any starker, could it?

Despite all odds, the spirit that rose through the air, the invisible connection between hearts from worlds apart, and the sheer aura of resilience among the denizens of Bangladesh stood out. It spread beyond all complexities and soared higher, leaving out greater disparities.

While conventional wisdom and traditional thinking espouse looking up to the government to take measures, the current generation is wise enough to see past that. Seriously, what has the political clout resulted in other than issuing irresponsible comments from people in high-held positions? Sorry folks, but bringing the age-old blame game drama without even flinching for a second to acknowledge your own responsibilities in the mess doesn’t cut it anymore. Enough is enough.

So, what can we as responsible citizens do? Well, we don’t have to look too far to learn about the answers.

A quick glance at my Facebook news feed attests to how proactive the present generation is. Youth organizations, voluntary groups, and community organizations are all coming forward to play their part in a bid to mitigate the loss of lives and alleviate suffering.

Even many business organizations are actively driving blood donation initiatives and organizing the collection of dry food, water, supplies – anything to save lives under the circumstances – for the greater interest of the nation.

It doesn’t stop there. There are many others who are straight away going to Savar to find more direct ways to contribute. Such selfless gestures, risking lives and sacrificing personal gains, speak volumes about the individuals who have stepped up to create this new historical chapter. A moment to behold. A legacy to follow.

With incessant shrills of a thousand cries filling the heavy air of Savar and tormenting our conscience at this point, our hearts can only find solace when we know that there are millions of others who are playing a role to stop those cries.

Contextually speaking, only the relentless efforts of our present-day generation can bring about that peace. May Allah help us.

Source: Dhaka Tribune