Comparing the two tragedies purely from the eyes of the citizens of either cities, seems like Mumbaikars demonstrated a better presence of mind than did their counterparts in New Orleans. Before help could pour in from other states or even the center, Mumbaikars went out of their way to provide help to the needy. This was a great equalizer, people who travel in cars and care two hoots about the common man on the road, were forced to seek help from the same common man. Wasn't there a possibility of looting here? There very well was. But were there any such instances? No. People living in the US who had families in Mumbai who were stranded, appealed via rediff.com for help. Who helped these families? Was their a similar show of concern in the US? My intention is not to put down the efforts of the American citizens nor am I criticizing any nation or its political leaders. All I am saying is that if the common Mumbaikar has one reason to be proud of, if he feels that in his own way, he did something that even citizens of the biggest power couldn't, let him feel so. After all how many chances does the common Mumbaikar get to be proud of his/her achievements?
Dear Ram Kelkar, Your article is an eye opener for a petty thing which Indians started comparing with USA. I too had recieved same "48 hrs" comparison fwd. I was a annoyed for the fact that people get carried away for the mere fact of comparison and forgeting the disaster. I feel that the mail is an utter inhuman behaviour. People should feel responsible for the act of forwarding a mail. People should give a two minute thought for what a forward mail is all about. We being citizens, represent India and so every of ours act matters in global context. Once again, a very good article.
Finally, a balanced view that looks at both sides of the coin. But one thing you overlooked is that most important reason for help not reaching New Orleans as fast as it should have, it that the victims were hapless, poor black citizens. In a country that boasts of equal opportunity, this is truly an eye-opener. Not for Americans, but for the rest of the world, as this racial divide has clearly been exposed. This would not happen in Indian society. -Soniya Gadgil
Wow! I think the author has made some good points in the comparing the two situation. But I hardly understand the thought process of be littling(I don't know if such a word exists)Mumbaikars is not in the right spirit. I live in Houston and saw first hand the panic and chaos during Allison - 2001 storm that hit Houston, it is wrong to say that India is not morally and spiritually superior. How can you ignore the heroic deeds of the Mumbaikars living in utter poverty during the Deluge. Those who have never travelled by car were seen helping the rich get out of their car and made sure that their vehicles were returned at the earliest to their homes. "Poor" people sharing whatever they had in their houses with strangers when their natural instictincts could have been to exploit just like in New Orleans. What good is your attitude when you cant see goodness in poor people's sacrifice and come to defend the anarchy and animal behavior of rich and developed nations. Stop criticising India without reason.
Nice article. The generalization and comparisions being made is horrible. Without assesing the situation completely emails are being circulated,coulmns are being written (For Eg TVR Shenoy's which is the worst one I have seen).
precise and unbiased..!! to be proud of india..we need not get biased and blinded by distorted facts..! Bby and new orleans catastrophes are as diverse as chalk and cheese period!
