Disaster Preparedness: Learning from Elders
“Cyclone generated loss to the state economy would somehow be recovered by levying more tax or receiving grants from the central government but think about the loss generated at the grass root level!
“These days weather phenomena are becoming more volatile in comparison to our younger days.” This was an entry remark made by Aja, (my maternal grand-father) when he entered into our home, drenched and soaked in the cyclonic rain fall. It was a forecasted cyclonic time leading to the initial spell of rain shower.
However, Aja staying few lanes away from our house couldn’t resist the temptation to have his habitual conversation with my paternal grand- parents in that windy, rainy afternoon and dared to step outside. Seeing him in such a stormy weather generated touchy feeling as a result of which hot tea and tasty snacks were arranged immediately.
In fact, this used to be our customary practice that when Aja visits our home follows the ritual of relishing of good food proceeding towards indefinite chatting of two sexagenarians. The conversation between both the grandfathers attuned to be in fluidic state, swiftly switching from one subject to another.
Although I was very young to understand all those matters of discourse, I used to enjoy the dialogues, the tonality, the under tones and the smooth transition to newer topic that often has a hint towards the contemporary issues. So, when Aja used to visit Grand Pa, I most of the time take my position in his room and while playing by myself I intently listen to their conversation.
On that stormy afternoon, after devouring the hot tea, Aja, repeated the entry remark in an accentuating voice in response to which Grand Pa in a conformation voice added, “Yeah! The climate has become very erratic these days. Unlike our childhood days, you can’t predict what is going to be the mood of the weather fifteen days later.”
To continue the dialogue Aja further added in a melodramatic voice, “Why to talk about fifteen days, one can’t predict the weather of tomorrow or day after tomorrow even! You see, how these cyclones that used to be rarest phenomenon in our time are lashing the coastal areas very often!”
In coherence with the theatrical voice of Aja, Grand pa said in an affirmative way, “True, and very true! The cyclone used to be very rare in our childhood days but now it has become a regular visitor.
Last year on this day only the cyclone Phailin had generated so much cost to the state economy, now it is the cyclone Hud Hud banging at the doorstep. God knows, what the cost is the economy is going to pay this time with this unwanted guest!”
This time it was Aja’s turn to respond, probably he wanted to add different flavor to the conversation for which he said, “Cyclone generated loss to the state economy would somehow be recovered by levying more tax or receiving grants from the central government but think about the loss generated at the grass root level!
The tormenting loss for the poor, asset less and resource less people engaged in the primary sectors who have no formal insurance coverage or back up support, how they are going to fill the gap of loss and damage? Added to this they have no role in this whole climate change affair but are paying a great price by the increasing unpredictability of the climate.”
Aja’s new notion to the discussion forum pushed Grand Pa to add more things to this conversation for which he said, “What you are saying is true but these sufferers of the frequent disaster event are belonging to present generation and some way or other they are playing their negligible role in the climate change process, but think about the future unborn generations!
I doubt, if this climate change process goes on unchecked then those unborn future generations would be bound to live in a stressful, unsettling environment and they would be paying heavy price for their no contribution to climate change.”
“Yes! Absolutely, the unborn future generation is going to be the victim of this unchecked climate change process, and to restrain the sufferings, minimize the loss and damage we need to introduce a new culture of resilience building, incorporating the habit of preparedness. Like the kind of preparedness our forefathers were adopting before the introduction of the market system into our lifestyle. Each house hold was storing their own food and fuel to meet the rainy days in the pre monsoon period.”
“In my opinion this method is very pre-historic, where each one is struggling their own fight! Rather we need to introduce a culture of resilience building in a holistic manner, incorporating the idea of mitigation measures and adaption measures as well from the very beginning of learning phase using the modern infrastructure.”
“You mean to say introducing new tools and technologies in disaster resilience building to reduce the discomfort, loss and damage due to disaster?”
“Exactly! We can’t reduce the incidence of disasters but we can downsize its impact if we adapt certain behavior and stay prepared early before the striking of the disaster.” Grand Pa’s remark instantaneously sparked a quarry within me for which I made a frantic call to grandma and asked, whether we have our transistor ready to receive communication in case of power failure during the cyclone?
My apprehensive analytical skill erupted a happy smile with all my elders and the conversation moved in the course of relevance of culture in instilling behavioral changes.
The month of October that coincides with Indian Philosophy of paying homage to the deceased ancestors and the celebration of International Day for Disaster risk Reduction made my memory to flash back the happy yesteryears. Simultaneously, it is a reminder that we need to inculcate certain cultural practices that would reduce our exposure to disaster and the vulnerability to loss as well.
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