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MESSAGE FOR MARCH ‘05

CONSTRAINT AND OPPORTUNITY

In the last eight weeks, almost to the day, as I compose this message, all hell broke loose in our neighbourhood, lives were lost, lifetime’s labour was reduced to mushy mud and rubble and unimaginable emotional burdens had to be borne, at all levels. There were catastrophic constraints to be dealt with, and despair loomed large.

However, while the loss of lives and the trauma accompanying the disaster will take many months if not years to overcome, there are many good things we can take out of this disaster. Firstly the enormous waves of generosity from round the world which have provided the wherewithal for the stricken areas to recoup and recover, in a material sense. Secondly it placed upon the neighbouring communities a responsibility to respond to the needs of their affected fellow beings, and they responded magnificently, although there were, sadly, as always some exceptions. Thirdly, the inflow of currencies and the additional domestic demand for various products and commodities required for relief and rehabilitation, improved the economies of some of the less developed nations. There were constraints galore but equally plenty of opportunity for exhibiting courage, generosity and compassion.

Rehabilitation work in our neighbourhood, particularly on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu, is proceeding apace with shelters completed, although in some areas Government has yet to allot freehold land on which to construct permanent accommodation, schools have re-opened, and a number of fishing boats have taken to the sea. This has also approved an opportunity to improve the coastal infrastructure, by building access roads, providing permanent housing, sanitation and drinking water, refurbishing the schools and so on, which could be of lasting benefit to the fisherfolk who are the most affected by the coastal catastrophe.

The disaster also underlined the capacity of our countrymen to effectively manage crises, although it would be of much more lasting benefit, if we could carry this competence over to planned management activities. We are perhaps the greatest crisis managers in the World but anticipatory management may not be quite our cup of tea.

Nevertheless, we can take comfort that in tackling this Tsunami Disaster, we have achieved in a matter of eight weeks some semblance of restitution in our area for the material losses, although the trauma and emotional disturbances afflicting the affected will be with them and us for some considerable time to come.

To all those Brethren, Masonic Charities and others who came to our aid from far and wide, and from nearer home, we express our heartfelt gratitude, and assure them that their contributions have been and will be put to good use, for the direct benefit of those affected by the Tsunami. For us in the Masonic District of Madras it has been an opportunity to practise that virtue we Masons profess to admire.