It was a shock, a huge shock which rediated outwards, causing massive casualties, and a short pain in the nerve center, chocking the throat.  A 7.8 earthquake downed more than 30,000 lives.  Pictures of devestation, crying parents, and again, media chose to focus on the children, innocents, by all measures.  Stories angled to evoke symphaties, the highest level politician asking for international aid for his beloved people.

 

But a country blessed in minerals, gas, oil, culture, a country which, by all measures is great and large, is unable to sufficiently help itself?  Whatever happened to the years of mining minerals, jewels, trades?  Is the world again going to reward non-development?  While we stand ready to aid fellow humans, should we acknowldege inefficiency, and corruption, giving tacit approval for time and again providing aid which, will pass through pockets of certain politicians, before whatever falling through the gaps of these numerous pockets and related pockets hits the ground to make sound louder than the growling stomachs?

 

In recent times, we have seen the Tsunami hitting Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand.  We emptied our pockets, as we emptied our tears.  And much of the aid money is still unaccounted for, with stories of food aid been held by bureacratic red tape, and sold by soldiers to hungering civilians at high prices.  We must be kidding ourselves that we are doing good deeds with our love and "assistance".  We have been reinforcing corruption, and approving on the culture we very much are trying to eradicate through sanctions after sanctions.

 

If only donations will save situations, poverty and malnutrition should not be existing in Africa now.  How much has the world poured or even flooded Africa?  Only to see more civil war, and further spiralling poverty, and the annual picture of bloated children and begging arm.  What have we been giving to?  Humanitarian causes?  Or cultural reinforcement and approval for corruption and inefficiency?

 

Why would anybody deserve to lay back, extend a hand and recieve handouts, because he is so good at operating a country of professional beggers?  Why should we encourage them?  Should these areas not be allowed to find their own balance?  If you feed a cat at the same spot, or reward a monkey for doing a trick repeatedly, they will visit the same spot and do the same trick over and over again, but not learn to find their own food.  And humans, learn faster than cats and monkeys.

 

The world of giving, should not be sullied by these foul tactics.  Where giving is a joy, receiving is not an entitlement.  I have encountered people from other nations, Indians, Malaysians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, coming to me, and demanding scholarships and sponsorships.  Yes demand, like it is their birthright to receive a sponsorship because they are less well-off.  Whatever happened to humbility, and gratitude?  Whatever happened to resiliance?  Being from less well-off background, with parents in the lower class, I have not extended my hands for handouts, and it shocks me, the culture of demanding handouts like a birthright has premedated society.

 

Shocked I am, at the magitude of natural diseaster, shocked I am at the magnitude of human indignity.  For the love of humanity, I will give.  And for he who shall dip his hand into such love, with indignity, may you live a long life.  For indignity shall remain with you for the rest of your long life.