Fwd: An Update From Japan...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: sadhan roychowdhury <sadhan.roychowdhury1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 16, 2011 at 9:49 AM
Subject: Fwd: An Update From Japan...

Dear All,

The following mail is written by Lt Gen ( Retd ) Gautam Dutt about the experiences  his son and family had during the recent tragic earthquake in Japan. It speaks volumes about the Nation's character and  how Japan has reached today's level of prosperity even after facing the two atom bomb attacks and total devastation during the  Second WW.

Imagine the scene in our own Mera Bharat Mahan- every Pinky and Bittu worth their names will stampeding all over over the rest, trying to get 2 blankets instead of one at the rly stn. And, the wailing!!. May be that is why we remain where we are.We have much to learn and emulate.

Kanchan

 

This is an update about my elder son, Debanjan (Puchai) who is in Japan and
his wife, Himika (Jo) and daughter, Keya, who were flying to Tokyo on board
an American Airlines flight when the earthquake and tsunami struck the
country yesterday at about 1430 hrs (local time).

My son was on a day trip to Nagoya (South of Tokyo). He says when the
earthquake hit, there was almost no panic among his co-workers in their
office. They were very disciplined. He reached the Nagoya railway station
about 40 mins after the earthquake and expected to see chaos. They learnt
that a segment of the bullet train tracks to Tokyo was damaged and hence
their train was likely to be delayed. He says that the entire station had
about 2000 persons but everyone was waiting patiently. They que-ed in front
of the Enquiry counter to find details. Some railway personnel were standing
outside and helping people with information. Those whose trains were
unlikely to run that day were being given blankets and pillows and food and
directed to shelters. He and his Japanese colleague went to the nearby
cafeteria and had dinner. His colleague commented that if they panic, it
would only make it more difficult for the authorities to work and help. In
the meantime the tracks were repaired in about 2 1/2 hrs and their train
left for Tokyo, travelling at 150 Kmph throughout. While they were waiting
to buy tickets, there was a long line but people were very disciplined and
did not panic.

They had kept the train services operating 24 hrs and Tokyo Central Station,
which closes down at 0200 hrs was open whole of last night. All offices were
open the whole night too with a few persons staying over to try and help
others who may need help.

As per Debanjan, Tokyo and the Southern part of Japan was near normal and he
expects them to work over time to help out their not so fortunate county men
in Sendai area.

Another interesting fact is that no one accepts "tips". He paid a taxi
driver more money as tips but the individual refused to accept it saying
that he was grateful that Debanjan thought he did a good job but said he
could not accept additional remuneration for his work, which he thought was
only his duty! Debanjan says no one uses cell phones in public places like
trains, lobby of hotels, restaurants, etc.

My daughter-in-law, Himika and my grand daughter, Keya were travelling from
Chicago to Tokyo to join Debanjan. The flight started 4 hrs late and was
diverted to Anchorage, Alaska. This was also fate since, they would
otherwise have been in Tokyo and possibly be stuck in traffic in downtown
Tokyo. Keya and Himika were sleeping when the announcement about the
Japanese earthquake was made over the public address system and hence were
unaware of the disaster. When they woke up, the air hostess came up to her
and informed her about the situation. She panicked wondering how Debanjan
was and actually started shouting. The air hostess calmed her down and told
her to look around at all co-passengers almost all of whom had some
relations in Japan. She observed that they were very composed and did not
show any emotions or signs of panic though they may be anxious. This helped
to calm her down. It was only after they reached Anchorage that she was able
to switch on her cell phone and speak (thanks to my younger son, Deborshi,
and his wife, Natasha, who had in the meantime activated her international
roaming and requested the Anchorage ground staff to tell her that her cell
phone would work) to find out that her husband was okay.

One more observation: when I commented we could hardly expect to beat the
Japanese, Debanjan said we should join hands with them to beat the Chinese!!

Well, I have been getting anxious calls from family and friends and wish to
use this forum to thank everyone for their concern. With the Almighty's
blessings all is well. And as our "samdhis" Brig and Mrs VPS Gill commented
"Wahe Guru da Khalsa Wahe Guru de fateh"!!

With warm regards and thanks to all.

Gautam Dutt (Mithu) from Kolkata

--

sadhan roy chowdhury

--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/