A colossal tragedy

. PHOTO: AFP

So we have to take part in the relief operations.

What a disastrous and horrendous ending of the year 2004. A colossal calamity hit almost 11 nations across some 4000 miles. Incredible indeed!. It was no terrorist plot, no carpet bombing, and no nuclear explosion. The mighty power of God has shown us that HE is the only real POWER neither a state nor any other being, howsoever strong and rich in resources they may be.

Here is a very clear lesson for us: we have not done our homework properly. We only pay lip service to our faiths. In the fury of Tsunami people belonging to all faiths have been affected-- Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists etc. It establishes the fact that we as humankind are all one.

With best prayers and wishes for a peaceful and wonderful year for all.

Syed Faiyazuddin Ahmad Leicester, UK

The tragic situation created by Tsunami compels us to ask, 'Why thousands and thousands of people have to die at one go and leave innumerable orphans, widows and half-dead people to fend for themselves?' No man on earth can answer that painful question.

Alexander Courage had very wisely remarked, 'The strength of religion lies not in the unquestionable answer, but in the unanswerable question'. Every man ought to know that he is bad and that God is good. But, sad to say, that tragedy of the Tsunami magnitude becomes necessary to shock the self-centred, complacent and wicked human beings to reality. The Black Sunday has taught us the hard way to be better and more caring human beings. Let us believe that God is in full control of the situation created by Tsunami. This is the right time for us to identify an area of our life we would like to change for the better, and indeed discard the beliefs that might be preventing you and me and all of us from achieving the quality of life we are seeking on earth.

Omar Luther King Delhi, India

Many countries have pledged aid commensurate with their abilities and available resources towards mitigating the destruction wrought by the recent Tsunami. Bangladesh should not remain a bystander in this regard and should make every effort to help our Asian neighbours in their time of need. While we may not be able to pledge cash or goods towards the relief effort, one invaluable resource that we can make available is the international experience of the soldiers and medical personnel of Bangladesh Army.

From Afghanistan to Somalia, the Bangladesh Army has been the single largest source of army personnel for UN peace-keeping efforts. With this impressive resume, the Bangladesh Army is aptly suited for providing relief, reconstruction and medical help desperately needed in the countries affected by the recent Tsunami. The diverse international experience of our peacekeepers will be invaluable and will expedite the recovery of the affected people.

Shomit Chowdhury Dhammondi, Dhaka