Uttarakhand

July 5, 2013

Uttarakhand

On the foothills of those Himalayan ranges

Where both land and man prospered

Recently, occurred, some tragic changes

Due to which millions of lives have suffered

 

Beneath the layers of this rubble and concrete

Lie the remains of everyone I knew

Those people I loved are now obsolete

For the survivors of this disaster are very few

 

Thousands are stranded and lost

They are anxiously waiting to be rescued

Hoping to reunite with families at any cost

For how long will nature prolong this feud

 

The whole state of Uttarakhand is overcome with fear

Soldiers rush to help us escape

People are being evacuated from here

For we can’t fight a war with our own landscape

 

Politicians are playing the blame game

On all news channels across the country

Through our sorrow they are attaining fame

Yet none of them volunteer to come and set us free

 

These bricks and cement I once called “home”

Are spread on the ground before me

The streets I used to play on and roam

Will from now, only exist, as a memory

 

My entire world has been washed away by the flood

My whole life has been stolen from me

The waters can drain even the last drop of blood

But it cannot diminish the spirit and hope within me

 

For this is my birthplace and motherland

And though it might fall into ruins

I shall stay strong and withstand

The strongest of forces I might experience

 

For though disaster tears us away

From the people that matter the most

It also brings the country closer today

With the surreal unity that can never be forced 

 

Cities cannot be rebuilt in a day

The scars of this tragedy shall never heal

But as one country, together, we can find a way

To Somehow move past this horrific ordeal

 

Compassion and prayer are powerful means

To connect with those who still mourn and die

Let not ignore this issue as just another news piece

But let’s join our hands together and try

 

Try to console and be by their side

Let’s forget we are away and far

Let’s be like little stars in the night sky

Stars that twinkle, even in the darkest hour

 

Dalia Saldanha Archives:

 

 

By Dalia Jane Saldanha
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Comment on this article

  • Murtaza, Dubai

    Wed, Jul 17 2013

    Hi Dalia
    I read your articles very often ...they are absolutely wonderful.
    Im really really proud of you, keep it up

  • Benedicta Lobo, Udupi/Dubai

    Mon, Jul 08 2013

    Hi Dalia,
    Hearty congratulations on this heart touching article. You have a long way to go & we feel so proud of you. All the best for more such articles. God bless you.
    Best wishes
    Uncle/Aunt/Brian/Namratha/Bianca & Baba Ethan

  • Sharon Saldanha, Udupi/ Qatar

    Mon, Jul 08 2013

    Very well written. It really tugs your heart and captures all the emotions the people of Uttarakhand are going through. God bless you and keep up the good work.

    Love, Sonia, Sheldon and baby Sienna

  • D'Souza D, Bangaore, Canada

    Sun, Jul 07 2013

    Dalia: your feelings, spirit of hope and genuine care and concern have come through vividly in this piece that has poured out from your heart. Your talent lies in the great words you've chosen. May the suffering stop and may the politicians be human enough to help whoever is in need. Congrats on the amazing concern you've shown for others. May your tribe increase.

  • Peter Saldanha, Bangalore

    Sun, Jul 07 2013

    Nice write up. Congratulations Dalia.

  • sonal, chickmangalore

    Sun, Jul 07 2013

    Dear dalia, beautiful piece of writing. Congrats. You make use your talent to convey lot of message of love and concern towards our people who are in trouble ,pain ,loss.

  • Lawrence Saldanha, Kanajar/Kuwait

    Sat, Jul 06 2013

    Dear Dalia, excellent work, conveys the sorrowful message from deep heart, nicely written, well done keep it up. Uncle Lawrence Saldanha Kanajar

  • Mary Saldanha, Kanajar/Mumbai

    Sat, Jul 06 2013

    Keep up the good work, congratulatons to you.

  • Joe Britto, Nakre/Bangalore

    Sat, Jul 06 2013

    Truly Amazing Peice by Dalia.
    Tragedy times are indeed bad and the least that we can do is pray and prepare to live better and clean lives amd truly care for the environment.

    We owe our lives and devotion to the next generation.
    The true meaning of life is to better their life. And it is our honor and duty to see them progress. What we do for ourselve alone dies with us
    What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. - Albert Pike

  • Veronica Alva, Udupi/Dubai

    Fri, Jul 05 2013

    very well written Dalia.Your thoughts show your concern towards people who suffer at this time in Uttarakand.May God provide relief to all those who are suffering at this moment.
    Keep writing.May God bless you always..
    Your loving aunt Veronica Alva.


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