Staying calm during troubled times

Vox Pop

There was no heightened paranoia, no erratic behaviour that was translated into actions that could be harmful to others. Instead they are now working relentlessly, rebuilding what is lost. In times of peril, very few can remain calm and tackle the situation head on.

Metrolife asked Bangaloreans what is it that keeps the Japanese calm in such trying times and if India could learn a fitting lesson in disaster management from them.



G Madhavan, Professional
“The reaction of the Japanese to the disaster was very subdued and we definitely need to learn from them. Geographically also, they are located in an area where natural calamities are a regular affair. The bombing during World War II was another grave tragedy that they faced with courage. The calmness we see now, is because of all these blows that have helped them evolve into better human beings. Nature has tuned them in such a way that they are ahead of us when it comes to dealing with stressful situations.”

Chandrima Das, Student
“The Japanese Government is very supportive. Even though parts of their country are destroyed, within a couple of years, they will be back on their feet. The government is helping them 24/7 and the people are not helpless. In India, if a calamity of this magnitude was to occur, most people would be rendered helpless. In such a case, I am sure many committees would have been made and money would have been sanctioned to help the survivors. But that reaching them would have been a bleak possibility.”

Somnath Ghosh, Student
“Japan is a developed country. Irrespective of the magnitude of the disaster, they have the confidence that they can come out of it. This confidence is also seen in the
citizens who therefore have reacted to the situation in a positive way. In India on the other hand, we would have been unable to deal with a disaster of any magnitude.

People here wouldn’t take up the initiative to build the nation or help the ones in distress due to the prejudices prevalent in the society.”

Naveen Jaidka, Entrepreneur
“I have many clients in Japan due to the nature of my work. From the time the disaster happened, I have been in constant touch with them through e-mails. The one thing that really strikes me during my communications with them is the immense patience they
possess when it comes to fighting any calamity. In my mails, I have repeatedly
asked them if they need any help but they never ask for anything. They just write back saying that we must pray for themso that business resumes and they get back to
normalcy.”

Pradeep B R, Professional
“I don’t see Indians reacting to the disaster in a similar manner because we are highly emotional people. We are a melodramatic bunch.  In case of a disaster too, we will react much differently. But we definitely do have the capability to withstand calamities. The thing we need to learn from them is their ability to make a comeback. They have faced mightier perils and I am sure they have seen situations much worse than this. It is their
consistency that needs appreciation.”

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