Monday, September 06, 2004
Trbute To The Children Of Beslan

This is a blog tribute to the little children who lost their lifes in the Russian hostage crisis.As the death toll in the Beslan tragedy continues to rise close to 400 now,I just wish to say a little prayer for the lifes of the little innocents lost in this mindless and senseless bloodshed.I wasn't aware of this until one of my cousins in the US told me about it and then I read about the horrific details.Of how,it was th start of a school term and how in Russian tradition,kids would go back to their schools with family in tow and flowers in hand.Of how the terrorists borke into the school,forced everything into a hall and rigged it with explosives.Of how they were threatened amidst a show of force and violence.Of how infants were fed milk prepared with cold water.Of how kids were deprived of water.And of how some hostages tried to escape and got shot.It's all there in the details.Read for yourself.

I don't pretend to understand what drives people to extreme levels of cruelty.Maybe it is understandable at some level I can't reach.But to commit such crimes to children who do not know anything,who do not engage in the politics which that adults do is way below the belt.It is something only animals do.And these criminals are no better than that.Maybe the children are but casualties of war.But what war?For what ends,at what costs?Would you shoot your own children if it furthers the cause?I know some people would.For them,good luck.I hope what you are fighting for is worth it.Because at the end when you get what you want,there would be anyone to share it with you.

I better not get political here.I don't understand a thing about Chechnya separatism.But I can understand the grief of a parent who has lost his/her children.I'd think that's more heartwrenching than a million things you could put him or her through.No words of consolation can comfort them.

I'd end with a song by The Divine Comedy called "Sunrise".It's about Northern Ireland.For all I know,it could very well,apply to lots of war-torn countries.Even in a lot of African countries now as not all events may be reported.It's a hopeful song.Hope that springs eternal.But for some children,they won't see the sun rising.Rest In Peace.

I was born in Londonderry
I was born in Derry City too
Oh what a special child
To see such things and still to smile
I know that there was something wrong
But I kept my head down and carried on

I grew up in Enniskillen
I grew up in Inis Ceathlain too
Oh what a clever boy
To watch your hometown be destroyed
I know that I could not stay long
So I kept my head down and carried on

Who cares where national borders lie
Who cares whose laws you're governed by
Who cares what name you call a town
Who'll care when you're six feet beneath the ground

From the corner of my eye
A hint of blue in the black sky
A ray of hope, a beam of light
An end to thirty years of night

The church-bells ring, the children sing
What is this strange and beautiful thing?
It's the sunrise
Can you see the sunrise?
I can see the sun rising