Dear Colleagues,
I just cann't help to share some moving news about the earth quake with you. Please forgive me if I have disturbed you. This is very unusual.
I saw very good reports on CNN and BBC. But many more detailed stories are only available in Chinese, from TV and online media in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The earth quake happened at 2:30pm 12 May. Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Dujiangyan, one of the affected city at 7:30pm in that evening by heli-copertor and organized the rescue missions from there. When he first arrived there, the city looked like a dead town, without light, with no voice. He saw the first girl was rescued out from the debris at around 10:30 pm.
He said "time is life" and led the rescue activities overnight without sleeping. Since the best surviving period is within 72 hours after the earthquake, he ordered the airforce people to make best efforts to go into the epicentre Wenchuan county by helicopertor before 11:59 pm, 13 May. It was difficult because of the broken bridges, mountain slides, heavy rains, low ground visibility, and the remaining consequent earthquakes. His statements to the airforce men were all brief: " I want people's lives saved", " You are raised by the people, your know yourselves what you should do".
I am sure the airforce people were not only encouraged by his words, but also by his actions. He is a Premier who cares and does not waste any possibility in saving lives. He felt the pain and cried for the people, for the loss of so many lives there.
Another moving news is that Mr. Ma Yingjiu, the President-elect in Taiwan, came to Taiwan Red Cross yesterday to make his personal donation of 200,000 (taiwan currency). He also made a brief statement calling for all Taiwanese people to show their humanitarian sympathy towards the mainland people who are suffering. I saw from Zhongtian TV ( a TV station from Taiwan), very positive comments on his donation. Commentators said that " man should not simply be the animal of politics" ," do not let politics distort our truthfulness and our good human nature". A number of Taiwanese religious and charity organizations started donating for this earth quake relief.
Many times, I was moved into tears by what Premier Wen did and what the future President Ma did for helping the people, and by the endless hard efforts made by the troops and rescue workers, medical doctors nurses, etc.
The world is promising because we have good leaders who do not give up, and that we have so many people who always give their hands to those unfortunate and suffering people.
The death toll is increasing day by day . C hildren lost parents, parents lost their children. Many people are injured and need medical treatment. Food, water, clothing, shelter, medical treatment, and a new home and perhaps new relatives, all these are needed by many people in the region. Also, there are still a big number of people buried under the debris waiting for being rescued.
At this sad time, I want to share with you the inspiring stories and hope that we, as individuals, can get involved in helping saving peoples lives too. A contribution to saving lives is the dearest thing to do.
Thank you very much for your very kind attention and sympathy!
Warm Greetings!
“Thanking you for the touching news from China. And I feel very sorry for this natural disaster. I have been to China last summer and liked very much, so I feel even sadder. Please share with me further if you found a good way for the donation, as you indicated in your last email.”
Many thanks again."
Colleague:
" Thank you for making us or me at least understand and feel that tragedy at a human level.
your testify king of woke me up and make me wanna help"
And many more.....
The Administration is working on a machinery so that all staff can make donation and we will collect it and send it to an reliable organiyation...
I was told that Our Director-General has sent a condolence letter to Premier Wen through the Chinese mission...
Let-s keep working with hope...
I record this just to remember the love and care that many people have for people suffered in a disaster.
"it is indeed very sad and disturbing, but at least the government is acting in a very responsible way (compare this to Myanmar ...)
all our thought are with them now"
14 May 2008 19:34
"The tragedy in China has been immense but the response of China's leaders and the Chinese people has been impressive and a shining example of the humanitarian spirit of a great country. Thank you for sharing these moving stories with us. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those who have suffered from this natural disaster."
15 May 2008 11:01
"Thank you very much for this message.I found it profound and moving and I write only to share your sentiments and your emotions.India, my country of birth, is no stranger to these horrors and tragedies and our philosophies of dealing with them are so similiar.Please accept my sincere and heart felt condolences as well as my admiration with the heroic way your people are dealing with the situation."