Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury

THE devastating earthquake that rocked the western Indian state of Gujarat and also in a much lesser scale some parts of Sindh province in Pakistan has brought home the message that South Asia has commonality in many areas including vulnerability like experiencing natural disasters like floods, cyclone and earthquakes. When any severe cyclone or hurricane strikes or likely to hit eastern coastal areas of India, the alarm bell is also rung in Bangladesh because of the geographical proximity. Similarly, when floods batter Bangladesh or adjacent areas of India, the deluge often transcends the international boundaries. In the shocking catastrophe in the form of the earthquake in Gujarat the death toll may exceed a staggering number of one lakh. And this underlines the fact that South Asian nations are so much extricably linked to each other not only historically and culturally but their physical closeness is such that one devastation affects the others.

The earthquake in Gujarat has sent tremors down the spines of Bangladesh as well, although the region is closer to Pakistan for the simple fact that this country is not out of the danger zone

when a neighbouring country is struck by the calamity of unbelievable magnitude. Newspapers reports and experts here immediately sat down to analyse the chances of tremors in this country and most agreed that several areas of Bangladesh very much falls in the vulnerable zone and necessary measures must be taken to meet any eventuality. True, predictions about earthquakes are difficult but contingency plans must remain in preparedness.

Obviously, the countries of the South Asian region can certainly cooperate in the field of disaster management. These nations often face natural calamities that not only claim huge toll of lives but also leaves colossal damages to other fields including the infrastructure. None of the countries of the region is free from this impending danger and all are helpless to the fury of nature. The earthquake in India is the latest of the disasters that has engulfed the region. It has struck India with such severity that South Asia has not experienced such a quake in last fifty years. Hearts of the people of the entire region - along with those of the world - are out in grief for the victims and the homeless. The newspapers are replete with heart-rending reports on the woes of the affected people.

It is a matter of common knowledge that the political scene prevailing currently in the region is not healthy because of escalation of the enmity between two big countries and the uncertainty that has gripped the forum South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) over the holding of its next summit. The event was to take place in October 1999 but could not be held because of lack of unanimity among the members. The trouble is evidently between India and Pakistan, and consequently their bilateral bitter ties have spilled over to the Saarc, causing indefinite delay to the Saarc leaders' conference. India is known to be unwilling to attend as it considers the time for the summit is not conducive at present. The Saarc summit was postponed and delayed earlier also but never before it hung in the balance for such a long time. Once the decks were cleared, the event took place, and not much time was taken to remove the misunderstanding or the problems that caused the delay. But this time the complexities seem intractable despite certain signs of thaw towards improvement of the situation.

The quake in India has generated sympathy and goodwill in all the SAARC countries which are trying their best to assist India where the relief

works have become too gigantic a task in view of the heavy losses to both men and material. Friday's magnitude 7.9 scale flattened two town in the Gujarat state.The army and thousands of relief workers are grappling to meet the huge relief operations which is proving a Herculean one. Like the world leaders, South Asian leaders too have extended the hands of sympathy to the fellow regional nation in India at this hour of distress although the capacity of these countries are not much and India as a big country has also means to a large extent to meet the situation. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to convey her deep shock and also expressed her willingness to visit the affected areas in Gujarat. Other leaders of the region have also shown similar feelings. Even Pakistan, whose ties with India are often bad and is believed to be at one of the lowest ebb at present, has sent relief materials in air force planes. Country's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf has sent messages of condolences to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Because of the hostile relationship and belligerent postures by both the sides, New Delhi-

Islamabad ties are quite inimical these days. Against such a backdrop, Indian government was not initially keen to accept the relief materials from Pakistan but later agreed. Planes load of Pakistani relief goods landed at the Ahmedabad Airport. Indeed, its is noteworthy because humane elements do work even during war and here two neighbours are in bad ties and certainly not in a war.

When devastating cyclone and deluge struck Bangladesh in 1984 and big number of people perished in Urir Char island and other areas, all the South Asian countries came up generously with goodwill and assistance. Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and president Jinius Jeyewardene flew to the affected areas of Bangladesh's coastal region. Later, General Ziaul Haq also came to see for himself the magnitude of the devastation. In effect, this was the demonstration of the South Asian solidarity with the people of fellow Bangladesh. The world saw with appreciation that a region, which is driven by so much of rivalry and political divide, could rise to the occasion of distress cutting cross the differences. The international community had greatly commended the gesture of the Saarc leaders to Bangladesh at that difficult time.

This time too the South Asian leaders have come forward with the gestures that are only expected of them. Their means are small but the requirement is huge given the nature of the destruction. Developed nations and international organisations are coming forward to help and assist the Indian people at such a juncture. Even a small gesture makes big help in the form of understanding and goodwill. The regional countries are exacting doing the same to India at this stage. One can be sure that the people of India will welcome such gesture not only from member nations but even from Pakistan - which is otherwise a hostile nation for New Delhi. But humanitarian approach and principle make people forget many bitterness at least temporarily. None is under the illusion that this gesture will turn the unhealthy political environment in the region healthy overnight. In fact, this is not going to alter the fundamental scene here. Nonetheless, South Asian fraternity which has been developed even in the midst of inherent distrust and misunderstanding has now come to the fore again and this certainly deserves unqualified commendation.

Zaglul is Diplomatic Correspondent, BSS