Killer Roads

The news of the tragic, untimely demise of young software engineer  Giridharan Lakshmanan in a freak accident at Chennai was unbelievable and shocking. That an energetic, promising life has been so cruelly cut short by fate is very difficult to comprehend. The magnitude of the tragedy gets multiplied by the fact that he was to become a father soon.

Such unforeseen, unfortunate   happenings   force  us  to  travesty of   faith –  in God, in the system, et al.  That  the  youngster  had  to  lose  his  life  totally unaware  in  full   public   glare    for   absolutely   no  fault  of   his, heightens   the  sorrow  and  aggravates  the  pain.  A heavy  scaffolding  fell on the victim and even  wearing  helmet  could  not  save  his  head.

Callous  and  careless  attitude, inefficient work  execution  by  the officials,  workers  of  the  Chennai  Metro  Rail  Project  has  snuffed  out a  life  bubbling  awith  energy  and  efficiency,  like  chaff  before the wind. No   words  of solace can  console his elderly parents,  relatives  as the loss is irreparable  and  irretrievable. Who  would  ever  expect  that death  can  stalk  and  strike  a  person  so suddenly  throwing  the  family  off   the  hook,  by   shattering   their  hopes   and  happiness.  Incomprehensible   indeed.   

Law  should  not  spare  those  persons whose indifference and negligence gave  way  to  this tragedy  and   must  land   on  them  in  the strongest  possible  manner,  so  that  such  lethargic  work  execution   is  done  away  with   and  eliminated.  Statistics   say  that over 1,50,000 people lose their lives on Indian roads every year -  an alarming,   astounding  loss.   Probably we may ingloriously   lead   the   world  in  this.  They   are   attributed   to  human  errors  or  rashness  or both. 

On hearing such news, I get cross with the Almighty for being so heartless, when He is eulogized as the embodiment of kindness and compassion.  How can He have the heart to snatch such a life when scores of elderly,  afflicted with ailments  are  yearning  to  call it quits. Et  Tu  Dei.

Such   painful  events  go  to  demonstrate   the  uncertainty  of  life.  We should only thank our stars on returning home safe every day. Presently human existence has not only become difficult but has also turned out to be fragile. In such an emergency it collapses like a pack of cards.

                    

May the departed young soul rest in peace and the heartbroken,  beleaguered  parents  be  given   sufficient  strength  to  bear  this deluge.                        

                                                          ======