Northern tremors: City relives Nepal aftershocks

The tremors of the earthquake that shook Pakistan, Afghanistan and North India were probably felt in far away Kolkata by many who had to bear the brunt of the Nepal quake aftershocks that hit the city in April-May this year.

Manish Chakrabarti, heritage architect was all for reusing the earth’s resources better. “The earth seems to be angry. But it is more angst than anything else. We should stop building high rises and reuse the existing structures. We need optimum utilisation of the earth so that the next generation can benefit”.

He pointed out how  developed cities,  who has excessively used the earth in the past, are now in the path to reuse, regenerate, being organic and getting into solar and clean energy. “Post UN 2015, sustainable agenda tries to lead the world in this direction,” said Chakrabarti.

Chakrabarti also feels that tribals, because they worship the earth, have a complete understanding of which and what are replinishable and therefore reusable. “They are with one with nature and therefore role models for this policy of reuse,” he said.

Seemanti Bose, who works in an MNC, was watching a movie at Forum theatre when the earthquake was felt in North India. “When nature selects, you hardly have a choice. As far as Kolkata is concerned, the government must take some preventive measures, like issuing alerts in time for the people to protect themselves. “The risk is always there. We can just keep our fingers crossed. Life is ephemeral, so live it up,” said Bose, philosophically. Designer Hemal Kapadia, who was alone in her studio during the Nepal aftershocks felt in Kolkata, recounted that “the entire building was shaking. It was very scary”.

On Monday’s quake that shook up Pakistan, Afghanistan and North India, she said, “Disasters help us remember the sobering truth that our lives are ever-so-brief. And that we can’t control everything. Tragedy brings us together and today we find ourselves praying for those affected by this horrible catastrophe. It was in April when I felt a tremor in Kolkata and it was so scary. I was safe but it was painful to see what was happening in Nepal as it is now, seeing images of the injured in Pakistan and Afghanistan.”