Nepali students studying in foreign countries, in association with local counterparts, raised significant amounts of funds. Migrant Nepali workers came back home to support their families and relatives. Nepali sports personalities and cine artists visited the field to support the needy.However, beyond these limelight-hogging celebrities there are millions of unreported young local volunteers to give respite to victims and their relatives. CCTV footage of Kathmandu Mall shows an injured young man busy rescuing other trapped persons in the rubble before the arrival of police and governmental rescue squads. Young bystanders in Dharahara area who were not hurt immediately started rescue works seconds after the ancient pillar collapsed and tremors paused. Sindhupalchowk, Gorkha, Rasuwa and other hilly districts relied solely for days on local youths to rescue trapped people and other essentials from under the ruins and rubbles. Under the leadership of Bibeksheel Nepali numerous unpaid youths did great assistance to quake victims in remote parts of surrounding districts outside Kathmandu, managing everything on their own.
Nepali social media users in Facebook and Twitter called for youths to visit local areas to help in rescuing trapped people or animals, building makeshift camps, raising funds for buying required tents and tarpaulins, eatables and other basics, engaging children in fun activities to overcome their fears and many more. Generally, personal updates in social media were replaced by posts requesting helps to victims, images displaying rescuers doing their jobs, aid distributions and other supports carried by local groups or unorganized individuals. Much hyped personal pictures and philanthropy in social media was criticized by some while others defended it as a push for more volunteerism and support.
Interestingly and encouragingly, the aftermath of the quake witnessed otherwise inactive youths in Kathmandu and other urban centers turn into volunteers despite hurdles. They were not technically experienced to rescue people but emotionally ready to do their bit to help the needy. They were not organized but their efforts were largest in volume besides state-level assisting attempts. I personally experienced this on the ground. Governmental and all kinds of I/NGO and humanitarian organizational supports were centered at Kathmandu valley and nearby districts. They were not found in other remotest parts such as Dobhane and Khatumma VDCs of Bhojpur where more than 80 percent of houses have collapsed. Fortunately only two people died as all villagers were working in the fields when quake jolted their houses.
Sunsari-based journalists, especially from Dharan and Itahari, collected 4,000 kgs of food items and 150 tents and tarpaulins for 308 families in the worst affected areas of these two northern VDCs of Bhojpur. In Dobhane, hundreds of houses are damaged forcing villagers to stay under open skies. Similar is the situation in Khatumma VDC. The locals were happy at the support provided by local youth groups and volunteers. Governmental support came only after local youths helped manage bamboo sheds for temporary shelters and collected required food stuff for few days.
Nepali youths at these turbulent times have shown their true vigor. They made their presence felt in the aftermath of this national tragedy. Nepal bore great human loss and sustained monumental damages including World Heritage Sites. However, Nepal got an opportunity to assemble all Nepalis at a spot and self-energized millions of young volunteers to rebuild Nepal. Those who thought that it is only the governmental responsibility to lead us to prosperity have come to the ground and done the needful. Nepali unity and integrity is sensed among Nepali youths in post-quake situation.
The author is a freelance journalist based in Itahari, Sunsari
biratanupam@gmail.com
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