Deadly Carnage at Virginia Tech

There's been a shooting carnage at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia yesterday (April 16th). It has been a horrific incident on a university campus in the united States and the deadliest ever. According to News reports so far it has claimed lives of at least 31 people (students, faculty) and scores more have been injured. They finally identified the shooter this morning as being as Asian Male (a student apparently), who lived in one of the dorms (Norris Hall) and was a student at V. Tech too.

I can't even begin to comprehend the feeling that must have gone through each student's minds when the shooter walked into the classroom and randomly started shooting??! What must it have been like to stare death in the face, to know there was no escape......to realize with horror and panic that the 'innocent looking' fellow-classmate who had just walked in through the doors was going to pull out a gun and start pumping bullets into everyone?

It is such a sad and senseless act....one that is beyond comprehension! The loss of lives, the shattering of peace in the hallowed halls of an academic institution, where one is supposed to be safe from the outside world and the only challenges present should have been intellectual.

I have been contemplating on this heinious act and the question that continuously plays in my mind is just WHY? WHY? WHY? How far - to the edge of reason - could someone be pushed before they would snap and go on a wild killing spree? There just doesn't seem to be a logical answer. The killer as it has been eventually reported turned out to be a 23 year old student at the Univ., who eventually took his own life too. What must his family be going through? Could he not have reached out to them, or to any friends or relatives to let them know he was suffering? Was he so angry at the world that he sought revenge and justice in only this macabre manner?

I feel saddened and humbled as I write this. Anger and hatred is a very poisonous thing...it can perpetrate the depths of one's being and consume a person in its eternal flames. But in moments like that, we all need to take a step back and try to put life in perspective. We need to reach out and talk to people - whether professional or at a personal level. Violence is definitely not the answer...it will only lead to more hatred and retaliation, like a vicious circle that can never be broken.

I say a prayer for all the innocent students, faculty and people who lost their lives in this unfortunate tragedy. May their souls rest in peace. And may their families and dear ones have the strength to get through this difficult time.

Shubho Nabo Borsho..........the dawn of a new beginning

'Nabo Borsho'.....'Poila Baishak'.........the start of the Bangla New Year! The new calendar year in Bengali coincides with the start of Spring....hence the term 'Baishak'. It normally falls on the 14th or 15th of April. Incidentally, the occassion is also marked in other parts of India by various communities (Tamil, Punjab)

Aah....'New Beginnings' ...I've resolved to write a blog more frequently. I've decided not to think too hard about a good topic and just let my mind wander......and subsequently pen down random thoughts.

So as I was saying....... What a way to herald in 'Spring'........ The night of April 15th (Sunday) & April 16th, we've been hit by a torrential rainstorm and flood!!! Most of the East Coast actually is experiencing severe rain and snowstorms! Never seen the showers come down so strong and the force of the wind is just unbelievable!! It's almost like earth is washing all her sins away and getting ready for a new avatar. I live on the 12th floor, right on the waterfront (across the Hudson) so the whole night I could hear the wind howling outside and the windows rattling! Was a little unnerving! :)
The water levels have risen ..........i can see that so clearly from my window...I can't imagine people who have houses in low-lying areas....i'm sure a lot of basements have been flooded.