London/ 28th Dec
I am not going to write here on the Afghanistan or Iraq wars. However I want to log my experience in a war like atmosphere here in this snow chocked Europe. Nature’s fierce face has caused a major turbulence in our recent times. Though we are scientifically well informed and equipped; there are some extreme weather conditions that are left under estimated or even unnoticed; like Tsunami, avalanche, sand storms etc., Snow is not an estranged substance to Europe, especially in the central European regions. Winters are often attributed by frequent snow showers. Entire country gets a special coating of heavenly snow, that entirely white wash almost everything, making it a spectacular view. However when it gets intensified greatly, it certainly becomes a war zone.
Germany, the country with a very high standard of living, has got a comprehensive social security in place. This nation is also the home to the third largest number of international immigrants. This winter has caused a remarkable encumbrance for all of those who live in the territory amidst this Christmas and holiday season. Germany, being an important transportation hub, with extensive autobahn (speedways) networks and polycentric ICE high speed rail networks; these trains sped between 200 KMPH and 330 KMPH with a very high frequency. The normal train connections are often offered at once per hour or two hourly once intervals. But now these snow drenched rails have forced the Deutsche Bahn authorities to pace down to a maximum of 160 KMPH, causing increased travel time, delays and cancellation of its services on high traffic lines. Hence, extreme weather condition like now proved to be completely disastrous and stranded to handle the situation.
This is the same fate for all the international airports, as the runway is completely shut down causing major trouble to the passengers. For an extremely punctual country like Germany, withstanding such uncertain schedules was an absolute chaos and mayhem. The train stations and airports were completely crammed with passengers who are frantically waiting to catch their trains and flights to join their families for Christmas and New Year eve. Frankfurt, the major international hub serving transatlantic and Asia pacific destination was almost shut down for a week. As most of the airline companies were off from their services causing high revenue loss and higher inconvenience to passengers. I got a chance to witness the stranded passengers in the quiescent airport terminal and some of them have made their bed in the check-in conveyer belt.
In the midst of several cancellations, my British Airways flight was scheduled to depart with a few hours of delay. Somehow I managed to find a train that connected me to the flight well in time. I am now out of war zone. I couldn’t stop myself to correlate such a scenario happening in India. In my opinion, western world may learn from India, the art of patience and tolerance. In India, when a train is delayed by 2 hours or 4 hours or doesn’t turn up or flight departs late, there are less people who panic. The environment is prepared for all such scenarios and events like delay, bad weather is any time expected and we are always prepared. Not to mention we have learnt to live with dismay. Certain are the uncertain ones, but we manage it and determined to go the extra mile. Is it the time west listen and learn from us?
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