كُتِبَت بتاريخ 01-01-2005 05:17 PM           IP: 212.138.47.17      

Dear Friends,

As the year 2004, comes to a close, a natural disaster struck our planet Earth with ruthless ferocity, leaving more than a hundred thousand dead, in what is the worst disaster of its kind this century. The whole world was caught in Psycho-trauma and learned helplessness.

I don’t intend to chronicle the horrors of the catastrophe. However, I believe that even in the direst circumstances, there is much that can be done to help.

I believe strongly in the resilience that people draw from each other. I’ve noticed that often these experiences are not pleasant ones to live through at the time. Yet they serve their purpose in producing lessons for the future. I believe in the importance of each person making an effort to help, and the richness of life’s lessons in helping us overcome obstacles that get in the way. Above all, as Professor Arshad Husain, of the University of Columbia-Missouri has pointed out: “Hope is an amazingly powerful force, even in the face of the worst tragedy, and, interestingly enough, hope is contagious”.

Let me hope that 2005 brings you a disaster free and trauma free year. I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Please accept my best regards.