Where do we go from here?

The people of Japan have displayed an astounding degree of resilience in the face of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11, 2011. Are Indians similar to the Japanese in their ability to bounce back after a tragedy? We find out whether being asian has anything to do with it

Where do we go from here?

Last Tuesday, a Tsunami-ravaged zone in Japan formed the backdrop for a graduation ceremony.

Students of the Hashikami Elementary and Junior High schools were awarded diplomas, as refugees housed in the school building made way for the annual ceremony. Was this a testament to their never-say-die spirit?

Pupils pray in silence for the earthquake victims during a graduation ceremony at an elementary school in Ishinomaki in Miyagi on March 18, 2011. Japan battled a nuclear and humanitarian crisis on March 18 as engineers worked to restore power to a stricken atomic plant, while the toll of dead and missing from the quake and tsunami topped 16,000.

The Japanese people are trying to re-build their lives after the earthquake and Tsunami that struck on March 11, 2011.

An example of their resilience was when a local newspaper had reporters handwrite news on paper, which was later distributed to refugee centres, as there was no electricity for printing.

Mumbaikars have displayed a similar resilience in the face of tragedy. One day after the train blasts of July 2006, Mumbaikars were back to travelling by local train.

Dr BK Rastogi, Director General, Institute of Seismological Research, who has been to Japan on several occasions to study the effects of earthquakes feels that the Indians and Japanese are similar in terms of their resilience. "Though, they are a lot more disciplined and honest."

Tomoyo Yasuda, a 25-year-old, who has been in India for the last four years, feels that people of both countries have similar traits by virtue of being Asian. "We are both community oriented.
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The feeling of togetherness is a lot more, as compared to Western countries. We don't want to put other people down to rise. Community is more important than the individual," she says.

Another important aspect that binds the people of both countries is a common religious outlook.

A large percentage of the Japanese follow Buddhism, a religion that advocates the belief in destiny and karma. "A mayor of Japan recently said that what happened was due to karma.
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That thinking is very similar to Hindu philosophy, which helps people move on quickly, with a sense of dignity and comfort," explains Yasuda.

Hosi Batliwala, who has been teaching karate for the last 36 years, and is a frequent visitor to Japan, believes that unity is what makes the Japanese bounce back quickly from tragedies on this scale.

"They unite to face calamities together. Their caring and helpful attitude is what aids them," he concludes.