Earthquakes in Indonesia and South Pacific islands of Samoa and tsunamis followed by quakes have wrecked havoc and killed hundreds of people. Thousands are still missing and has left both places totally destroyed. Death tolls are expected to rise in next few days.

Entire communities living on Pacific islands of Samoa and Tonga have been left in ruins after waters washed away houses, roads etc. Initial earthquake which shook the island brought in giant waves within 20 -30 mins washing away everything. Indonesian earthquake in Padang on the other side was of 7.6 magnitude and later was followed by second tremor of 6.8 magnitude. Two hospitals, mosque, hotels and a mall have collapsed apart from several houses.  Scores of people have been injured. International aid is being sent to the areas affected.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. It has been devastated by earthquake in 2006 and tsunami in 2004 which killed nearly 130,000 people. Even Samoan islands are prone to natural disasters too. All these islands are major tourist hot spots. Many foreign tourists are feared dead. Among them is a small British boy.

Via Telegraph.co.uk

South Ossetia was the battleground and bone of contention in the recent war between Russia and Georgia. Russia stepped in to defend this small rural land when it was attacked by Georgia in last August. South Ossetia is thankful to Russia for defending their sovereignty but after euphoria has died down they are facing long harsh winter and difficult task of rebuilding their nation and life.

Tskhinvali is still in ruins and people are shivering in make shift homes. The promised aid is trickling in slowly. There is severe scarcity of even drinking water. The reconstruction is slow because of there are only two factories which produce building materials. The supply if any must have to be brought in by narrow highways which are often blocked by avalanches in winter. Also there are instances of theft and diversion of trucks bringing in supplies. Moreover much depends on the intentions of contractors too. So rebuilding has been slow for more than one reason.

It is indeed ironic that nations wage wars for their geographic boundaries and national sovereignty and end up destroying and ruining lives of their own people. Unfortunately homes can be reduced to rubbles in overnight bombing but it takes long to rebuild them. And scars never really heal.

Via The New York Times

Werner Herzog’s film Aguirre, the Wrath of God (made in 1972) will always be counted among one of the finest and magnificent films ever made. The theme of the film and characterization of Aguirre will find a special mention for time immemorial in the history of film-making. 

Amazingly this film on greed and ambition of a man for wealth, fame and power and ultimate descent of man into self-destruction, brutality and total insanity in his mad pursuit of the same is so relevant even this day. This film has no wings of human fantasy. The expedition which goes in search of El Dorado, the land of gold and to spread word of God looks so similar to many undertaken in the human history for years. Wars have been waged, battles have been won, and man has conquered Land and Nature by simple brute force fuelled by mad ambition to rule. Also Nature too has humbled man by equal force, if not more. Another subtle important truth that comes across in the film is that religion cannot tame human greed but rather can become a manipulative tool for the strong in the ultimate conquest.

On the last day of the year 2008 when world is sinking deeper into financial crisis due to ever-dominating trait of greed and ambition of human beings, this film indeed is a must-watch for all those who want to deconstruct darkness and brutal aspects of human soul.