A beginning!

Monday, June 08, 2009

... death is still a spectacle

The boat quivered as the engine squeaked into life. It continued grumbling for a while before setting into smooth rhythmic motion. We - a group of over 50 people from different backgrounds, cultures and age groups - were off for jet boat excursion.

The boat cut through the waves as it veered through the water. Every once in a while, our captain would take a sharp U-turn or deliberately drive through the welts drawn by other boats. Waves would hit our boat with a thud splashing water all over us. We would shout, cheer, and encourage our captain further.

Our captain was not just an adept sailor but also an expert anchor. He kept us busy with anecdotes, wisecracks and interesting local information.

... and suddenly our captain pulled across a fishing boat. His trained eye was quick to notice the tiny wobble of the fishing tackle.

Everybody in the boat wanted a closer view. The excitement in the atmosphere was palpable. It took efforts. The little over a foot long fish, even with a hook stuck in its jaw, put on a brave fight - fight for its life. It ended as it usually does. Without letting the fish go off-hook, the fisherman expertly pulled the tackle inside his boat and carefully released the fish onto the net. Wounded, and struggling to breath, the fish gasped for a while before finally giving in.

Everybody in our boat stood and clapped and cheered the fisherman. Feeling proud and satisfied the fisherman half bowed in acknowledgment.

In 21'st century's civilized world, death is still a spectacle.

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... And many prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all... They refuse to hear screams or to peer inside cages; they can close their minds and hearts to any suffering that does not touch them personally; they can refuse to know...
- J. K. Rowling
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