Pakistan United.

For the past week and a half the mainstream media a lot of blogs have covered the South Asian earthquake in great detail. It has been the topic of discussion almost everywhere, which is why I've tried not to discuss it on my blog. Until I read this beautiful poem submitted to a Pakistani newspaper by a reader.

A DEADLY silence befell my nation
before shrieking wails pierced the air.

The earth had spoken
unleashed its fury
heaving and rocking relentlessly.

The smog from debris
blinded the eye.

An abyss appeared
my people united
spiritually charged;
Mouths parched
fasting but unwavering
in their willingness to help
those who were trapped
deliberating death.

Tough choices to make to be gulped by the ground
or smothered by the sky,

My heart bleeds
my soul aches
I choke on my meal
while people starve for a bite
I'll close my eyes/and eradicate the pain
justify my existence
I'll open my eyes
hide behind my guilt.
And exist.

Thousands have died, and while I consider myself fortunate enough not to be affected by yet another natural disaster, my heart goes out to the victims, specially as most of them are still awaiting aid in extreme weather conditions. Mothers sent their kids to schools in the morning, not knowing that it was the last time the're seeing their son, or daugther. Men ran home from their workplaces hoping that their family would be okay and their homes not as badly damaged as some other buildings, only to find a big pile of rubble, hearing faint cries from underneath, unable to do anything but hear their beloved familes embrace death - slowly and very painfully. And then there were those who probably died in their sleep, the old and sick, the newborns and toddlers - a generation lost.

I spoke to my mum who's in karachi at the moment and she told me that Pakistan has never been as united as it is now - There are aid collection centers all over the city, almost EVERY PAKISTANI has given something away from their homes to be sent to the north of the country. There's a tremendous outpouring of passion as its never been witnessed before. Doctors, ordinary citizens, and even the militants who have for years fought in Kashmir are reaching the hundreds of towns and villages carrying supplies, blankets, whatever they can - to help those in need.

Pakistanis abroad are contributing heavily too. The guy who owns the company that I work for, and its a relatively small company with around 10 staff and £10 million annual turnover, has just donated around 15,000 blankets and 4,000 tents. He's just one of the crowd, there are probably thousands more around the globe who have contributed in some way.

And then we've had the amazing support from the international community, specially Britain which was the first to send its rescue teams to Islamabad, within 24 hours of the quake.

We see people killing people on the telly everyday, but every now and then something happens that restores my faith in humanity. For every murdering twat out there, there are atleast 10 caring and responsive souls. Its a shame that it takes tragedies to bring us all together.