Boxing day: Tsunami second anniversary and James Brown RIP Obituary

It has been two years since the catastrophic tsunami that has affected Aceh (Sumatra, Indonesia), few places in the northwest coast of Malaysia, west coastlines of Thailand, south-western coast part of Myanmar, half of south Sri Lanka, few places in Maldives Island, many parts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and few beaches in Kenya ,where all lies around the Indian Ocean. Of all the countries mentioned, it was Aceh, Sri Lanka and Thailand that were affected the most by the horrific tragedy.

I was in london when it occurred and was following the news in the newspapers and electronic media avidly. Such devastating disaster had killed hundreds of thousands of people and wiped out many areas, especially in Aceh, Sumatra, which was the hardest hit area.

IN a matter of minutes only, those doomed areas have become massive graveyards. Tropical paradises, sleepy towns, thriving fishery businesses all drifted away. Such scenes could only be described as equivalent to an armageddon. So many things have been destroyed and nothing much could be done.

And during this boxing day, 26 December 2004, Aceh has suddenly become the most famous place in the world. Previously, it was globally known for internal feuds and political problems spurred by the separatists who demanded independence from its motherland, Indonesia. Apparently, Aceh was no stranger from bloodsheds and instability. In fact, it has been under Indonesian Army scrutiny for many years. Then, the disastrous tsunami hit its coast wiping out towns and its dwellers.

As reported by AP:

The 2004 tsunami generated an unprecedented outpouring of generosity, with donor pledges reaching some $13.6 billion, but many of the 2 million made homeless complain they still do not have adequate places to live.
Some survivors say they are stuck with poorly built structures that leak, are termite-infested or located in flood zones. Several aid agencies, meanwhile, have been forced to delay projects or rebuild homes after contractors and suppliers ran off with the funds.

That shows that despite the huge loss, the whole world sympathized with the victims irrespective of their beliefs, creeds, race and backgrounds.

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Another main news today was the death of the legendary Godfather of Soul, RnB, Funk and Disco, James Brown (pic above) at the age of 73 due to pneumonia. His signature song without any doubt is "I got you (I feel good)". It was hugely popular all around the world that it was featured in so many hollywood movies where one of them is an oscar award winner "Good Morning, Vietnam" starring Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker and the late Bruno Kirby (whom people would recognize him as the jolly but hot-tempered friend of Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally and City Slickers. He also passed away earlier this year).

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May the late "soulfunk-sex machine" James Brown and the Tsunami victims rest their souls.