Haunted by the horror of genocide
‘TOO scared to look us in the eye’ (Talking Point, October 13) refreshed my memories of scars of my family’s trauma and grief, post the massacre of hundreds of innocent people as a consequence of ethnic violence. I can relate to the fear and anxiety of the survivors of Port Arthur massacre after 25 years as I am also a part of the community who put up with the same emotional turmoil.
My grandparents had seen bloodshed in 1947 during the partition of India (Pakistan was carved out of India when the colonial powers freed India in 1947). Though I was born many years after that, the memories of the dreadful genocide were fresh in their minds even when I was growing up. The stories of slaughter of their near and dear ones had been absorbed by me and no matter how much I try to erase them I can’t wipe them out.
My boys are the fourth generation to live those painful memories. It takes ages to heal these scars.
The real-life tragedies shown on screen draws the audience and generates revenue for those who can never relate to them.
Such attempts cannot obliterate the wounds of the actual victims and their families.
I appreciate the entertainment industry for taking such stories to the masses, but voices of victims and their families should be incorporated to send the genuine message. Else, it becomes a callous attempt to mint money out of someone’s sufferings.
Komal Amit Gera
Lindisfarne