It’s a wonderful world, the Thai cave rescue proves it

Divers from a dozen different countries came together sans frontiers to save these kids

For once it was the goodness of mankind that prevailed.

Even the rain gods have been moved to change the weather forecast in Tham Luang cave in Thailand’s Chiang Rai region. With a deluge expected and a precipitation predicted the odds were dwindling for the 12 boys and their coach. Then there was a miraculous lull and a patch of blue.

The most dramatic search and rescue operation in recent times ended with a hundred per cent success against all odds. All 13 are safely recuperating and the world can cheer as they are reunited with their families.

The proof that the world can be a better place is amplified in this incident. In an era of bleak news and gratuitous violence where negativity is spread like butter and our news diet is of rank failure and destruction this heartening saga is a beacon of hope that goodness still prevails. The world came together and for once it didn’t matter if you were black or white or brown or zebra striped or which God you prayed to, billions of people wanted these boys and their coach on terra firma and back with their stressed out families. Everyone wanted them safe and the politics of it all was cast asunder. There was no blame, no screaming and shouting TV anchors creating chaos, no VIP syndrome where individuals cash in on plight, no pointless debate on costs, a subject that did not even arise but must have run into millions of dollars. Just a surgical strike that was precise and singular in its aim; get those kids out.

Can you even begin to imagine the extent of the ordeal and the miracle it is that they are all alive. The coach Ekapol Chanthawan deserves a medal for keeping the boys’ morale up and all of them safe on a little mound of mud in pitch darkness, for over two weeks inside a cave. How did they survive so long and not fall off into the water? Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!

What a wonderful world we live in when 100 plus divers from a dozen different countries come together sans frontiers and put their lives on the line to save these kids. When a government behaves with such a high sense of responsibility and values the lives of its children and puts every asset it has to bear a successful outcome. No talk, only action. When the media watches in awe and can fault nothing with, even the decision to bring in the strongest first based on deep logic. It gives the diving teams that much more practice and familiarity with challenges so as to give the weakest that much more of a chance. And the weakest get time to get better.

No grandstanding or political capital. Even the Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has deliberately stayed away from the site so as not to impede the effort. He has had the grace not to capitalise on this issue. The coach apologised from two miles inside the cave while trapped to the parents of

Can you even begin to imagine the extent of the ordeal and the miracle it is that they are all alive. The coach Ekapol Chanthawan deserves a medal for keeping the boys’ morale up and all of them safe on a little mound of mud in pitch darkness inside a cave.

the children with grace and humility for the agony they are suffering. The system worked perfectly and with seamless and well planned dovetailing of various disciplines. Hospitals on alert, choppers at standby, the absence of dozens of self-appointed experts nothing to detract from the solemnity of the effort and the guts and glory of the rescue teams. Only the Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn being the spokesman, no ugly conjectures, no rubber necking. All these elements have contributed to making the rescue a success.

Thailand, take the Boars to the World Cup finals next week. Invite them to Russia, Mr Putin and give them a parade for they are the most famous football team in the world.

As we salute the SEAL who lost his life, we congratulate the Thai government for a magnificent effort. Thailand, take the Boars to the world cup finals next week. Invite them to Russia Mr Putin and give them a parade for they are the most famous football team in the world. As it is there is an invitation from Fifa President Gianni Infantino inviting the Boars to the Sunday match. Special passports and a free flight, for in their salvation we see reflected after a long time the goodness of mankind. The whole stadium, nay the whole planet will give them a standing ovation. For their being safe and for their indomitable courage and strength of will in staying alive against all odds.

Which one of us can but cry the happy tears, which come only with the triumph of the human spirit.

Bikram Vohra is a former editor of Khaleej Times