Anisha Bhaduri says it’s inspiring how Hong Kong people pulled together to rise above the gravest tragedy the city has seen in decades

As the Tai Po fire tragedy elicited a steady stream of global condolence that also saluted Hong Kong’s rapid mobilization of resources and exemplary disaster readiness, the enduring image of a hapless, bespectacled man throwing up his hands in angst, disbelief and vulnerability as an inferno unfolded in the background stamped itself into the hearts and minds of hundreds of millions around the world.

That hapless man lives inside all of us — the man who is utterly lost and is unable to make a sense of eventualities. We push him far back into our consciousness when we perceive times as good, when we think time will be always on our side. When we allow hustle, petty competitiveness and a narrow sense of fulfillment or the lack of it to define our self-worth and calibrate our time in this world; when inexplicable sudden death and destruction seem faraway notions that visit strangers.

Except it does not.

It may be beyond our comprehension what horrors the deceased endured in the last moments of their lives, knowing that death was inevitable as embers flew thick and fast and the oxygen was being sucked out of the air; the outstanding courage and determination with which the 37-year-old firefighter went about his work knowing the risks involved before giving up his life in the line of duty; the desperation of the victims fighting for their lives across city’s hospitals.

READ MORE: All-out relief effort underway for Tai Po blaze victim

We are negotiating mortality from the day we were born yet we tend to forget it and define our lives in terms of incremental quotidian comforts that we like to call success. And, sadly, we tend to teach our children that this ill-defined success matters more than the human qualities of unremitting kindness, humility and a curiosity to look at the world not just through our personal lenses but with that wider, uplifting consciousness that is empathy.

Concern and care from the highest level were evident right from the beginning. President Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts to put out the blaze and minimize the casualties and losses. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s decision to stop election campaigning and divert all resources to fight the fire and mitigate the tragedy while starting immediate investigations was timely, intuitive and indicative of far-sighted disaster planning. And it was done in a way without compromising the usual city services that keep the world’s freest economy and its third biggest financial center ticking as usual.

The corporate sector and charities stepped up too with millions of dollars being pledged over and above Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s announcement of a HK$300 million ($38.5 million) relief fund.

But it is the spontaneous solidarity of ordinary Hong Kong people cutting across ethnic, racial, linguistic and political lines that is making disaster relief so much more meaningful. The outpouring of fellow-feeling at the community level that goes far beyond donations, volunteering and citywide coordination of support measures. The selfless, nameless men, women and young people who are doing it because it is the right thing to do, without any expectation of or need for acknowledgement of their efforts. It is heartwarming to see university students and their juniors swarming blood donation centers and organizing rosters to ensure a steady supply at a time when blood may be needed urgently. Yes, the young people of this city are shaking off their disaffected and insular labels, to plunge headlong into the service of society when society needs them the most. Indeed, a large number of young people are spearheading relief efforts. Their engagement and the inspiration that they are giving to both the young and the elderly of this city should not be forgotten. In fact, this may be the right time for aspiring lawmakers who were canvassing votes until a few days ago to pound the streets and personally express their gratitude while extending an understanding and sincere hand to their future electorates with an open mind that accepts feedback without judgement, with zero reservations about opposing views and san sermonizing. Hong Kong people have opened their hearts and put their minds to collectively rise above the gravest tragedy the city has seen in decades. They must be shown respect. 

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In the days and weeks ahead, the government faces great responsibilities. Certainly, relief, rehousing, rehabilitation and offering the victims some semblance of stability top the list. Administrative actions are following their course. But when the initial zeal falters and life goes back to normal for the majority of residents, let us not forget the hapless man throwing up his hands in despair as homes burn relentlessly behind him. We see our conscience in him, a conscience that need not be awakened only in times of crisis and allowed to be relegated to the backburner by petty considerations otherwise. If we do that, we shall fail not only the Tai Po fire victims but all of us.

The author is an award-winning English-language fiction writer and current-affairs commentator.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.