User:Krishna Bakunin

One Year in Andaman By Subhash Misra (written on 1 April 2006)

Today, I have completed one year of managing the Tsunami Recovery Program in Andaman & Nicobar. A place that I never imagined I would even visit, let alone to work and live in. But everyone has a destiny. Tsunami cartographed A&N on millions of minds. On that fateful December morning, this forgotten land was scarred for ever, the world waking up to a tragic realisation of nature's fury. The mass media had a bestseller and charity reinvented. Like many Indians, I realised that there were these islands that are closer to so many other countries than a country of which it is a part. The archipelago was crying for help from the watery graves of innocent people devoured by the sea turning hostile for only a few hours but leaving eternal memories of death and destruction.

Why did I want to come here: because the media images pulled at the heartstrings; because I have always been a development professional; but most of all because UNICEF, where I had worked earlier, and with whose mandate I strongly identified, gave me an opportunity. However, having reached here early morning of All Fools' Day, I began to wonder if the decision was impulsive -- wondering what I was doing here, why I had left behind a comfortable metro life, why I have chosen to serve time away from friends and family. All answers were in the conscience; but when the food changed from near-organic to severely inorganic, when the night was of disturbed sleep in a strange bed fearing recurring earthquakes, when I had to introduce myself to every person I met as no one knew me here, when loneliness walked along like an obstinate shadow -- I wondered if I had taken the right decision. Days passed, weeks rolled into months and today a year has gone by. A year that I can look back on with reasonable satisfaction, with pride in UNICEF, my team and myself. Probably there will never be a time when one can check all jobs planned as having been done, but there are times when you feel good for having withstood the storm! A new place, a new team and a new office without an office. But today, in A&N, UNICEF is a credible partner, its logo evokes smiles and warmth, our T-shirts always in demand. In the words of the Secretary to the Lt. Governor: 'UNICEF came here like an angel!' Personally, my Andamans sojourn has enriched my experience through managing a program in an Archipelago, so improbable for an Indian National Officer, and that I got to interact with variety of leadership styles in UNICEF, and even outside, at such a close proximity has been a dream come true.

I still miss the comfort zone I had left 3,000 km behind, but I rarely have to introduce myself to anyone anymore. I definitely could not have done this alone and it is thanksgiving time. The list is large but within UNICEF I want to thank those whose support helped me survive and perform (other than, of course, my wonderful team here)