It was exactly 11:56 AM when the earth started shaking horizontally. I quickly stopped playing, dropped the mobile phone, and left the room while shouting. My mother, sister and I gathered at the corridor's door and my grandmother near the door of her room. Suddenly, it stopped and all of us got out of the house and hundreds of locals in my neighborhood gathered in an open place leaving their belongings in their houses. The earth was still shaking regularly, creating fear in our minds. At the moment I thought I was gone. Fortunately, the almighty god was with us and nothing happened to our house and the things kept inside. That day, earthquake kept coming back but they were smaller aftershocks.
Thousands of people have lost their lives in our country. Many people's houses, apartments and buildings in my own neighborhood are collapsed. I later came to know from the news channels and newspapers that the same things happened in many other places like Sindhupalchowk, Gorkha, Ramechhap, Dhading and Kathmandu Valley. The UNESCO's world heritage sites in Kathmandu, including the historical Dharahara and many temples, have been damaged. I'm really feeling very sorry for them who were killed during the quakes and praying for their souls to rest in peace in heaven.
On behalf of the children of my age in this country, I would like thank the countries, individuals and organizations for donating money and other rescue materials for the earthquake victims. My special thanks go to countries like India, China, Pakistan, the United States, the European countries and all other engaged in sending here their rescue teams, air forces, buses and other materials for the sake of minimizing more damages and rescuing the victims. I really feel very proud of the Nepal Army and Nepal Police for rescuing and saving the lives of many people. Also, Nepal Telecom giving free call service was a great help.
My parents say that natural calamities in general and earthquake in particular are not under our control. Yet we can prepare for a better future by minimizing the risks. My father says the Government of Nepal and the citizens here should construct small but strong houses by following the building codes. The government must learn a lesson from this earthquake by strictly monitoring the construction works and materials used.
I hope we never have to face another earthquake again in our lives.
Sakshat is a Class IV student at Chelsea International Academy in New Baneshwar, Kathmandu.
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