Of late, one of the most bandied-about terms in Kerala is ‘Bailey bridge’. These aren’t ordinary bridges; they’re proving to be the superheroes of engineering.
Invented by British engineer Donald Bailey during the Second World War, Bailey bridges are portable, prefabricated structures that can be assembled quickly, even in the most challenging conditions. Imagine Lego on a grand scale, but instead of colorful bricks, you have robust steel panels.
When a landslide unlike anything seen in recent times struck Wayanad, in Kerala, last week, wiping an entire village off the map killing hundreds of people and leaving thousands homeless, the Indian Army raced to the spot to lead rescue and relief operations. And one of the first things they began constructing in the disaster area was a Bailey bridge after many bridges were washed away in the disaster. The Bailey Bridge turned out to be a lifeline for survivors helping rescue teams reach areas and people cut off due to the floods and the heavy rains even as it paves the way to reconnecting families and restoring hope.
But even as the Army was busy building these life-saving physical bridges, emotional bridges were fast coming up across Wayanad.
Connecting hearts and minds, and proving that humanity still exists, people across the state - and outside it- began reaching out to those in need underscoring and highlighting the community spirit of humanity.
Take the incredible story of Bhavana, a mother of two including a kid barely a few months old, who offered to breastfeed infants orphaned by the disaster. Although from Idukki, more than 300km away from Wayanad, she and her family rushed to a relief camp to do their bit for infants.
A textile shop owner Karim donated all the clothes from his store to those in relief camps. Restaurants and hotels provided free food. In Thondernad, a village hit hard by the floods, young people set up shelters and arranged to distribute food. In Meppadi, a group of women came together to cook and deliver meals to isolated families, ensuring no one went hungry. Their initiative wasn’t just about food; it was about showing that someone cared.
In times of crisis, it’s tempting to retreat and build walls around ourselves. But as the people of Wayanad proved, it’s the heartfelt bridges we build that make all the difference. These connections—whether of sturdy steel or acts of kindness—are essential for overcoming adversity. Without a doubt, learning to build bridges of understanding and support can help us navigate our own storms.
After all, aren't the bridges we build, not the walls, that define us?
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