Page 50 - ENGLISH 9

SCENE IV
(Baishak 13, people gather and share their views on postearthquake
situations. Most look dumbfounded because of the frequent aftershocks)

Dharmendar : I have heard that almost all the houses in Sindhupalchok
have been destroyed.

Rajamati : Gorkha is another more seriously hit district. Death toll is on
the rise. Reports say tremors are felt further west too;
however, damage is not as serious as in the central region
and Gorkha in the western region.

Curriculum Development Centre
Kumar : Are skyscrapers in the valley safe? I doubt. Old and poorly
constructed buildings must have crumbled. Why do
people neglect basic things at the time of construction? It’s a
pity that our own houses are turned into our own
graveyards.

(Children are playing hide and seek. They look care free. The fear is high in
grown-ups.)

Paru : If people were aware to go in the safe places at the time of
earthquake, human causalities would not be so high. At the
time of emergency we should either be under safe
constrution or we should reach safe places like parks or
open fields. Another important thing I have learnt now is we
should always have an emergency bag ready. At least we
could feel a little secure.
Gayatri : I’m terribly sorry about the deaths .It’s nothing other than sin
of sinful people in this world. The very sin is now having us
all cry and lament.(A truck of army passes by.)

Dharmendar : They must be going for rescue operations. Poor quality of
land might be the reason of some destruction. So many
houses have been illegally erected. They get permission for
two or three storey construction but they go beyond that. So
this was sure!

(Old citizens are sitting together in the sun.)

Pratik : Nepal’s earthquake is the top story in the world. Our
government has already sent rescue and relief teams. We are

English class 9 45