Is Resilience a renewable Resource?

The 'Love Thy Neighbor' resilience demonstrated by Mumbaiites, at least on three occasions- the dreaded bomb explosions in Mumbai trains -2006; that claimed 188 lives, the devastating floods- 2007 when Mumbai halted for 6 days and the 26/11 terror attacks in the year 2008 that shook humanity globally, plots many questions- Is resilience an expression of mutual generosity, remarkable heroism in adversity and crisis? Is resilience historically a public resource of solace? In a world that links Mumbai, Kashmir, Karachi, Madrid, Peshawar, London, Wall Street and Washington it does not appear to be a source of comfort & solace. Resilience is a public resource. But, unlike terror, it may not be indefinitely renewable. Proverbial resilience of Mumbaiites finds an echo in the otherwise nondescript narrow alleys and on the resonating bathing Ghats of Varanasithe religious capital of India. Perennial faith of Varanasi mendicants extends beyond theorizing and speculations. These resplendent spiritually inclined ochre clad mendicants have set their hearts unerringly on a different destination i.e. Self-Realisation. They subsist on alms, lead minimalist lifestyle, and appear psychologically better dispositioned to undertake self purifying acts. The present paper looks at commonalities, concerns and the perspectives with which both offer solace and hope building.

Recorded: July 2010 Brisbane, Australia
Coping Resilience & Hope Building, Asia Pacific Regional Conference
Organiser: The Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice