Hiroshima Day
Hiroshima day is a grim reminder of the dropping of the first atom bomb (ironically named Little Boy), 63 years ago, by the U.S. on the helpless and innocent citizens of Hiroshima . The Uranium bomb detonated at precisely 8.15 am, 2000 feet above the ground surface, turning a beautiful Monday morning into an inferno of unprecedented destruction.
Every year, peace loving people all over the world, and more so in Japan , observe 6th August as Hiroshima Day in memory of the millions killed and/ or maimed for life for generations to come. As of today, the death toll ( due to immediate loss of life and the long drawn out radiation impacts) stands at 242,437. About 270,000 A-Bomb affected people ,called Hibakusha, live in Hiroshima today.
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were nuclear attacks near the end of World War II against the Empire of Japan by the United States at the executive order of U.S. President Harry S. Truman on August 6 and 9, 1945. After six months of intense fire-bombing of 67 other Japanese cities, the nuclear weapon "Little Boy" was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on Monday August 6, 1945, followed on August 9 by the detonation of the "Fat Man" nuclear bomb over Nagasaki. These are to date the only attacks with nuclear weapons in the history of warfare.The bombs killed as many as 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 80,000 in Nagasaki by the end of 1945 roughly half on the days of the bombings. Since then, thousands more have died from injuries or illness attributed to exposure to radiation released by the bombs. In both cities, the overwhelming majority of the dead were civilians.
Today, Hiroshima stands tall as a picturesque and clean city; a city of peace that is almost crime free. It bears testimony to the indomitable spirit of the Japanese people, to their faith in life and in the goodness of humanity.
Hiroshima Day should remind us of the importance of peaceful coexistence so that we never start a war. Militarism is wrong and there is no glory in war. Taking a human life is the most inhuman act and does not justify any end. On this sombre day let us join hands with all likeminded, peace loving people of this planet to shun war and violence in any form.