Allama Iqbal wrote prophetic words in a poem titled 'Khizr -e- Rah, whose meanings are: Epic struggles of ones life are depicted by the untiring marathon life of a mountain digger (a miner) who does not put down his tools till he has achieved his goal. Iqbals words are an amazing description of the extraordinary events that took place 2,000 feet below ground, in Chile. Those 33 lonely souls demonstrated the indomitable spirit of human survival when faced with almost certain, slow and painful death. They defied death and refused to accept defeat. Every day their fortitude and faith reached new heights, in contrast with the dark depths of their rocky grave. The whole Chilean nation and indeed the whole world prayed for them. But those Chileans believed that God helps those who help themselves. They were also able to prove that great technological feats are not the monopoly of super-powers. A small nation can become a great nation in 69 days Another aspect of their greatness was the fact that the highest in the land were gladly and proudly embracing the manual labourers who were the national heroes. Let us all salute them and emulate them. A great nation, literally left no stone unturned to save 33 precious lives. Alas, we are in the habit of destroying 33 or more lives, in a single day and we do not even turn our heads when such atrocities take place. Iqbal must be 'turning in his grave In Chile, the earth had swallowed the 33 men. But Mother Earth did give birth again to the glorious 33. The Chilean nation demanded their 'debt of human cargo from the earth - and they did not rest till the debt was fully paid. The re-birth of the 33 was the re-birth of a proud nation. It is said that the hardest steel comes out of the hottest fire. Great feats are always products of tears, toil, sweat and labour. This indeed was Iqbals message to humanity. KHALID A, London, October 20.