A real human being. May the power of his soul inspire others to act.
11
The best of people usually toil in obscurity helping hundreds, thousands and in this Doctor’s case over a million people.
These are the people we should look up to.
11
Just finished reading separate articles about the anti-Semitic carnival float in Belgium and the spraying of swastikas on dozens of Jewish graves in France. Then I read about the murder of this wonderful man. I really feel like throwing up.
12
Water is the new oil.
5
I didn't known this hero, and the languaje of killing is a response of profit invasions as it is usual nowdays, but
man like him will succeed in defeated societies to show how self sacrifice is the languaje of love,life and restitution.
5
Real hero works together with those who need the most and seeing the situation from their point of views. Thank you and Rest In Peace.
6
I want to thank Dr. Nakamura for the extraordinary work that helped hundreds of thousands of people for so many years. He was73. May he rest in peace. I also appreciate the NYT coverage by the three reporters on the ground in Afghanistan.
14
Mercenaries might have pulled the triggers but the order was given Far to the East of Afghanistan. The Civil war, the Taliban and ISIS fighters are are supported by Pakistan. Who controls the resources of Afghanistan, controls the whole region. Water is the most important resource. More than the lithium, copper, chromite and the rare earths of Afghanistan. We have all lost a great spirit in Uncle Murad who will live on in the oral history of each Afghan family he touched. The Afghans will not forget this. This murder is viewed as a personal attack on each of the families nurtured by these waters. Uncle Murad is now a beloved martyr. What will follow is a debt of honor, beyond simple counterstrikes, revenge or politics.
18
You can see the intelligence and goodness in his eyes in the photo. No doubt about it. What an inspiration.
9
A real hero. Thank you for making the world better, rest in peace.
10
I am incredibly saddened by this news. I did humanitarian work in Afghanistan previously and regret that I never met this hero.
What a loss. May he rest in peace. Thank you, Tetsu Jan, for your incredible contributions to humanity.
My sincere condolences to his family, colleagues, and all the Afghans who loved him.
12
And why was this man not given the Nobel peace prize already??
35
The article triggered my memories to recollect the service rendered by Dr.Ida Sophia Scudder, a third generation American Medical missionary visited India at her twenties in 1890 and dedicated her life for the cause of the citizens ailing with plague,cholera and leprosy till she had her last breath in the year 1960 in India. Is it possible to think of the glorious medical service rendered by the Christian Medical College Hospital,Vellore,Tamil Nadu in India by ignoring the founder Dr.Ida Scudder of CMC,Vellore ?. As in the case of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Ida Scudder never received Nobel Prize in her lifetime . Posthumously, she hadn't received the Bhrata Ratna ,the highest civilian award in India by the Govt for the service rendered in India.By killing Dr.Tetsu Nakamura,
Afghanistan has been made to disappear an avatar of Dr.Ida Scudder in Afghanistan. Probably an association with the American Medical Missionary could have helped Dr.Testu Nakmura with an adequate security, aid to his medical service and also a helping hand to establish a hospital similar to CMC,Vellore in Afghanistan. Will this world recognize the service of Dr.T.Nakamura posthumously in 2019?.
8
His death is heartbreaking; a true selfless individual. Rest in power.
13
Stories like this fill me with such despair for humanity.
People who willing destroy all that is good, are the definition of evil.
RIP Dr.
22
Islamists claim to believe that acts like this take place because Allah wills them. Rick Perry claims to believe Trump is president because God willed it. Religious fanatical derangement is a feature of all cultures.
19
Rest in peace to a truly wonderful person. The world has lost a great deal today.
15
We have to wonder if the human race really forwarded ourselves when good people bettering lives are violently stopped from furthering the cause. Another tragic loss to an already tragedy filled area. May Dr. Nakamura rest in peace. He and his work was and will continue to be appreciated.
32
Dr. Nakamura, you were a great human being. RIP.
20
This fact pattern is similar to the instance of Fred Cuny. Fred brought water to a war torn region and then disappeared in Chechnya in 1995.
-Michael
7
Thank you is not enough. Inspiring us to be better people to others is how we would pay you back.
19
here's a link to the nhk docmentary
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2058552/
amazing person
15
Thanks for getting to the point, eventually. But did we really have to read four preliminary paragraphs beforehand?
3
@polymath Really?
5
In this season of hope and renewal, let us pray for peace on earth.
16
What a terrible loss. Interesting that the Taliban don't claim responsibility perhaps it was Isis.
8
He was killed by Pakistan because according to Afghan officials, he was currently working on Kunar province water and building series of small dames
Currently the water of Kunar river's water flows to pakistan. if the dames got constructed, the amount of flowing water will decrease and its is a big loss for pakistan and pakistan does not want this to happen.
23
In a world that idolizes the Bezose and Zuckerbergs of the world, I am in absolute awe that people like this exist.
77
I truly hope someone takes up his work!
Sounds like a wonderful person, and why was he killed? It hurt only Afghans.
4
Thank you for sharing this information about a good man. His death is a tragedy, but reading about his simple goodness cleansed my brain after reading too much about Trump and Giuliani. Almost.
21
Dr.Nakamura is an amazing hero in a world full of awful human beings who do nothing but hurt or consume. Afghanistan and Pakistan has killed many educators, social workers, women change agents, journalists, doctors...These are lands of toxic masculinity. How do you change that?
16
He cured both sickness of the body and sickness of the land. He was then assassinated by sickness of the mind. Too sad.
37
true hero
12
A terrible loss, I watched a documentary on NHK a year ago and was so impressed with his work. A loss for the nation and whatever the Taliban may say or do, they are not and probably never be for improving the lives of anyone. They are thugs and thieves.
12
What a humbling experience to read about Dr. Nakamura. He must have known he was walking besides death everyday and yet knew no fear. Such a generosity of thought, such compassion and intelligence as a doctor. What a foolish world we live in that some people with a nationalistic bend and guns seek to destroy their own advantage. I hope American republican voters reading this understand the idiocy of an immigrant hating, gun toting agenda.
18
RIP. What kind of depraved people kill an old man who is doing no harm to anyone, and is actually helping them bring back villages?
And we think we can do a deal with the Taliban? I know they denied it, but this is what they do...
8
The two arab states of Pakistan and Afghanistan do it to each other, and woe betide the good people seek mercy and justice who get in their way.
3
This killing illustrates the nonsense of believing in any religion. The stupidity today of humans killing humans because of a mythical story is the epitome of hypocrisy.
12
Horrible, horrible, just horrible!
May Dr. Nakamura's family and the people who loved him find peace.
7
Islamic extremists know no mercy and no tolerance for others
Why are we so tolerant of the intolerant ?
15
Re: "...A window of the vehicle that was attacked while carrying Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, a Japanese medic and honorary Afghan citizen, in Jalalabad on Wednesday..."
As an American citizen voter, I'm proud of / please, about the achievements of the late Dr. T. Nakamura!
I wish I could make that same comment about the past 18 years, worth of America's, (Afghanistan - Iraq) foreign policy, with the 200,000 civilian 'collateral's, damaged' resulting as we 'search' for imaginary N.-W.M.D.'s!
4
Peace may have been at hand before Trump and his fools stepped on it by walking out. Asked about the peace talks 3 months ago, Trump said: “They’re dead. They’re dead. As far as I’m concerned, they’re dead.” Indeed, this hero is now dead. Thank you Mr. President. There are real consequences for abject political cowardice, failure and blind stupidity.
4
Posthumous Nobel Peace Prize, please.
21
@Mark
Yes. A posthumous Nobel Peace Prize to be given to his immediate family. This man deserves the honor; the Japanese will appreciate a sincere gesture on behalf of Dr. Nakamura. It is pointless to discuss Trump's feckless foreign policy decisions. Trump need not be invited to the ceremony, because he will make it about himself.
10
Dr Nakamura, I wish I had known of you before your passing. I would have wanted to tell you thanks for the incredibly selfless work you did for those in truly great need. You worked without the agenda of flag, god or profit, and despite firsthand knowledge of the terrible danger of your efforts. Your death saddens me but also provides hope because I know there are many others quietly working away to help others. Much love and respect to you all.
33
May his memory be eternal, and may we all be inspired by him to make our own small contribution to alleviate the suffering of others.
45
He grew up in the Post WWI era in Japan just like I did. He knew how fortunate he was to have been alive while many others have died just like John Hersey said in his report of aftermaths of Hiroshima atomic bomb in 1945. I am certain that Dr. Nakamura felt what John Hersey called those who survived horrifying ordeals of life knew "in the act of survival, they had lived a dozen lives." We owe our very short, very fortunate lives to give better lives to those countless less fortunate ones that deserve much more. I am certain that Dr. Nakamura knew he had done so. He had a full life. I am extremely happy for him. I only wish I had his talent but that's another story.
69
A needless murder. One more example where education is so important for turning the minds and hearts around for humanity's sake. A noble idea, and a difficult one to implement, but left undone, more good souls will disappear unnecessarily. Dr Nakamura is a saint.
14
A sad end to a true hero whose legacy will include inspiring others to improve the lives of others with knowledge and leadership instead of bulldozers or money.
16
Never underestimate the power of an evil ideology that has wiped out native faiths and people all over south asia, from Afganistan to India to Bangladesh.
11
A hero for Afghans and people all over he was revered by Afghans so assuming killers didn't know who they were targeting; Sad that he had to move on this way. Shame to perpetrators.
6
If he had known the way his life would be taken so senselessly and violently, I wonder if he would have continued with his humanitarian work. I bet he would have.
9
what an impressive man. no doubt he will be missed.
12
Genuinely sorry to read this awful news. May his story live on for those who most need to hear it.
12
Doubtless, the canals do not exist any longer...
we need to get to the bottom of who is responsible before any talks with Taliban, for fear this is more of the same.
make no mistake, Afghanistan was and still is terrorist breeding ground.
5
A true bodhisattva.
21
As they say “ it’s easy to live for your self, but rare people live for others! Mr. Nakamora lived for the most needy people of Afghanistan & believe me, most Afghan citizens, are devastated, shocked, & feel guilty by not protecting his life.
As an Afghan myself, this great man left the path of a humbleness, Respect for humanity, countless services for the people Afghanistan. His legacy will be strong lessons for the upcoming Afghan generation.
May the Almighty Allah bless your soul, Amen.
84
I am grateful to Dr. Nakamura for being an angel and his sacrifices. We all needs to learn from him.
23
Dr. Nakamura is a great man, a benevolent man. However, why didn't the Afghanis already have canals or at least have known about them ? The people he helped were refugees, but the people living in the area, "the villagers", apparently could not figure out how to build them without outside help - surprising.
6
Different societal values, crops and geography, as well as chaos over the last few decades.
7
@Enough Humans , Why can't good people from everywhere figure out how to save our planet...without outside help?
2
@kirk, humans have figured out how to save the biosphere. Reduce the human population and reduce CO2 emissions with a myriad of available engineering schemes. Now we just have to do it. I'm doing my part - no kids.
5
Hopefully a Nobel posthumously. I wish he had received one while he was still alive. A true hero is Dr. Nakamura.
61
Nobel prizes are not given posthumously, except if the award is given, but before it can be claimed, the recipient dies.
Nobels are never awarded posthumously.
@Cailin
Perhaps an exception can be made for this selfless, honorable man of peace. It would mean much for his family and for Japan, a country dedicated to peace for the last 70 years.
4
Dr. Nakamura is the stuff of Nobel Peace prizes; the very embodiment of words and thoughts translated into unselfish actions. I became aware of his work about 5 years ago and thought him the very exemplar of humanity. I am crushed by this news. If those who would change the world by simply yelling and screaming at it would actually DO something like Mr. Kakamura, our differences and problems would be halfway solved by now. Now, I need to go listen to the live version of "Heroes" by D. Bowie and cry.
86
It is a cruel irony that only in death do most of the deeds of amazing souls come to light to a wider audience. It is also a cruel irony that the people truly worthy of running a country or corporations are not those same amazing souls. For the latter, we get the likes of Trump, McConnell, Bezos, and Zuckerberg instead.
126
I never heard of Tetsu Nakamura until I read this article, but how touched I am by his life. What a difference he made to so many people, both in terms of healing the sick and bringing water to the thirsty. What a hero of our time. And of course, what an immeasurable loss to all of humanity. Fare Thee Well, "Uncle Murad," you can't imagine how much you'll be missed even by those who never knew you.
139
Perhaps what we should all attempt to draw from this story, this man, this doctor, is that there are solutions to many terrible problems in life. Maybe we all need to try harder to use our wits, our logic, our intelligence, and our drive to look for these solutions and find a way to help implement them. There is so much evil in the world, but for today we could do it in honor of the good and for Dr. Nakamura.
89
An utterly disgusting act against a beautiful person. My condolences to those who appreciated, cherished and loved this man.
62
He was a selfless hero.
42
This is the saddest thing I've read all week. What a life this man led, and I'm shocked that I'm just hearing about him now. This man was truly a global citizen. I graduate medical school this year, and this man just became a role model.
138
What a sad, sad thing to hear. I saw him on TV (I think is was on PBS) a few years ago talking about building canals and helping people there. It was his calling in life and that was very clear. I am at a loss of words to describe the kind of people who would kill him and his colleagues. The Taliban is working hand in hand with Pakistan to keep Afghanistan destabilized and give a reason for Trump to pull out of there which will only serve to reconstitute Taliban and Pakistan’s reign in Afghanistan which in turn will come back to haunt us many years from now (a la 9/11).
37
@PK What good does sadness do you, Dr. Nakamura, or the Afghan people?
Be glad for the fact that he was there for people who needed him and that his heart was large enough to devote his life to helping others.
Remember how many lives he made better because he believed it was the right thing to do.
I think he was the kind of person who would want people to turn their grief into work and that he would talk about the Afghans who died because they did not have clean water and how much remains to be done.
9
This act very vividly shows the emptiness of human beings who commit such rank evil in the face of real grace.
27
Dr Nakamura story very much parallels that Keiji Nishioka who did so much to improve modernize and improve agriculture in my native Bhutan. Mr Nishioka however was honored by both the common people and even the King. Although he died 25 years he is still remembered fondly with much gratitude.
Its a a real shame that the Afghan people could not ensure at least safety for someone who did so much for them.
72
@Steve
As clearly indicated in the article, the Afghan people honored him and respected him greatly. This is a profound loss for the Afghan people.
When I read dialogue such as yours, "a real shame that the Afghan people could not ensure at least safety..." it reeks of condescension.
What a shame Americans (such as myself) can't protect little children from gun men. My point being, citizens the world over are trying their best to protect each other despite corruption (NRA/Congress), or living in a country that has been at war for over 40 years.
The first thing you could learn from Nakamura is to have a more open mind, have less prejudice, and more perspective. It's not easy to protect anyone in Afghanistan. Have you even been there? You should consider your words before you pass judgement about how "ashamed" the people should be.
19
What a great man. He will be sorely missed.
65
There should be a special place in humankind's collective memory for men and women like Tetsu Nakamura.
I feel a loss that I never had the opportunity to meet the man.
There are many people in this world who appreciate your past efforts and kindness.
It's unfortunate that there will always be a battle between good and evil. I never understood terrorism as the terrorists hurt those people that often are are working in their country to help them and their families.
Rest in peace kind gentleman.
190
This is the kind of news story that does more to sink one's heart than most others.
How many will suffer and die for want of the help they might have received from those who will now abandon their plans to help those in need living in unstable regions?
In America these days we wonder at those who vote against their own interest. In Afghanistan and other places, they go far beyond that.
85
Nice sentiments except for repeating the trope that anyone who voted for you-know-who actually voted against their self-interest. Of course, only you can determine their best interests.
You need some of the humility demonstrated by the good doctor.
1
what a beautiful man. it is sad to see a brilliant and beautiful soul killed by the tormented and confused aspect of humanity.
105
Thank you, Dr. Nakamura, you made the world a better place.
148
What a terrible tragedy for Japan, Dr. Nakamura's family and the Afghanistani people he helped and who so honored him. Why were our people in Afghanistan unable to think of things like this heroic man did? A double tragedy.
39
What a generous being made all of heart. Wishing Uncle Murad the benevolence of a peaceful rest, may the people of Afghanistan remain grateful to carry on and protect the moving and influential efforts Dr. Tetsu Nakamura made.
70
This was a truly inspiring story to read with a truly tragic ending. I only hope that the outrage at his death can have a lasting impact on the warring factions in Afghanistan, helping to bring peace to this war-ravaged nation.
44
I always wonder how these special humans are made of, while we are struggling with trivial things in our personal life.
They have grit, determination, and empathy towards fellow humans. You are an inspiring soul and live forever through your work and I hope someone from Afghan province will carry forward your legacy.
A life lost too soon. Rest in Peace!
224
What an amazing person. May he rest in peace.
114
What a sad news.
I am grateful that we live in a world that has people like Dr Tetsu Nakamura. I am embarrassed that I didn't know anything about him, and it took his death for the world to widely publicize his life's work. I wish there was a little more coverage of folks like Dr Nakamura and less of Trump's latest tweets.
I admire the tenacity of Dr Nakamura for living in Afghanistan through its most turbulent period. The world could learn something from his desire to find common ground, build friendships, and look for practical rather than flashy solutions.
291