India has witnessed yet another disaster and with it has come another outpouring of sympathy, good intentions and long-distance aid - all fuelled by television images of grieving relatives, politicians' and filmstars' flying visits, and long lines of people waiting for help. The media carries ghastly reports for the news-hungry world, which donor agencies use to turn the philanthropy tap on. As a medical professional who has participated in a number of disaster relief efforts including the latest one in Tamil Nadu, I would like to put forward some reality clips not seen on television.