There are few life changing moments that impact deeply how we look at the world, and at our own lives. The birth of a child, the passing of a parent, and in this case, a visit to Auschwitz & Birkenau.
Four hundred and thirty two acres, surrounded by a 10 feet high barbed wire perimeter, defined the “largest killing center in the entire Nazi universe”. Popularly known as Auschwitz II, the massive complex at Birkenau was systematically planned with one goal in mind — a total annihilation of the Jewish race.
This site is, at best, a tragic memorial to the thousands of Jews that perished here. At its worst, it is a cruel reminder of the evil that can live in the hearts of those that lived among us.
We walked in silence, sensing the vast expanse of pain and suffering enforced on a generation of innocent people. Three hundred barracks lined systematically as death chambers each housing over 700 Jews. One such barrack that we walked through, housed women who died because they were unable to work, or were too old.
In many such barracks, thousands of innocent men, women and children perished due to disease, inclement weather, the gas chambers, and broken human spirits. Through tear filled eyes, we walked in quiet solitude almost as to not disturb the spirit of those that perished.
Pictures of young men and women hung on the walls at Auschwitz as solemn reminders of their fate. The bewildered helplessness in their eyes will forever haunt my heart.
I learned a lot about suffering, survival, the death of innocence, and the evil that can exist amongst men. I think this experience has changed my life forever. I just wish the circumstances had not been so tragic.
About Hemant Rustogi