A lot has been said, read, heard and seen regarding the Uttarakhand disaster. Everyday the television channels are witness to debates which range from discussing the cause, nature, politics, economics, heroics and what not. All these debates are required and as a part of open democracy should be encouraged. However little is being said or done regarding two things.
First is to go beyond the rhetorics of the causes. Every body knows that we played with nature and in turn nature is playing with us. A few years back I extensively and frequently traveled to Himachal Pradesh. In a couple of years there was a huge change in the climate. The trees were cut without a second thought, dynamites were used for blasting the hills, all in the name of development. Mandi a small place always had a lovely weather but within a few years it became hot and lost its charm. The same thing has happened to Badrinath and Kedarnath. The hills which were once green with black tulsi are now barren, it is hot and the ubiquitous polythene bags can be seen everywhere. The need of the hour is to formulate an environmental policy which is effective and takes local socio economic parameters in mind. Also in such areas a single window system is required for the clearances of projects because unless there is coordination between all the departments, the private players will keep taking advantage of the loopholes in the policies.
Secondly currently the entire focus is on evacuating the people who are stuck there. Little is being said or done for the locals. My friends from my political party who are working there are reposting that entire villages have been washed away along with the infrastructure. They require not only our prayers but short term and long term help.
The state of Uttarakhand has been pushed back by atleast 10 years. A lot has to be done very sincerely and cohesively to restructure the state. Both the places involved are sites of great religious faith, therefore the local governing bodies have to be taken in confidence and made a part of the reconstruction process.
At the end a special mention to all the personnel of the armed forces who have put their lives in danger to rescue them. But again it is calamities like these that give them an opportunity to show their strength and mettle and to give back to the society all the love and respect that they have earned.
A word of caution for all the politicians like me, to be away from blame game and one upmanship. A lot can be said by our party for other party and vice versa but we need to look at the bigger picture. An individual is of no consequence at such times, so he should stop making sound bites to portray himself as the right Prime Ministerial candidate.
Let us all make whatever small efforts that we can make to rebuild the state and also have a bigger vision so that such calamities can be avoided or at least we are better prepared.
Shradhanjali to all the people who lost their lives.
First is to go beyond the rhetorics of the causes. Every body knows that we played with nature and in turn nature is playing with us. A few years back I extensively and frequently traveled to Himachal Pradesh. In a couple of years there was a huge change in the climate. The trees were cut without a second thought, dynamites were used for blasting the hills, all in the name of development. Mandi a small place always had a lovely weather but within a few years it became hot and lost its charm. The same thing has happened to Badrinath and Kedarnath. The hills which were once green with black tulsi are now barren, it is hot and the ubiquitous polythene bags can be seen everywhere. The need of the hour is to formulate an environmental policy which is effective and takes local socio economic parameters in mind. Also in such areas a single window system is required for the clearances of projects because unless there is coordination between all the departments, the private players will keep taking advantage of the loopholes in the policies.
Secondly currently the entire focus is on evacuating the people who are stuck there. Little is being said or done for the locals. My friends from my political party who are working there are reposting that entire villages have been washed away along with the infrastructure. They require not only our prayers but short term and long term help.
The state of Uttarakhand has been pushed back by atleast 10 years. A lot has to be done very sincerely and cohesively to restructure the state. Both the places involved are sites of great religious faith, therefore the local governing bodies have to be taken in confidence and made a part of the reconstruction process.
At the end a special mention to all the personnel of the armed forces who have put their lives in danger to rescue them. But again it is calamities like these that give them an opportunity to show their strength and mettle and to give back to the society all the love and respect that they have earned.
A word of caution for all the politicians like me, to be away from blame game and one upmanship. A lot can be said by our party for other party and vice versa but we need to look at the bigger picture. An individual is of no consequence at such times, so he should stop making sound bites to portray himself as the right Prime Ministerial candidate.
Let us all make whatever small efforts that we can make to rebuild the state and also have a bigger vision so that such calamities can be avoided or at least we are better prepared.
Shradhanjali to all the people who lost their lives.
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