Friday, 02 August 2024 | Gajendra Singh Negi
Meeting message
The recent meeting spree involving the cabinet minister Dhan Singh Rawat and the top BJP brass in Delhi has heated up the political environment of the rain-lashed Himalayan State. Interestingly, Rawat met PM Narendra Modi, Union Home minister Amit Shah, Uttarakhand governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh and former CM Bhagat Singh Koshyari in a span of less than a week. His photo-shoots in the Parliament with former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni and the wife SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav- she hails from Garhwal – also attracted attention, triggering speculation of Garhwali leaders teaming up against the CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. This has naturally rattled the Dhami camp, given the acumen, stature and grip on the party organisation Rawat is known to have. Political observers, however, point out that though Uttarakhand has a dubious history of political instability with the State having seen as many as 10 CMs in the last 23 years, the saffron brass may continue throwing its weight behind the incumbent CM.
Kanwad trouble
The massive surge in the number of pilgrims in the annual Kanwad Yatra in the last few years and their growing hooliganism has left the State in a pathetic fix. As per a rough estimate, about five crore Kanwadiyas are likely to visit Uttarakhand in the first fortnight of the auspicious month of Sharvan which is three times the total population of the State. With limited resources at its disposal, the State government has deployed its machinery to ensure a smooth Yatra when rain is ravaging several swathes of the State. However, the conduct of many Kandwad carriers is highly deplorable and obnoxious. The mob erupts in violence at the slightest provocation. Subsequently, vehicles are vandalised; passersby are thrashed; women are subjected to misbehaviour and the law enforcers are mishandled. As the saffron-hued State government feels utterly helpless to take on the Kanwadiya menace for obvious reasons, the religious leaders and preachers are being called to address the issue in earnest. It is suggested that a meeting of revered leaders representing the Sanatan Dharma be convened to discuss the matter threadbare and a set of guidelines be firmed up to rein in the bullies masquerading as Shiva devotees. A collective appeal by different religious leaders is likely to sober down the uncouth guests now on the rampage.
The Saviours
Set up in 2014 with a mandate of responding swiftly to natural disasters and quick and effective execution of relief and rescue works in Uttarakhand, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) remains engaged in commendable work in disaster-prone places. The valiant personnel of the force have proved handy in every situation of disaster in the State and have become the first and finest responders in every type of natural calamity. In the ongoing Kanwad Yatra, the SDRF personnel have saved more than 200 Kanwadiyas from drowning in Ganga. Given the yeomen service they are rendering, the State government should offer additional incentives for them and raise more battalions of this elite and special force to effectively tackle natural disasters perennially plaguing the State.
