- The Indian politicians, irrespective of party affiliations, are hooked onto a phenomenon of gathering lakhs of people under one or the other pretext. It could be political rallies, agitations, announcements of welfare schemes, presentations, ceremonies, and some such occasions where crowding more than several lakhs becomes a prestige issue. This crowding is most noticed during election time and Indian people are quite familiar with the same throughout the year. Simply because one or the other election is happening around the country. Now, bringing in people in such huge numbers also demands the provisioning of basic amenities like shelter, drinking water, clean toilets, safety, and maintaining general hygiene standards. Does it happen every time? No.
PC: freepik
- The organizers – whether the government-sponsored event or the private ones – most often than not tend to ignore those very essential requirements to ensure the gathering is not inconvenienced beyond a point. Invariably, facilities extended during such huge gatherings are minimal sometimes leading to catastrophic results. When tragedy strikes, monumental casualness and lack of sensitivity on the part of organizers come to the fore. Look for instance what happened in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai recently. The state event of last Sunday has turned up the heat on the authorities who permitted and organized the same that claimed the lives of at least 13 people, at last count. This is not only unacceptable but also mirrors the complete lack of awareness.
- Men and women died of heart attacks and heat stroke as they were made to sit in the scorching sun for hours without protection and without water to drink. Scores suffered, the numbers an underestimate has given there were lakhs in attendance for the annual state ceremony that this year awarded social reformer, Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. As reported, crowds had even come from neighboring states, and some had camped in that very maidan for two days despite the high temperatures that have baked Mumbai since March. Note that the Met, in February, issued heatwave alerts for various districts of Maharashtra for 2023 – a fact authorities must be aware of. Local officials have said the event went against existing heat action plans (HAPs).
PC: freepik
- Mind you, think tank CPR recently sounded cautious about the poor status of government HAPs after studying 37 HAPs at city, district, and state levels across 18 states. Further, the study noted HAPs have little local context as most focus on dry heat though local humidity plays a large role in turning conditions deadly. The HAPs had little idea about vulnerable groups, little review or update, low funds, no legal teeth, and low accountability. Why we are not surprised by the turn of events? Because it’s become so common practice across the country. Kharghar tragedy makes it even more apparent. In hindsight, the event could have been held indoors and under shelter. Such incompetency and sheer callousness should be avoided in the future. No more tragedies, please!
