- Paradoxically speaking, the Indian Union Government at the Centre most vociferously wants the citizens to believe that we are not only an extremely aspirational society but also poised to be counted among the most developed nations by the year 2047. While it sounds fulfilling and boastful to mention the same during conversations, the fact of the matter is, we as a country are far from even realizing the stated objectives, when even some of the most basic requirements continue to be neglected by the civic agencies. Mind you, if India must grow to become one of the most advanced nations, the emphasis must be placed on strengthening infrastructural developments to unprecedented levels, with other critical economic verticals contributing as well.
PC: The Indian Express
- The moot point to ponder over here is whether we are heading in the right direction as the current dispensation wishes us to believe. The apathy, lackadaisical approach, gross negligence, and unwillingness to learn from past mistakes continue to mar our civic agencies from discharging responsibilities on expected lines. And then there are innumerable avoidable tragedies occurring because of utter callousness and negligence from the civic authorities, resulting in fatalities. The recent Noida tragedy tells us how little citizens matter to civic authorities, never mind post-tragedy probes. The usual blame game, cursory sympathies, announcement of compensation, forming of a committee to inquire, peremptory visits, and then we are back to the same old ways.
PC: Moneycontrol
- Even a country used to terrible accidents caused by civic authorities’ criminal negligence wasshaken by the recent death of a 27-year-old in Noida, because it’s unbelievable how a tragedy so avoidable was allowed to happen. An investigation team is now on the job, part of the Great Indian Ritual practiced by every Indian state following deaths due to negligence of authorities. Will the drowning in Noida, like the drowning of three students in a Delhi basement, or the fire that killed 22 kids in Surat, or the little boy drowned in an open drain just outside his home, or the average 34 electrocutions a day (2021 data) – be allowed to fade away without any real stab at preventing another accident from devastating families? Expect no change in the system. Cynical? Yes!
PC: The Federal
- In the Noida accident, it’s important to understand what exactly trapped in water meant. The young man was driving home on a foggy night on a unit stretch on an ill-designed, sharp turn, 90-degree, alongside a wasting plot of land dug deep (20-30ft) for a mall about a decade ago. What about the water that had turned the plot into a pond? Noida authorities have been figuring out for 11 years the how-to and what-to of draining housing societies’ rainwater and wastewater in the neighbourhood. As for rescue, what is staggering is not the lack of remorse, but the excuses offered for why a team of cops, firemen, and state disaster response teams could not muster a rescue plan for over two hours. The systemic negligence should be obliterated. Simple.
