The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Poor relief effort

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 30, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Poor relief effort

Sir, — This refers to the editorial, " A poor relief effort" (Dec. 29). It is unfortunate that soon after the killer tsunami struck on Sunday, the Government did not press the Army into rescue operations on a war footing. It is also unfortunate that bodies in the worst affected areas like Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu were allowed to decompose. Has the Government taken adequate steps to protect the ground water?

S. Ramachandran,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — It seems more people may lose their lives in the wave of water-borne diseases, if adequate preventive measures are not taken. The Government might have been unprepared for the tsunami but surely it cannot be unprepared for the outbreak of epidemics?

V.J. Chiran,
Mysore

* * *

Sir, — Ministers and other VIPs should stop visiting the affected places as they will only hamper relief work.

V.S. Ganeshan,
Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — VIPs should visit the affected areas for a firsthand account of the damage. Often, local authorities are sluggish in implementing rehabilitation programmes. If higher authorities come calling, they are on their toes. Also as representatives of the people, they have the responsibility to reach out to the affected.

Fahad Hussain,
Aligarh, U.P.

* * *

Sir, — While it is true that VVIP visits are a hindrance in many ways, it is also true that the affected people want some higher-ups to hear their woes.

D.B.N. Murthy,
Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — It is not as if we have the best of facilities to handle any sort of natural disaster. However, tsunamis are new to India.

This is not the time for the media to criticise the Government. It is important to project the good things done by the Government, the NGOs and individuals. That will motivate others to come forward to help.

V. Govindarajan,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

* * *

Sir, — It is heartening to see many private organisations involving themselves in relief work. It is also their duty to ensure that relief reaches the needy.

B. Kamalakkannan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Is it not a shame that even in the face of such a colossal disaster, politicians in Tamil Nadu are continuing to fish in troubled waters? If even such a tragedy cannot make them forget their enmity, what else can?

V.V. Balaji Viswanathan,
Baltimore, Maryland

* * *

Sir, — It is ironical that politicians are playing games at the cost of relief work.

Arun Bansal,
Fatehabad, Haryana

* * *

Sir, — Leaders of political parties visit the affected areas and donate funds. Why don't they mobilise their cadres, who are more than willing to participate in rallies and dharnas, to help physically during such disasters?

K. Senthil Raja,
Gurusamipalayam, T.N.

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