CHENNAI is in the midst of a deluge. But what is encouraging is that many of the citizens have shown that they have what it takes, one helping the other. Doctors have offered free service, public transport workers have willingly faced hazards and many have provided hot meals and shelter. The spirit of Chennai should be highly applauded. Only that can battle the rains. DMK parliamentarian Kanimozhi has appealed to all political parties to stand together. It is not an occasion to trade allegations.
Thousands of people have been deprived of basic services. Water from surrounding lakes have flowed over and piled on the agony of citizens. Admittedly, Chennai’s distress cannot be whisked away. The water will recede but public health will suffer a setback. Water borne and vector borne diseases will spread. Dengue is one of the worst threats. Tamil Nadu undoubtedly has to overcome all political discord to meet these challenges. The Centre has a special role to play in such calamitous circumstances.
It is good that not only Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also the climate conference in Paris are disturbed. A gap between the expectations of the state and the Centre’s assistance may of course arise. But supplies should not be held up by bumbling bureaucrats. Disaster management is still just a concept in Delhi though much talk has been bandied about it in recent years. The legislators and the executive in Delhi would do well to take a cue from the people of Chennai. National unity should be the guiding principle in coping with such natural calamities and it should be borne in mind that no state is an island unto itself.