Editor
For the past two weeks the residents of Bishnupur have been rudely awakened every morning by the agonised cries of street dogs being mercilessly bludgeoned to death. What are the animal protection agencies doing? Why can’t they get these dogs neutered and put them in shelter homes? Why can’t they do something to protect these poor creatures who are being massacred in a horrendous way by human beings who claim to be human but are worse than monsters? Are the animal protection groups only interested in getting donations which are never to be used?
These poor creatures are homeless so they sleep on the streets. We only bother about costly breeds because they are status symbols. They show how rich we are but we have no feelings for these poor creatures who have to die at our hands because they do not have a home. They trust us and for that they have to pay with their lives.
Yous etc.,
Reena Singh,
Via email
Human greed leads to disasters
Editor,
The monsoon fury in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and several regions on the Western coast caused severe and terrible flash floods, horrifying landslides and severe torrent making life of the people miserable. The disaster claimed so many lives and thousands were evacuated and thousands sheltered in relief camps. Kudos to the Central forces, army personnel, fire-fighting force, police, local people and the fishermen for once again, they became the real saviours of the common man. Though the government authorities of these states rose to the occasion questions do rise on lack of foresightedness and failure to implement long time strategies.
Haven’t lessons been learnt from last year’s devastating deluge? Questions now arise on what did the lawmakers and the government do? One long year was sufficient time to take necessary measures and precautions to at least lessen or avert the disasters caused by monsoon fury. But it seems nothing was done except for namesake. Lack of proper mechanism and plans has yet again pushed the state to inexplicable misery. Last year, just after the deluge in Kerala, though some proposals and plans were laid out on paper nothing materialised because the government lost track and concentrated on ‘issues ‘ other than those concerned with day to day life of the common man. Man is just a pawn in front of nature’s fury but then some foresight, caution, plan and timely execution can truly mitigate woes at times of natural calamities.
Encroachment into flood plains, building resorts and allowing human settlements on hills and river banks, exploitation of ecologically fragile areas is still going on, thanks to “unlimited money and political power.” Sand mining in rivers actually kills the rivers and uncontrollable over flooding occurs. For example the sand mining done on the Valapattanam river north of Kannur city will make anybody get a heart attack. Illegal mining happens in broad daylight and things are worsening as the mining is nowadays done near two major bridges which can cause disasters in future. The same plight is seen throughout the state and others too. But nobody bothers. Opposing and ignoring the Gadgil report, quarrying goes on, murdering the mountains which now is one of the factors for landslides. Without stopping such murders on nature man will not be able to sleep in peace. Deluges and landslides will repeat.
Rescue operations and evacuation of people to safer places will go on but then the question that comes to the mind of the common man is – has this turned out to be an annual practice and won’t there be an end to this peril? The authorities and those in power should answer.
Yours etc.,
M Pradyu
Kannur – 1
US’s desire to buy Denmark
Editor,
The USA is an absolute epitome of modernity having been shaped and chiselled solely by the efforts of its citizens. It can be said that the USA is a man-made paradise on earth. It is a country which wants to be the trail-blazer in everything from science and technology to space research and medicine. They are the leaders. Having utilized the country’s resources to a great extent, now they want to buy the largest island in the world- Greenland to tap its unexplored natural resources. Towards acquiring this, Donald Trump tried but the effort was in vain.
The largest island with a sparse population of around 58,000 belongs to Denmark though it is away from Europe and close to Canada. Therefore, it is located in the North American continent. Hence it is quite natural that Trump has sought to buy it from Denmark. But Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has termed Trump’s wish ‘absurd’ triggering a diplomatic row of sorts. Yet Trump’s interest in Greenland is just the latest indication of the island’s increasing geo-political importance.
Why is the US covetous of buying Greenland? Greenland lies in the Arctic region which is at the forefront of opportunity and abundance. 80% of its 811,000 square miles are ice-capped. It houses 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil, 30% of its undiscovered gas, an abundance of uranium, rare earth minerals, gold, diamonds and millions of square miles of untapped resources. It is important to the whole world, not just the superpowers at the moment as its ice sheet, miles thick in parts, are melting in an unprecedented way exposing still more fossil fuel.
Also, its strategic value is linked tightly to new North Atlantic shipping lanes opening up due to melting polar ice caps. The new lanes have dramatically decreased maritime trade travel times, which generally include travelling through the Panama or Suez canals to circumnavigate the world. So, the region becomes more and more important and once the largest island becomes part of the US, surely it can influence the world order with a hegemonic role. Perhaps, the immense natural wealth hidden deep in the snow of the island may have been understood by the Yankees. So they will keep pestering Denmark to part with it by offering the best price. The craving for somehow possessing it began in 1946. Will it materialize in the near future though Denmark has outrightly refused it right now? Only time will tell.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email