What do we as citizens, expect from our elected representatives if we face a natural calamity of gigantic proportions?
Do they have to stand with us in our tough times or do they have to serve their political masters completely ignoring the plight of the people who reposed their faith in them?
A study in extremes was visible during the recent floods that led to severe loss of life and property in Gujarat, mainly in the Banaskantha region.
While the Social and Mainstream Media was abuzz with the photographs of Congress MLAs enjoying in a high profile Bengaluru resort during the floods & Chief Minister Vijay Rupani providing helping hands to the victims, what most of the people missed covering was the Farsightedness and Proactive Approach of the Government, especially the Gujarat Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Shankar Chaudhary.
Here is a brief timeline of what actions were taken before and during the Floods
- Although the Rainfall happened in the upper basin of Rajasthan, the Gujarat Government was already alert and hence, it called for a review meeting on 23rd July 2017 in which, it was concluded that the situation could deteriorate and hence, a visionary decision to rope in NDRF and Army was taken. These teams were asked to remain in standby at Palanpur and Dhanera. Proactive Steps to ensure better situation to handle worse.
- Residents in the low lying vicinity of Dantiwada – Sipu dam, within a range of 150 to 200 Kms, were forewarned using a massive outreach programme. Almost all the resources at the disposal of the local Leader was utilized for the purpose which included Sirens, Police, Loudspeakers, Announcements from Village Milk Mandalis, Social Media and various other means of technology based communication tools. An important role was played by the Banas Dairy who’s Managing Director, Supervisors, Employees, associates, everyone in the hierarchy stepped in and ensured effective co-ordination between the people and the village milk association which led to factual and timely two way communications. Efficient Information Dissemination
- Historic Records of the region show that the area had not received such a high rainfall and hence, the chances of flooding were miniscule in the eyes of the locals who ignored the warnings of the administration and stayed put at the river banks. Such resistance from local citizens to heed to the Government’s warnings issued well in-advance resulted in avoidable loss of humans and bovines. Averted a Huge loss of Lives.
- 24th July 2017 was the date when a crack was noticed in the Sipu Dam by a local, Natubhai, who promptly informed Mr Shankar Chaudhary about the same who didn’t bother at all about his political career and asked the District Collector to announce about the same through press conferences and television channels. It was then that the locals realized the gravity of the situation and started co-operating with the administration. In fact in a couple of communication the interpretation was also that the dam has already broken, and waters are rushing which resulted into a blessing in disguise to move people from their actual locations.
- Mr Chaudhary formed 8 to 10 local level teams who directly reported to him. Such informal and direct level of communication ensured timely on-ground reports and co-ordination which ensured the safety of the lives of 1000s of people.
- A huge testimony to Mr Shankar Chaudhary’s dedication is that he distributed his personal mobile number for direct contact with the citizens for the purposed of relief and rescue. The aerial rescue co-ordination was also done through the same personal mobile number of Mr Chaudhary. Mr Shankar Chaudhary didn’t only concentrate on the people of his constituency but also focused on the people of other areas as well which can be judged from the fact that 25 people of Sama Taluka were rescued just by one phone call on his number by one Mr Danabhai Rajput. Since this leader is from the area, and his number hasn’t changed in the last 15 years, this resulted into people calling him left right center, day and in middle of night which were answered by Mr. Chaudhary.
Choppers were used to airlift the stranded people from various places and were safely dropped at a nearby cricket pitch as there was a scarcity of safe and dry land on which landing could be done.
8. From 25th to 30th July, the office of Mr Shankar Chaudhary was shifted from Gandhinagar to Deesa and he himself joined the Air Force and Navy team to personally distribute relief materials and food packets to those who were impacted by the disaster.
Honorable Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani and Various other BJP functionaries also visited the area and assisted in the operations.
Out and out Shankar Chaudhary has demonstrated to be a true leader of the masses. Not caring about his political career, he used his machinery and some information and misinformation to save lives of many.
Estimates say that if these calls were not taken in time, the loss would have been the biggest in the history. With more than 25000 people lives would have been on risk.
What were the elected Congress Representatives doing at the time their people needed them the most
Now, let us shift our focus to what the Congress Representatives of the people were doing at that point of time.
The below image of Congress MLAs enjoying in a Bengaluru resort when their own people needed their help in the times of grave crisis will be engraved in the hearts and minds of Gujaratis for a long time.
On one hand, BJP MLAs from the Constituencies that were not affected by the floods also got involved, 44 Congress MLAs including those from Dhanera, Vadgam and other flood affected areas were enjoying in 500 Acre Multi-Golf Course Eagleton Resort.
History will never forget that when people were rendered homeless and were facing the biggest natural calamity of recent times in Gujarat, Congress MLAs were enjoying at a place where one day cost of living of an individual is around Rs 15,000. The resort also has helipad, suit rooms, lounge and bar, auditorium, multi-level swimming pool, tennis court, Spa, Multi-cuisine restaurants and other facilities.
…..and why did they do it? Just to ensure that they follow the orders of the party high command to save the closest aide of the Party President.
On One Hand, we have the likes of Mr Shankar Chaudhary who not only put his political career, but also his life in danger to save the flood affected people, on the other hand, we have Congress MLAs who left their people at a time when they were needed the most.
We leave it to the utter wisdom of the people of Gujarat and elsewhere to decide on the fate of the elected representatives of both the BJP and the Congress.
Author:
Abhishek Baranwal
A Business Management professional with expertise in Digital Marketing, with keen interest in Indian Politics and Corporate Strategy. Researcher, Writer and Nationalist. Can be followed on twitter at @abaranwal1802
