Although the recent floods and landslides in Uttarakhand have put the state in the headlines, the local people have suffered unimaginable loss of life and livelihood. Uttarakhand Mandal of America (UMA) is working towards rehabilitating at least 2000 affected families. Your donations are most welcome. Please visit UMA website to learn more.
Until a couple of weeks ago, if I told someone that I was from Uttarakhand, I usually drew a blank from them. Not many people were aware of this relatively new hill state which was carved out from Uttar Pradesh. I had to name a few popular destinations to exact some recognition.
If the names worked, I thanked the British for developing those hill stations, such as Nainital, Almora, Mussoorie. I also felt deeply indebted to Adi Shankaracharya and other religious scholars for fooling people into believing that places like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkunt Sahib, etc. were God’s abodes and visiting them washed away their sins and brought happiness and prosperity into their lives.
Still most of the time, my inquisitive friends couldn't place Uttarakhand on the map of India. But the scenario has completely changed after the disaster struck the state on June 16th. I doubt if there is any Indian who has not watched the mayhem on the TV or computer screen. For providing such recognition to my native state, I will be eternally grateful to the Uttarakhand government, the central government, the politicians (including Fekuji and Pappuji), the bureaucrats, the builders/developers, and the miners besides the tourists/pilgrims and the locals. It has certainly been a joint effort. And really, what have the Army and Air Force been doing in Uttarakhand? Aren't they supposed to cut the heads and kick the asses of Pakistanis and Chinese at the border?
Though I am also a little disappointed with international media as they had not covered this disaster in its full glory, I am hopeful that the state of Uttarakhand will step up its deforestation activities for bigger and better land slides in future, and build more temples, hotels, and lodges on the river beds. We certainly need more temples and fewer trees to cleanse our souls. Let’s continue clearing the forests for this purpose.
Most importantly, the government needs to shut up the environmentalists and scientists – the oracles of doom – once and for all. Otherwise they will impose strict laws on residents, tourists and pilgrims. Watch this documentary uploaded in four parts on YouTube to learn how certain environmentalists have been trying to keep the Himalayan region backward and uneventful.
Himalayan Environment Trust: Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
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| Map via uttarakhand.org |
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| Uttarakhand affected areas via ndtv.com |
If the names worked, I thanked the British for developing those hill stations, such as Nainital, Almora, Mussoorie. I also felt deeply indebted to Adi Shankaracharya and other religious scholars for fooling people into believing that places like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkunt Sahib, etc. were God’s abodes and visiting them washed away their sins and brought happiness and prosperity into their lives.
Still most of the time, my inquisitive friends couldn't place Uttarakhand on the map of India. But the scenario has completely changed after the disaster struck the state on June 16th. I doubt if there is any Indian who has not watched the mayhem on the TV or computer screen. For providing such recognition to my native state, I will be eternally grateful to the Uttarakhand government, the central government, the politicians (including Fekuji and Pappuji), the bureaucrats, the builders/developers, and the miners besides the tourists/pilgrims and the locals. It has certainly been a joint effort. And really, what have the Army and Air Force been doing in Uttarakhand? Aren't they supposed to cut the heads and kick the asses of Pakistanis and Chinese at the border?
Though I am also a little disappointed with international media as they had not covered this disaster in its full glory, I am hopeful that the state of Uttarakhand will step up its deforestation activities for bigger and better land slides in future, and build more temples, hotels, and lodges on the river beds. We certainly need more temples and fewer trees to cleanse our souls. Let’s continue clearing the forests for this purpose.
Most importantly, the government needs to shut up the environmentalists and scientists – the oracles of doom – once and for all. Otherwise they will impose strict laws on residents, tourists and pilgrims. Watch this documentary uploaded in four parts on YouTube to learn how certain environmentalists have been trying to keep the Himalayan region backward and uneventful.
Himalayan Environment Trust: Part 1
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One will never know the number of dead.But,we must feel for those who have been uprooted,lost their livelyhood,lost all hopes in life,lost their kin.
ReplyDeleteThe real questions will always reamin unanswered.
Who allowed construction?Who agreed to power plants?Who changed the rules?Whi goofed up the warning of Met deptt?
Never,never will these questions get answered.
It is not only time for the gove to wake up.
It is time for INDIA TO WAKE UP or face one disaster after another without holding anyone accountable.
Rightly said! It is time for everyone to wake up!
Deleteyes the deforestation program should not be hampered due to the minor calamities .. with just about 1000s dead .. and lakhs displaced ... the mission Devastation should continue !!
ReplyDelete:(
Why not ? After all, mission Devastation is profitable for many people :(
DeleteSick and revolting how nature's wrath has been invited by greedy sharks. It is the same story of encroachment and land grabbing that our cities ail with. I wonder if there will be any end ever?
ReplyDeleteAnd people proudly brag how they have been flaunting the rules and regulations!
DeleteI and some friends donated a small amount to Uttarakhand chief minister's fund. In these situations, we are not even sure if the help is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteWe can only hole that help reaches deserving people!
DeleteAreee we are already in crores. What difference does a loss of a few thousands make? Especially when none of them belong to the families of the money making leeches?
ReplyDeleteIt does make difference! The politicians and other entrepreneurs must be busy making fortunes from this disaster!
DeleteUttarakhand now beckons all who are sick and tired of their lives!
ReplyDeleteLooking for holidays at Uttarakhand, Its great plan. Its a beautiful place. You have shared really impact able information. Thanks for that. Keep sharing !
ReplyDeleteBudget Resort in Bhimtal