Whenever there is an outbreak of an epidemic, the health officials find that the most difficult aspect is not in tackling the epidemic but the rumour mills that run amok.
A case in the point is the recent outbreak in Kerala where thousands of birds died due to Avian Flu or bird flu.
While the Tamil Nadu Government swiftly closed the border to commercial transport of birds, it could not prevent people from spreading panic.
When around 10 birds died at a poultry farm in Coimbatore, rumours spread that bird flu was behind it and the rumours soon escalated the casualty to hundreds.
Even the death of a goat was linked to this incident, even though bird flu cannot affect goats.
Upon investigation, Animal Husbandry and Health Departments found that there was no bird flu.
The Government officials urged the media also to exercise caution and refrain from spreading panic, or at the least, cross-check with the officials concerned.
People, who come to the weekly grievances redressal meeting conducted by Tirupur district administration at Collectorate to get solutions for their problems, are finally provided with a shelter from scorching sun.
They were usually made to wait in queue in open space for long time to get their complaints registered before they could meet the officials, who sit inside hall. The sudden decision to provide a shade came only because recently a 70-year-old person, who came to apply for old age pension, collapsed due to sun stroke and recovered only after a long time.
The incident created a wave of anger towards the officials which prompted them to act quickly.
The Coimbatore Corporation Council meeting on December 19 was expected to be a smooth affair as the members of the principal Opposition party, DMK, were absent on account of the inner party election. It was one, indeed. But that did not mean Mayor P. Rajkumar did not have opposition.
Taking on the role of the Opposition was his party colleague and chairman, Works Committee, ‘Amman’ Arjunan, who kept raising issues that reflected poor administration. An irritated Mayor did not lose his cool but merely asked the councillor if he had turned into the leader of the Opposition in the Council to make for the DMK members’ absence. His comment created some lighter moments in the Council and brought to an effective end to Mr. Arjunan’s interventions.
(reporting by R. Sairam, R. Vimal Kumar and
Karthik Madhavan)