As the number of Amarnath yatra pilgrims rises by the year, the casualty figures appear set to create a distressing record. Over the first four weeks of the 39-day yatra period, 97 pilgrims have died. There are 10 days left in the window for the year, and it is feared that the final toll may outstrip that of 2011 when 107 people died — which marked a spike over the 68 deaths in 2010 and 45 in 2009. The trip to the venerated Himalayan shrine involves an arduous trek in extreme cold conditions along a narrow path to reach an altitude of about 12,755 feet. Most of the deaths have been attributed to cardiac arrest and pulmonary problems. Dearth of oxygen in the rarefied high-altitude atmosphere is the biggest cause. The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, which is in charge of the arrangements, has made it mandatory for each pilgrim to carry a medical certificate. However, it turns out that in their eagerness to qualify, some pilgrims obtain fake fitness certificates. The devout set out on an empty stomach after an ice-cold bath. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who linked the high number of deaths to issues of age, poor fitness levels and lack of acclimatisation, may have hit the nail in the head. There is a case to put in place a fool-proof system involving multi-stage health screening — ensuring that those who have not registered through the proper process are not allowed to risk their lives. The CRPF and the BSF have created a network of medical camps that are functional round-the-clock along the two yatra routes, and there are medical aid posts set up by the State government, but their efficacy in handling life-threatening situations remain to be assessed. In the event of an emergency, there should be arrangements for swift evacuation to base camps, and thereafter to specified hospitals in Srinagar.
The Supreme Court’s decision to appoint a high-power committee to look into the deaths reflects concerns that have been widely felt. Taking suo motu note of reports, it has sought an explanation from the Central and Jammu and Kashmir governments on the medical and other facilities made available en route. It has also directed that the committee examine issues including the widening of the pilgrim passage route and provision of amenities. The court has asked the committee to visit the shrine. The state cannot be impervious to the pilgrims’ distress. The findings of the committee should form the basis for a protocol that would minimise deaths from accidents as well as from health emergencies along the yatra route at least from next year on.
we are sorry for the pilgrims who have died.We also envy those pilgrims who have progressed and achieved the goal of their lives.The persons who were brave enough to undertake the trip on the face of death could be really felt the art of dying on that day.100 and odd dead would have
left foot prints on the mountains which would remind us that we can make our lives sublime by following their foot paths.The pilgrims are dead.Long live those pilgrims.
Well...Let face the truth: why everything is Govt responsibility. What Amarnath board is doing????? With the increasing no. of people the revenue of this board is also increasing but they are not even providing basic facalities to Pilgrims. Reason: they want to fill thier pockets, right from director of the board to the Monk(pandit).
Let me tell one more thing: HemKund Sahib is also approximately on the same hieght. This is Sikh religious place. Even half of the way of Amarnath Yatra and HemKund Sahib is common but still there are far less % of casualities there. The reason is they have provided the facalities to Pilgrims. Let me remind you this is not done by govt. but by the board of Hemkund sahib. And therefore I expect Amarnath board to do some benevolent stuff rather than just making ICE-Ling by themselves to attract more pilgrims.
The government has to take some concrete measures that ensure the safety of the pilgrims. But, the pilgrims should also understand that they should not use unfair means to get certificate of fitness and risk their life. They are creating a sense of fear in the mind of other devotees who wish to take the pilgrimage. Also the use of unfair means as a first step to seek blessings of GOD is ironical in itself.
It is very pathetic to hear that pilgrims have been collapsed on visiting a holy shrine.The government should take into serious concern and the necessary things must be done in an impeccable manner
"Pilgrims' distress" (July 24) is an apt and timely editorial, aimed solely at saving the precious lives of several unwary pilgrims who undertake 'holy yatra' to Amarnath, to fulfil their life-long desire of of having darshan of the preseding deity at that holy abode, located at an altitude of more than 3 kilometers - trekking difficult narrow pathways and unmindful of their own physical dificiencies. As rightly pointed out, many among them would have managed to get false medical certificates too, under the firm belief that the Lord would take care of them. That, undoubtedly, is a wrong decision. Stage by stage pucca medical check-up camps have to be established enroute to ensure that they filter and send back safely those with major health problems, especially heart-related. Viewed in this context, the committee to formed as per the directions of the apex court, has an onerous job to carry out. That should be done in a straightforward manner to ensure safe pilgrimage to all the ardent devotees.
Govt may not be in the position to ensure the comfort of each and
every persons involved in the pilgrimages. It is the sole
responsibility of the pilgrims to manage the tussles of the
pilgrimage path. Since it is a religious gathering govt cannot spend
too much for the easing of the requirements. Because number of
religions and followers and such pilgrimages in India is large and
counting.
what is anticipated from the govt is monitoring such situations and
building infrastructure and developing policies.
The probable remedy for preventing such disasters is by limiting the
number of pilgrims as such pilgrimages are very periodic.
For example by limiting the number of pilgrims to Sabarimala
annually,not only such incidents can be carefully prevented and
managed, the holy journey will make less impacts on the ecology as
public defecation has hurt the deep forest environment there.A
registry must be maintained and facilitate the aspiration of next
batch of visitors by proper management
It is truly unfortunate that the courts are forced to intervene even with respect to issues that fall squarely within the ambit of administrative agencies. The state and central governments, instead of putting in place measures that can minimize the number of casualties, have to wait for directions from the courts to spring into action. The sad part is that even after the court's intervention it is not guaranteed that the agencies will accord priority to this issue and will take steps to reduce pilgrims' distress. Ensuring strict compliance to basic guidelines, for example ensuring that fitness certificates are issued by designated doctors, can go a long way in reducing the number of deaths.
The level of arrangements can be compared to the same of previous years when we know the increase in number of pilgrims. We already are known about the deaths but this is where it comes for the government to take sincere actions. One is taken but as usual this comittee too will take time required more than enough.Actions must be time- bound.
It is rightly pointed out that old age, poor physical fitness, and lack of acclimatization are the primary causes for large number of people dying on their pilgrimage to Amaranth every year. Many devout Hindus wish to visit the holy shrines on the Himalayan terrain at least once in their lifetime. It is understood that a significant chunk of pilgrims who succumb to the adverse climate on their passage is the elderly. While we respect their religious sentiments, it is our responsibility to see that they are safe. It must be mandatory to subject the pilgrims to a multi-stage health screening before to embark on their yatra, and creation of means to shift the sick to the base camp in an emergency is quite welcome. An acclimatization training may be made mandatory to all prospective pilgrims. Pilgrims who do not measure up to these screening tests may be counseled to drop from their journey. The elderly, who cannot make it to Amaranth, may visit other renowned temples near Himalayas.
It is sad to see so many people dying at the Amarnath Yatra. However, it is not the Govt's responsibility to spend taxpayers money on people who wish to go on a trek in the mountains. if anyone wants to go for this Yatra then it is their own responsibility to be concerned about their own health. if they do not find themselves fit then they themselves should refrain from going to this Yatra.
it is unfortunate to see that with so many important issue pending with the Govt, they have to invest their time and energy in such matters.
its not always People going to the shrine are educated and should owe
the responsibility of their own life. merely fooling the government over
fake certificated is doing them no good. These are all the matter of
awareness which are not hidden from anyone.
It is true that amarnath ji shrine board is lagging in some facitilties but pilgrims should also think what they are going do.Every one know very well about the prevailing weather condition in this region as well as the fitness level of body required to bear this harsh weather condition. Keeping in mind these things people suffering from diseases should himself avoid yatra. Because life is precious gift of god.
In hindu religion people take amarnath yatra as a holy yatra and therefore number of pilgrims are increasing.It is government's responsibility to ensure safe and sound yatra for pilgrims.The supreme court of india has also appointed a high-power committee which is right step in the right direction.
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