Nature’s fury

The havoc caused by nature in Uttarakhand has once again put a question mark on the preparedness of the National Disaster Management Authority, an organisation headed by the Prime Minister. Whenever a calamity strikes, it is the army that comes to the rescue.

Satender Ghildiyal,

Dehradun

It is well known that we cannot stop the nature’s fury and that we have to face it. Illegal mining and merciless cutting down of forests are the main factors leading to environmental imbalance. Our leaders are ever prepared to spend huge amounts on sops, especially during elections. Instead, governments should divert funds for productive uses such as interlinking rivers so that the intensity of natural calamities like floods can be minimised.

K. Manasa Sanvi,

Srikalahasti

Last month, we undertook a pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Badrinath. The hospitality of the people of Uttarakhand and their respect for the holy places cannot be expressed in words. It is unfortunate that they are bearing the brunt of devastating floods. The whole nation should express its solidarity with them in their moment of distress.

As a result of the unprecedented floods, the Char Dham pilgrimage has been cancelled. This means a reduction in the earnings to those depending on it for livelihood. It is time big infrastructure companies did their bit by adopting the regions devastated by the floods. Rebuilding people’s lives will be a very big service to the nation.

G. Sridharan,

New Delhi