The floods in Uttarakhand in India have been devastating. The Monsoons arrived early and with a vengence. The floods came the ferocity and destruction rarely seen before.
About the same time came the largest flood in the history of Calgary, Canada.
In both Canada and India people, volunteers and NGOs reacted heroically and selflessly helping people in the stricken areas. Help poured in from across in each country . In both instances the Armed Forces have played and continue to play an important role in assisting the population in the flooded areas.
Of course Canada is a richer country with better resources including infrastructure. The terrain around Calgary and in Uttarakhand is vastly different, that in the latter being more difficult. All of this ,to some extent, may explain the effectiveness of the response in either place.
Where the two countries starkly differ is in the response of the respective political class. The amount of monetary and material assistance offered may differ. That is understandable. The Mayor of Calgary and the Premier of Alberta have been at the forefront of the governmental response. The federal government is also doing its part. All that can be done is being done in a coordinated fashion.
In the case of India's political class the story is rather depressing. Some Indian politicians ,as if oblivious to the sufferings of the flood victims, were busy mudslinging and blaming each other for being slow in responding to the disaster. There was an unrestrained torrent of recriminations. Some were busy 'rebuilding' temples. Not rebuilding peoples' lives. One Chief Minister promised rebuilding a very revered temple. Another not to be left behind pledged to do the same. Neither of them pledged any resources to rehabilitate the poor and the impoverished who lost their loved ones and most of their meager material possessions.
Do not misunderstand me. I grew up in India. Left for UK at the age of 17 in 1964 and then to Canada in 1968. I grew up in my village in Punjab. I understand and respect my heritage of deep Indian religious piety and devotion. I also understand that according to our spirituality God resides in each and every one of us. The human body is considered a temple , an abode for the Supreme. So why not focus on rebuilding human lives? According to the ancient spiritual masters of India 'the best way to worship God is to love His people'. In the great Indian tradition God is kind and beneficent. Not vengeful or retributive.
So I urge the Indian politicians to serve the people. Stop politicising the human tragedy. Stop bickering. Rebuild human lives first. Refurbish the Human Temples. The Human Temples will definitely rebuild the other Temples. Please reexamine your priorities. Otherwise neither the Gods nor the Indians will forgive you.