Tormented by extreme hardship and sometimes labeled as one of the most backward state of India Bihar seems to never run out of problems and has recently been torn apart by the gigantic flood in river Kosi, destroying property worth millions and life which is priceless. Till date more than 70 causalities have been reported and there is absolutely no count for the missing or wounded. The common man is the one who is mostly affected by this unprecedented act of nature. The nation has declared it a national calamity. Funds and aids have started pouring from all the corners of world. But little has been done as yet to wipe away the tears and sufferings of the people.
A villager who was just saved by a hook from the debauched currents of Kosi replied, ”Kosi is angry and is punishing us for our sins”, but is it literally the genuine story. The truth unraveled reveals that it was the dam on SaptakosiRiver which sculpted to the tremendous amount of water pressure in Nepal wiping villages after villages in the neighboring country of India. Though India is not responsible for this surprised outbreak of flood, but what seems to be the basic problem, resides in the contemporary realm of the rescue methodologies that have been executed after the disaster.
Bihar is often termed as failed state but the country has further added jewel to the crown by failing the state with equally detrimental rescue services. When the entire world is watching Indian government has placed its trust on god and has left every thing on the whims of time and destiny. Whatever aid that can be perceived is coming from private donation boxes and Non Government Organizations.
Para military forces have been called for the rescue work and Border Security forces seem to do every thing possible in hand, this is what the government is preaching, but one fails to comprehend that why are news flashes such as “Biharies destitute loot the ration trucks”, perpetually hitting the front pages. The answer is simple people are devastated and outraged by hunger and illness and will do anything to fill their belly instead of starving to death.
Villages like “Muraripur” completely washed away by the current, tell yet another sorry tale of the governmental apathy and the holistic approach it has formed after the calamity. The condition of the camps which is supposed to house 10 families is pathetic. Medical authorities are no where to be found and villagers are seen helping themselves with whatever is left at the banks of river Kosi. Water has invariably shattered their lives and has not only seeped into their houses but also into their lives. The situation is critical and there are chances of mass out break of chronic diseases such as diarrhea, cholera and jaundice. People are ill equipped and shocked by the apathy of their own democratically elected leaders.
On the international front the global community is very supportive, there was news that about one million euros will be rounded up for the relief work in Bihar by the European Union. Lots of other foreign charitable trusts and organization have stepped forward to contribute in the rescue work, supplying much needed medicines, clothing and food to the destitute people of Bihar.
On one hand social activist like Medha Patkar were perceived sharing grief of the people in “Arail”, a devastated village of Bihar, while on the other hand former chief minister Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav has already declared, flood in Kosi, as the next political issue and agenda in Bihar. Eventually it is the Biharies who are going to suffer in the end caught between the alien and non appreciative government and equally antagonist flood water, they will have to build their own lives without any expectations from anyone. One thing which is for sure is the fact that some parts of Bihar, after this flood, has traveled even further deep into the time and there are few chances that it will ever bounce back again unless the people of other states welcome their own countrymen with open hands and solicit sing notes.
