Had not been able to update you all for last four days or so, but had been mostly on road.
We have been able to continue our operations in Muzaffarpur and Madhubani districts.Samastipur is a bit of problem as of now.
The CM had announced 1 quintal of grain to be distributed to all the victims. Next thing
we know that there are thousands of ppl on the road, demanding their share of
free sops.
It’s been horrible since then. How can any machinery deliver close to 50-60000 quintals
in every block of the affected area in a single day? So, we are having sporadic violent distributations,
some vehicles are being forcibly relieved of food grains and there is huge problem for of normal movement of vehicles.The government is reluctant to use force. Every where, some one or the other is blocking the highway…I
hope this trend peters out, as it is putting more strain on an already overburdened distribution mechanism.
It took me 11hrs to reach madhubani 3 days back.
7 traffic jams..ranging from 30 minutes to 150 minutes. And u cant go back..cause u r
truly stuck in 2-3 Km long motorcade.
Yesterday, while on way to Gaighat, I picked up Mr Sudhanshu(C.O, Gaighat) from zero mile
near Muz’pur as his vehicle had broken down.
It took us almost three hours(34 KM) to reach Gaighat..huge traffic jam was at some place
15 Km before Gaighat. Cause ? The villagers wanted their one quintal of grain,& because the stock had not come to their block, they were making themself “visible” to the forces that are.
Buses, trucks,private vehicles …all crammed on the highway. People were suggesting that the
flood victims should catch hold of the DM, BDO, CO and force them to get the
grains…why should they block the highway..it was affecting common people ?
So true na ? I seen ladies who were really uncomfortable, no place to go for natures call,
stuk for more than 3 hours..children crying, infants dint have water or milk,
old ppl were tired… everyone suffered suffered suffered.
And the CO was with us, I could see the pain and the resignation on his face. Has someone
recognized him, it would have been really sad. as the mob would have turned to
turn on him to “teach’ him a lesion.
No, he just behaved as most of his professional colleagues do. Lack of planning?
Coordination problem? What and Why?
I was in his office for close to 2 hrs. Heard all stuff ppl talk to him. Felt bad...because
of lack of compassion some local chiefs displayed.
One mukhiya thundered..”Road block karma mera fundamental right hai..a hum karbe karenge,
jabtak huko hamara anaaj nahi nilta hai.’’” Koiyo bheekh nahi maanh rahe hain..
jo hak hai wahi maang rahe hain…nahi milega ta cheen lenge” Very thin
line between "haq" and "bheekh". Nothing called 'relief' works for this chap.
When I asked whether he thought how the people travelling through this area are suffering,
spl. women n children …pat came the reply ..”kono tourist spot hai, kee ghumane aate
hain” “Ghare rahiyae”
Moron.
We have distributed 2 lak 60 thousand chlorine tablets in Gaighat and Katra Block, 1000 anti biotic
tablets, Paracetimol and other otc drugs like nimusulide, zintac etc.
60000 chlorine tabs have been given to Dr.Ravi(Bhagalpur relief)
I have procured 1000 sachets of ORS (21 gms) at Rs.5.40 a pc (distributors price) locally.
I am now going inside the villages. half mile walk in waist- neck deep water. Last time they
took me on a water buffalo. Felt real bad for the animal. So will be walking/
swimming thre from now on. There are three villages in that cluster.Hav given them
some medicines, torch, mosquito coil and chlorine tabs. Maybe will take
some pix nxt time. Dint carry any electronic equipment in these unpredictable
waters.
Would be mom :),
she is carrying a baby..
They have had two snake bite deaths last week, one being a young girl, recently married.She
got bitten around 2 in night and dint wake her in laws because of ‘lihaj’
Morning they brought her to sadar hospital,gaighat n was referred to DMCH.. she
died .Most deaths from snakebite is because there is no transportation (boat) from back country
villages.
Prevention is
better than cure
Samastipur is totally cut off. Hajipur –Samastipur highway is under water. Muzaffarpur Samastipur highway is still breached.
I hope there is better coordination between different sections of govt. machinery. This is a logistical
nightmare..distribution of relief material, and if not executed in an efficient mechanized
manner... whatever chances the ‘real’ flood victims had of getting help will diminish. Its more of ‘jiski laathi uski
bhains’ now. And poor underfed victims don’t carry lathis. They can hardly walk..let
alone demonstrate and block traffic.I hope this equation changes fast..am sure it will.
This is our
Bihar, and we can’t give up. We have to keep chugging n pushing forward. We
have to keep going. We are making a bit of difference. Focus and intensity is the key.
Touchwood.
Billy (&) the kid ! Lost everything..no worries..life goes on !These kids rock !!
''Then let not what I cannot have, my cheer of mind destroy,
while I sing..I am the King, though a poor, little blind boy "
Dear Friends
Thanks to you all for all efforts you made and your sensiblities shown
towards flood victims of Bihar . In Gaighat Block I received relief
materials from your contributions so far are as follws :-
Chlorine Tablets :- 86000
Polythene Sheets :- 4 Bundle
Match Box - One Cartoon
Edible Salt - One Quintal
candle - One bag
All these materials are being distributed to Flood Victims of the
Block Through panchayat Level Officials Like Panchayat Sewaks , Halka
Karmacharis , ANM and all these people are doing there best So that
all these relief materials to go to right hands.
My Sincere Thanks to Mr. Chandan who So far has done a great job
for flood victims of Bihar. His endeavour and efforts are highly
appreciable. Persons Like Mr. Chandan are ray of hopes for the poor
people of Bihar.
Apart from these we have started getting sufficient relief
materials from our Government side also.We are disributing around
45000 Quintal of Grains , One Quintal for each faimily of the
Blocks.We have distributed around 3000 pieces of Polythenes to the
Displaced People.Although continuous rains are creating so many
hurdles , But our official teams , Panchayat Representatives, even
Police personnels are doing great Job with high Spirit.
Once again thanks to you all and hope that sentiments shown by you for
Bihar will not slow down.
Sudhanshu
