The day had begun at a half past 2, when Valsala from Neelamperoor, had called up to say that she and her daughter had reached Thrissur. There were another 20' to go as I quickly washed, changed and took the Chevy out.....and it was pouring. Reached the railway station 10 minutes later and they could walk into the car without having to wait. They're scheduled to go to the Guruvayur temple in the morning, which was the sole reason for their quick visit.
* * *
Inept Handling.
It was a sad day, all through, at the shrine of Sabarimala. Pilgrims had started conglomerating to have a 'darshan' of the Lord. Amidst them was Madhavi, a 45 year old lady from Andhra Pradesh and CS Liby, from Cherthalla who'd made an attempt to visit the shrine. The latter returned from the Pathanamthitta bus stand despite police assurance about her safety. Madhavi was able to clear Nilackal, Pamba and she was on the final stretch uphill, when she gave up because the constant abuses and shouts of the agitators played on her little children. There were quite a few women from the media who'd also come under the agitators' wrath. Vehicles were damaged in the bargain.
It was an inept handling of the situation by the government. To implement the court order, it should have deployed its forces effectively and in the right strength, all along the route, from Nilackal to the summit. The serious lapse brought about the disorder and the chaos that ensued throughout the day.
No arguments like 'didn't anticipate that the agitators could muster such huge strength', 'we were thoroughly understaffed' etc are acceptable.
Why the government was so thoroughly unprepared, beats me? Or is there a script beyond, that's waiting to happen?
* * *
Valsala's call around a few minutes after 2200 hrs, on reaching her house, put me at ease. Their bus was caught in a traffic snarl off Muvattupuzha, because of road repair work.
Tailpiece.
Our earlier plan to go to Kozhikode tomorrow and spend the evening at Yedu's place has taken a hit because tomorrow's gonna be a hartal. Our move has been delayed by 24 hrs.
* * *
Inept Handling.
It was a sad day, all through, at the shrine of Sabarimala. Pilgrims had started conglomerating to have a 'darshan' of the Lord. Amidst them was Madhavi, a 45 year old lady from Andhra Pradesh and CS Liby, from Cherthalla who'd made an attempt to visit the shrine. The latter returned from the Pathanamthitta bus stand despite police assurance about her safety. Madhavi was able to clear Nilackal, Pamba and she was on the final stretch uphill, when she gave up because the constant abuses and shouts of the agitators played on her little children. There were quite a few women from the media who'd also come under the agitators' wrath. Vehicles were damaged in the bargain.
It was an inept handling of the situation by the government. To implement the court order, it should have deployed its forces effectively and in the right strength, all along the route, from Nilackal to the summit. The serious lapse brought about the disorder and the chaos that ensued throughout the day.
No arguments like 'didn't anticipate that the agitators could muster such huge strength', 'we were thoroughly understaffed' etc are acceptable.
Why the government was so thoroughly unprepared, beats me? Or is there a script beyond, that's waiting to happen?
* * *
Valsala's call around a few minutes after 2200 hrs, on reaching her house, put me at ease. Their bus was caught in a traffic snarl off Muvattupuzha, because of road repair work.
Tailpiece.
Our earlier plan to go to Kozhikode tomorrow and spend the evening at Yedu's place has taken a hit because tomorrow's gonna be a hartal. Our move has been delayed by 24 hrs.
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