The other day, the municipal commissioner of Mumbai appeared on television and said that it was a huge deluge and they have learnt their lesson. Will the Municipal Commissioner tell the people what lesson has he learnt? It is quite possible that Mumbai would face similar (or worse) situation in the coming years. Can the BMC assure that the situation will not be repeated or whether it will be eased in few hours of deluge.
The state government has a Disaster Management Plan. Can the government tell us their definition of 'disaster'. The disaster could be limited to 1 sq.km (like a terrorist attack) or many sq.kms in case of floods or earthquake or tsunami. The government should prepare themsleves for 200% of worst disaster they have seen in the country. The citizens should be made aware of the actions to be taken in times of disaster.
The infrastructure of Mumbai has collapsed. The government is responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure. But in the end, it is the citizen who has to bear the brunt of government's failure.
kudos to brave Mumbaikars, Having based in NZ for 4-5 years from Bombay, I have seen how governments abroad work in all situations and how each n every human life is valued. From the smallest road accidents to the biggest crisis, these governments work effectively and citizens turn to them with confidence. Having lived in Mumbai over 30 years of my life and witnessed the dealiest Bomb Blasts in Mumbai, i know that Mumbai has emerged out a winner in every crisis. This rainfall can not dampen our spirits. The PM relief fund has just arrived in Mumbai but what remains to be seen is where will 500 crore endup? Maybe in politicians and corrupt government officials pockets? The corrpution is bigger problem of India than poverty. At this point,we need orgnisations and selfless people like Khairnar to come forward,more than corrupt governments. Such people with strong values will ensure that the money reaches where its needed. Ordinary Mumbaikars can run Mumbai better than the government, give them power and see Mumbai growing bigger, healthier and cleaner. So, Mr CM, learn the crisis management from us Mumbaikars and forget about Shanghai!Be proud to be a Mumbaikar!
I am a born Mumbaikar presently living in Bangkok.Thanks to rediffmail i was daily posted through this column about how different mambaikars faced the the calamity last week.It shows only one thing,Mumbai might be dying but the spirit of Mumbaikars lives on-in spite of all the hardships the nature and politicians have bestowed upon them. My advise to some friends from abroad,specially from Japan,who contributed in this column-please don't condemn your birth city,who have given you opportunity tobe where you are today.You can not compare Mumbai with Tokyo or Singapore-given the multiplicity of religeons,ethnicities and number of people Mumbai holds and helps them achieve their dreams in whatever small ways.Mumbai is like a mother to its people and you can never condemn your mother for giving birth to you and rearing you up inspite of difficulties to bring you to this status in life. So,hats off to Mumbaikar spirit. Arun Telang-Bangkok
Dear Mumbaikar, I do not have a relatives or friends in Mumbai but sill wanted to write to appreciate the helping nature of Mumbaikars. Now I really feel that I have relatives and friends in Mumbai. Keep up the good work guys. I have read the reviews of some of the people blaming the governament and the police. I just wanted to write my opinion about that. Every time people blame the governament only when they need help. I have seen one common thing in Indias ie, "We adjust with what ever we have". Thats not a good custom. If you are paying the tax, you have every right to question the governament when they dont do they job. "Governament is nothing but the organised recruited by the people, getting paid by the people and working for the people". Wishing all Mumbaikars a quick recovery.
It is shocking and terrifying to learn about the devastating floods that caused Mumbai and the Mumbaikars such losses.I have been reading news on rediff which is providing the readers a first hand information about the natural calamity and the horrid experiences of the survivors right from the horse's mouth.I could almost visualise the situation there. While the world was recovering from the wide spread destruction that the tsunamis caused on the 26th of December last year, Mumbai came under the spell of nature's fury. With the technologies making such loud promises to the world of making it a more secured place to live in, I guess nature has it's own ways to show its undeafeatable powers.Nature has the ultimate power to build the world and turn it upside down in a jiffy.Nature reminds us everytime that the power of making the world a beautiful place to live in rests with her.Regardless, it is amazing to learn about the spirit of the Mumbaiakars, the way they are braving the waves and lending hands to the strangers selflessly, taking prompt actions to try and save lives of the thousands trapped in the swells.It is exemplary.Kudos to all of those unsung heroes!The world prays 4 them
i think the so called mumbaikar spirit is a bit overblown.....
In times of crisis we have not heard of any place that behaves in anyway differently from what Mumbai does..thats the human spirit..nothing to do with Mumbai..a city that gets flooded in a days rain !! when will mumbaikars stop celebrating the struggle of a tough life in the city ??
This tragedy has brought one thing to forefrunt & that is Mumbai's spirit & heart. Though lakhs of people men, women & children were stuck on roads there were equal number of people coming to help each other in whatever form they could. Food, water, shelter etc. Also one remarkable thing was that there was hardly any incidence of fighting or eve teasing or robbing which is normally seen in any other cities like Delhi. This is Mumbai's spirit & we all Mumbaities are sure that we will bounce back to normality within next few days.
