Pink Twins

Pink Twins
Gangtok

Yellow Villa

Yellow Villa
Gangtok

Sparkling Rai Saag

Sparkling Rai Saag
Gangtok

Lovely Poppy Flowers

Lovely Poppy Flowers
Gangtok

A Different type of Seasonal Flower

A Different type of Seasonal Flower
Gangtok

Blue Flavour

Blue Flavour
Gangtok

Pink & White Combination

Pink & White Combination

Dark Pink Flavour

Dark Pink Flavour
Gangtok 6th March 16

Purple Charm

Purple Charm
CS Quarter Gangtok

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip
Conservatory Near Selep Tank

Charm of Red Tulips

Charm of Red Tulips
Conservatory near Selep Tank

Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha
1-D Terminal New Delhi

Attraction of Red Panda

Attraction of Red Panda
Saramsa Garden

Lord Ganesh made of oranges

Lord Ganesh made of oranges
Saramsa Garden

Charm of Seasonal Flower

Charm of Seasonal Flower
Gaurds Ground Gangtok

Unmatched beauty

Unmatched beauty
Sikkim Organic Festival

Green is always soothing

Green is always soothing
Sikkim Organic Festival 2016

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Somewhere in Gangtok

White Orchid

White Orchid
Manan Kendra

Purple Orchid

Purple Orchid
Manan Kendra, 31-10-2015

Gift of Nature

Gift of Nature
Near Cherry Building

Majestic View of Sea

Majestic View of Sea
Marina, Chennai, 19-10-15

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting
Hotel Nork Hill

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle
Nork Hill, 24-11-2015

Mirror Trick

Mirror Trick
Hotel Nork Hill, Gtok, 24-11-2015

Yes we have the power

Yes we have the power
Qtr at Devt Area, 25-11-2015

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA
Gangtok dt 20-11-2015

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK
NEW DELHI 22-10-15

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE
MRS MALI SMU 13-10-2015

SAROD RECITAL

SAROD RECITAL
SMU CONVOCATION 13-10-15

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE
ITM GANGTOK 14-10-15

RED BEAUTY

RED BEAUTY
GANGTOK

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
MAYFAIR GANGTOK

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

OM NAMAH SHIVAY
MAYFAIR GANGTOK 02-11-15

Smile and Joy

Smile and Joy
24th September Delhi

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed
Gangtok

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok on 7-10-15

Morning Glow

Morning Glow
Denzong Regency- Gangtok on 7-10-15

Pink Orchid

Pink Orchid
Pakyong Area

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
Bojeytar Pakyong 26 Feb 15

Tabla or Log Piece

Tabla or Log Piece
HMI Darjeeling Nov 2014

Hand can do anything

Hand can do anything
Birla Science Museum Kolkata

Legacy and Heritage

Legacy and Heritage
Indian Museum Kolkata

Queen Nephretus of Egypt

Queen Nephretus of Egypt
India Museum Kolkata 4th Mar 15

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece
Tashi Delek June 2014

Foot Print of Bason

Foot Print of Bason
Satpura Forest

Foot Print of Tiger

Foot Print of Tiger
Satpura Forest (MP) March 14

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Lovely Twins

Lovely Twins

Pink,Pink,Pink

Pink,Pink,Pink
Orchid,not only Spl ,It lasts longer Also

Clean Water has a Different Impact

Clean Water has a Different Impact
Rangeet at Jorethang ,24-11-14

What a Ravishing Beauty ?

What a Ravishing Beauty ?
Teesta near Kalijhora, 19-12-14

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty
K.JUNGA, 6:20 AM 18 -12-14

Another Dawn View -Different Angle

Another Dawn View -Different Angle
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

View at Dawn in Biting Cold

View at Dawn in Biting Cold
K.JUNGA 18-12

Dawn Scene-2

Dawn Scene-2
V Awas 18 -12-14

Dawn Scenario

Dawn Scenario
K.JUNGA

Morning Means End of Night

Morning Means End of Night
K. JUNGA,

View at Dawn

View at Dawn
K.JUNGA 2 ,18-12-14

Early Morning Freshness

Early Morning Freshness
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

What an eye opener early in the day?

What an eye opener early in the day?
View of 17-12-2014 from Terrace of V. Awas

Another view of full snow around Mt Kanchendzonga

Another view of full snow around  Mt Kanchendzonga
17-12-2014

Magnificent view after bone chilling night

Magnificent view after bone chilling night
17-12-2014

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night
Vidhayak Awas Gangtok

Amazing charm of Green Orchid

Amazing charm of Green Orchid
HMI Darjeeling

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
HMI DARJEELING (13-11-14)

Bell Flower in full bloom

Bell Flower in full bloom

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Dec 14 Circuit House

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires
Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom
November 14 Ganesh Tok Gangtok

What a view after getting up ?

What a view after getting up ?
B-1 Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga
11-11-2014 VIP COLONY

Red Rose

Red Rose
Gangtok

Cranes having Gala Time

Cranes having Gala Time
Tigaon, Faridabad (2nd Oct 14)

Yes I am from Faridabad

Yes I am from Faridabad
Tiny, Beautiful Bird at NTPC, Ballabgarh (29.9.14)

Water Vital for Life

Water Vital for Life
Awesome view of Teesta near Kalijhora

Yes I had a Bath

Yes I had a Bath
Gladiola at 6200 ft.

Soothing Morning View

Soothing Morning View
Mt. Khangchendzonga from C.House (April, 14)

Natural Yellow Fascinates

Natural Yellow Fascinates
Gangtok (April, 2014)

Flowery Bell ?

Flowery Bell ?
Circuit House (May 14)

Riot of Colour in Monsoon

Riot of Colour in Monsoon
Circuit House, Gangtok(May 14)

Blushing orange

Blushing orange
Circuit House Gangtok (May 14)

Magnificent Taj

Magnificent Taj
Sept 2013

I can lift Taj Mahal

I can lift Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal,Sept end 2013

Natural fan to beat the heat

Natural fan to beat the heat
India Gate (24.08.14)

Engineering Marvel

Engineering Marvel
Coronation Bridge (22.08.2014)

Cascading water, soothing to eyes

Cascading water, soothing to eyes
Scene near Teesta Baazar (22.8.14)

Teesta attracts at every bend

Teesta attracts at every bend
16.7.2014

Monkey jump

Monkey jump
Teesta River, Birik(22.8.14)

Onset of Night

Onset of Night
Qutub,Sept.13

Qutub,Dusk Scene

Qutub,Dusk Scene
Sept.13

Together we take a Plunge

Together we take a Plunge
Clean Calicut Beach, Feb-2013

Setting Sun, always soothing

Setting Sun, always soothing
Dusk at a Gaya village(15.5.13)

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle
Lake surrounding Purana Quila(20.10.13)

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

NEPAL - 7.9 On Richter Scale

NEPAL - 7.9 On Richter Scale

Earthquake (EQ) is a natural phenomenon that defies prediction. Instances of last moment sensing, nevertheless, by the birds and animals have been noticed time and again. It also goes without saying that EQ is facilitated and bolstered further by the unjustified greed of human beings to build unaesthetic dwelling units in the dangerous seismic Zones IV and V. Delhi is a blatant example and one and all are oblivious to it.

Vulnerability Of The Eastern Himalayas.

The Himalayas, a relatively young and fragile mountain system have been always susceptible to the catastrophe, such as, Avalanche, Landslides, Cloud-bursts and EQs, if the available data of last two centuries is to be assessed and reviewed. Of the two gigantic parts of the Himalayas, the Eastern one is more risk-prone and thus continues to cause perpetual tension. The region, apart from being one of the Bio-diversity Hot Spots of the World, abounds in a large number of gorgeous water bodies and snow-capped mountains having an average height of more than 20,000 feet.

One can not say for certain but the slow melting of Glacier systems and unchecked, rather, commercial mountain climbing activity by non-serious adventure lovers in the last two decades, also has added fat to the fire ignited during the British Era. Should not such climbing be banned both by the Indian and Nepalese Governments during the current natural calamity? Budding and experienced climbers are supposed to concentrate on 'peak' rather than on 'speak'.

Gradual Neglect of Sustainable Livelihood
The sustainable livelihoods of the mountain folk, together with endemic flora and fauna are being also harmed consistently, threatened and pushed aside, if not being lost altogether, also by massive construction of hydel projects,all in the name of 'clean' power.

Economically weaker sections are gradually shifting to the deceptive 'green' pastures down the valleys, thus leaving behind their spouses, young nutrition-deficient children and ageing parents. When a misery like EQ, Landslide, Cloudbursts or flood occurs, they have to fend for themselves in the absence of their earning members. The reported inefficient administrative set-up and the name-sake health and education backup,possibly caused by long political instability in Nepal adds to the crisis.

Core vis-a-vis Periphery

Even if relief and rescue(R&R) is taken up on a war footing,above hinted peripheries are last to be noticed. The attention of the World is initially focused on the Core, the capital of the country. This was exactly the depressing scenario witnessed in Pokhara Dist. villages and a remote village in Gorkha Dist, four days after the biggest tragedy in 81 years. The village in reference was at the epi- centre of 7.9 Richter Scale EQ. According to one source, of the 150 single unit weak houses, 140 of them were found reduced to rubble by the rescue team. Needless to say, a sizeable number of lives and cattle were lost by then.

Given the grim state of affairs,it may be worthwhile to take note of the following viable steps:

--One has to avoid any panic reaction upon hearing about a calamity.Any report received/transmitted/broadcast/telecast/e-mailed/faxed etc. has to be checked & verified prior to locating scene of occurrence,

--Communication,by and large, in the local lingua franca may have to be established with the affected lots,Punchayat and Administration at the cutting edge without losing time and sight..Why sight,because last six to seven major EQ's since 1988 in the region have happened in the late afternoon or at dusk(Sikkim had the misfortune of an Earthquake Anniversary as well,the difference being only 3 minutes between the gloomy dates of 18th Sept.2011 and 18th Sept 2012),

--When you rush Helicopters/Aircrafts from bigger places,either they cannot land immediately for want of clear signals or due to visibility constraints. On landing too,they are kept immobile during the first night. In the process,the Golden Hour is invariably lost.

--Personnel with prior Hill/Mountain experience should form the bulk of the Rescue teams. The teams should settle down swiftly and not appear to be adding to the crisis,The 'Routing through' process may have to be settled well in advance,by ignoring and setting aside 'Ego' factor.

--Day After is the most decisive day both from the point of view of planning & saving trapped lives but also for locating the injured,re-opening the clogged footpaths& roads,setting up cold & rain resistant tents, arranging make-shift toilets with 24x7 water back-up,restrengthening the health centres,reassuring the doctors & the para-medics etc.

--Enlisting the support of Social welfare trusts and organisations for organising drinking water,Generators and bare minimum food & medicine would be in the fitness of things,Good co-ordination with the local Bureaucracy with a clear channel of communication and regular sharing and dissemination of information is the corner-stone of an effective R&R Mechanism.Uncalled for statements through media send wrong signals,apart from wasting prime time.

--Proper storage as also onward supply of needed food packets,drinking water bottles,warm cloths,essential medicines,dis-infectants etc. has to be ensured on a war footing. Additional relief material from abroad will have to be sent for quick distribution on a day today basis,especially to the remote and far-flung villages(not connected by road).The Street tensions and bouts of snatchings thus can be minimised.

--A Core Group comprising of senior civil and police personnel, experienced Institutes,independent experts,relief workers with the knowledge of affected terrain,doctors,para-medics etc may have to be constituted at the earliest.Same may meet,review,confabulate and draw up strategy on an alternate day basis.

--Rumour-mongering of any sort through any medium has to be checked,rebutted and suppressed on the Day After as also the following day. Diversion of attention on this count may prove inhuman.

--Jams at the airports,helipads,railway stations,bus-stands and markets will have to be cleared in a regular way, TIA, Kathmandu was unnecessarily burdened by a bee-line of affected people who could have also taken the land route to Uttarakhand, UP and Bihar from day three. Cribbing never goes, whether victims are air or land lifted. Apart from facilitating rescue,it would prevent and check spread of many water and air born diseases.

– Immediate Counseling Sessions be organised for those(mainly women & children) who have survived and have the courage and strength to live in temporary dwelling units even in view of further suspected tremors.
--Rains will continue to take place, occasionally with hail storms, at the current phase of Monsoon. Rescuers, therefore, may have to get used to the prevailing circumstances. Life has to resume in full gear,gradually.

  • Forces and funds will continue to flow in from the developed countries for the time being but what is important and significant in the ultimate analysis is the LOCAL CAPACITY BUILDING WITH AN ELEMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY.
  • Whatever has been seen thus far,is THE TIP OF ICEBURG. The devastation of much more magnitude is bound to surface in the following week or fortnight when number of dead would exceed even 15,000.One has to prepare,therefore,with more care and precaution for the challenges emanating from the fresh discovery of dead bodies as also the epidemic that normally follows in such trying conditions.

All said and done,thanks to a very timely initiative by the advance thinking Prime.Minister. of India ,many precious lives of not only the Nepalese and Indians but also of 170 Nationals of 15 countries were saved at the nick of time. Same is close on the heels of similar dare devil rescue of the Nationals of 45 countries from Yemen by the MEA and IAF, barely a fortnight ago.

India is not only re-iterating its long standing and trusted human commitment,it has been also in a position to effectively display its robust Disaster Management acumen to the whole world in the backdrop of the multiplicity of tremors in Nepal resulting into the death of 6000 lives,11,000 injured and loss of over 20,000 houses, so far.

Perhaps we may have reasons to negate the famous statement of noted Economist Malthus. He had stated "When Man fails, Nature TAKES over".In the changing scenario, should not we say"The nature may have a propensity to take over but man, upon learning bitter lessons,does shift the focus from the Centuries-old Relief Method to a better equipped,trained and experienced Mitigation Regime.?"
Lives are still being lost but in lesser numbers and people being shifted in time far outnumbers the people earlier dying during what is called the crucial Golden Hour.

Tailpiece-

AN OLD WOMAN RESCUED AFTER 50 HOURS ,A TEENAGER AFTER 6 DAYS AND A FIVE MONTH OLD BABY AFTER 22 HOURS SPEAKS BOTH OF HUMAN ENDURANCE AND IMPACT OF RENEWED RELIEF INITIATIVES.


R&R NO LONGER HAS TO CATER TO POLITICAL MILEAGE NOR FOR T.R.P. IS IS DECISIVELY INCHING TOWARDS RE-INCULCATION OF THE SPIRIT OF HUMANITY>

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