Disaster in Nepal and Operation Maitri - Vijay Shanker Singh

We have never concentrated on the issue of disaster management. We are in the vulnerable seismic zone and the Himalayan ranges are the youngest mountain ranges in world. This earthquake is not new for us. In last century a powerful quake happened in Quetta and Bihar before independence . After independence the worst hit by quakes were Latur and Bhuj. Besides earthquakes , floods are regular features in northern and NE area. But we have neither sufficient manpower nor equipment to counter that. We think, all these are God made calamities and He will take care of it. He takes care or not, it is debatable but I am sure Govt doesn't take care seriously.

NDRF is a new force trained in disaster relief management , has done a commendable job in Kashmir floods and Kedarnath tragedy. But the manpower and equipment in NDRF is not sufficient to face the challenge. Due to this state police or PAC and fire brigade involves in relief operations. They do well but they are not technically expert or equipped to do so. So many times the services of Army is being utilized. Army have better equipment and manpower but they should be called in grave emergency only. State govt must raise DRF Bns on the pattern of NDRF. Central govt has asked many times to raise such forces but these files are remembered only when a disaster broke. Then out of sight out of mind.

In UP, PAC has flood relief Cos in some Bns. But they too are ill equipped and with lesser manpower. In flood season they always overburdened due to the flood havoc. There is an urgent need for disaster relief force. Each unit must have technical staff, medical staff, and manpower and other modern equipments. No doubt, it needs money, but when you compare the human and material losses in comparison of the expenses in raising these units , then you will realise that DRF is necessary.

A friend suggests and he rightly suggests, '' Many countries have separate ministries whose personals are exclusively trained for all kinds of emergency problems. For example, USA has Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Because of global warming and changing climate, natural disasters are expected to rise globally. Delhi is situated on the top of three active seismic fault lines. These fault lines are: Sohna fault line, Mathura fault line, Delhi-Moradabad fault line. If a magnitude of 7.7 earthquake (like that of Nepal) hits this area, many densely populated cities will be flattened. Such discussion should take place at the National level and Modi government, instead of dividing countries on communal lines, should focus on Emergency Management system.'

India has done commendable job to rescue the quake victims of Nepal. PM has taken initiative immediately and instructed all concerned to take necessary action for this Operation Maitri. The IAF and NDRF swung into action. Nepal is an old friend of India, and is culturally united to us. When I was a student in BHU, Varanasi, many Nepalese students were with me. Still some of them are good friends of mine even today. China always want to break this bonding. They always create confusion and the Communist party of Nepal tries to overlap the Chinese interest over Indian friendship. Actually China is a country with expansionist mentality. They want to encircle India. That's why they have developed their interests in Indian Ocean, Shri Lanka and Maldives. Pakistan being solely based on anti Indian sentiments , becomes the natural alley of China. Some times China indulge into Arunanchal , sometimes in Ladakh, sometimes they publish distorted Indian maps deliberately and test the reaction of India and International community. China is not going to involve in a real war with us but we have to be more cautious about dragon's cunning steps.

Nepal was never under the British crown. Britishers found no economic interest in Nepal in comparison with India. They always appointed a Resident in Nepal to watch their interest in Himalayan nation and trans Himalayan areas. A treaty of Sugauli between Nepal and East India Co, had been signed on Dec 2, 1815, and due to this treaty the Garhwal, Kumaun, Sikkim kingdoms and some area of Terai have been handed over to East India Company’s India. Britishers allowed the recruitment of Gurkhas in British Army which had shown their loyalty and bravery in many wars. Thus basically the Nepal is not only culturally attached to India but it is geographicaly amalgamated too.

On this natural calamity, when they have lost most of their resources , India must arise to the occasion and do what we can do. And we are doing this. To provide relief in a quake hit disaster is not an easy task, but tough people last, tough time never !! 

It is time to think over it. Every DM and SP is in field but without some expert manpower and equipments what they can do I can imagine. 
All the best .
- vss