08-14-2006, 12:35 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Learn from Gujarat </b>
The Pioneer Edit Desk
Modi shows why he's CM No. 1 ---- The Gujarat floods sent a shiver down the spine of the national economy. Production in the State's industrial belts was down to minimum and the export market was hit hard. The oil fields were shut for three days, putting a squeeze on retail outlets. The brunt of the crisis was felt by consumers of natural gas because production of this important energy source for industry had to be virtually stopped. There were power outages in the State and beyond - even all the way to Delhi - because gas-fired turbines ground to a halt. But, in spite of all the adversities, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi displayed remarkable grit and sense of urgency in coming to grips with the natural disaster. Unlike other Chief Ministers and Central Ministers who make ritual helicopter flights over flood-hit areas - as if the sight of flying machines is enough to mitigate people's problems - Mr Modi travelled by road and mingled incognito with the people to manage the crisis over five days. He summarily dismissed the unfounded charge made by the Congress that Surat, the worst affected town, was a "man-made tragedy" not with words but by giving precedence to service over petty politics. Then, there was deliberate disinformation spread about the State Government releasing water from the Ukai dam earlier than necessary. Such accusations are not new. It is virtually impossible for administrations to time the opening of the sluice gates to a nicety considering the fact that what one is dealing with is the force of nature. In any case, <span style='color:red'>the argument proferred by Mr Modi's critics does not stand because there was not a single death reported in Surat.</span> The Chief Minister personally supervised the relief operations and ensured that officials and self-serving minor politicians did not interfere with higher authority. Usually, VIP visits during relief operations cause needless diversion of resources. Mr Modi, on the other hand, has shown how other States and their leaders must handle such natural calamities.. He shunned rhetoric and concentrated on rescue operations, one of which saved the lives of 350 children. <b>He has established yet again what it takes to be regarded as the best Chief Minister in the country.</b>
What, on the other hand, did Mr Modi's critics do? Congress president Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, tried their best to cash in on people's misery. <b>The look of anxiety on Mr Mukherjee's face, it seems, was triggered by the lack of crowds to greet his supreme leader. Feeling snubbed by an indifferent public, the Centre has released a paltry Rs 350 crore for Gujarat which Mr Modi has rightly described as insignificant and insulting. The Congress has still not realised that playing politics with disaster aid does not pay in the long run.</b> Partisan federalism, especially in times of natural calamities, is revealing of the Congress's deeper mindset. The people of Gujarat ware watching.
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Rajesh,
Media is after Modi. And they can't resist. Compare Gujarat handling of Flood with Maharastra or even Bihar.
Its time, media should go to hell for good.
The Pioneer Edit Desk
Modi shows why he's CM No. 1 ---- The Gujarat floods sent a shiver down the spine of the national economy. Production in the State's industrial belts was down to minimum and the export market was hit hard. The oil fields were shut for three days, putting a squeeze on retail outlets. The brunt of the crisis was felt by consumers of natural gas because production of this important energy source for industry had to be virtually stopped. There were power outages in the State and beyond - even all the way to Delhi - because gas-fired turbines ground to a halt. But, in spite of all the adversities, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi displayed remarkable grit and sense of urgency in coming to grips with the natural disaster. Unlike other Chief Ministers and Central Ministers who make ritual helicopter flights over flood-hit areas - as if the sight of flying machines is enough to mitigate people's problems - Mr Modi travelled by road and mingled incognito with the people to manage the crisis over five days. He summarily dismissed the unfounded charge made by the Congress that Surat, the worst affected town, was a "man-made tragedy" not with words but by giving precedence to service over petty politics. Then, there was deliberate disinformation spread about the State Government releasing water from the Ukai dam earlier than necessary. Such accusations are not new. It is virtually impossible for administrations to time the opening of the sluice gates to a nicety considering the fact that what one is dealing with is the force of nature. In any case, <span style='color:red'>the argument proferred by Mr Modi's critics does not stand because there was not a single death reported in Surat.</span> The Chief Minister personally supervised the relief operations and ensured that officials and self-serving minor politicians did not interfere with higher authority. Usually, VIP visits during relief operations cause needless diversion of resources. Mr Modi, on the other hand, has shown how other States and their leaders must handle such natural calamities.. He shunned rhetoric and concentrated on rescue operations, one of which saved the lives of 350 children. <b>He has established yet again what it takes to be regarded as the best Chief Minister in the country.</b>
What, on the other hand, did Mr Modi's critics do? Congress president Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, tried their best to cash in on people's misery. <b>The look of anxiety on Mr Mukherjee's face, it seems, was triggered by the lack of crowds to greet his supreme leader. Feeling snubbed by an indifferent public, the Centre has released a paltry Rs 350 crore for Gujarat which Mr Modi has rightly described as insignificant and insulting. The Congress has still not realised that playing politics with disaster aid does not pay in the long run.</b> Partisan federalism, especially in times of natural calamities, is revealing of the Congress's deeper mindset. The people of Gujarat ware watching.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Rajesh,
Media is after Modi. And they can't resist. Compare Gujarat handling of Flood with Maharastra or even Bihar.
Its time, media should go to hell for good.