the rason for such a big stampede is the lack of awareness of people to handle a particular situation. it is just there fear that creates the havoc leading to the killing. the should be made aware how to handle particular situation. i know that it is not so easy but needs some effort from all the classes of society. the media instead of promoting cigars & liqours should look for educating the iliterate & the unaware. fear is always going to remain but it is not the solution to such tragedy. this is my message that INSTEAD OF FEARING TRY TO HANDLE THE SITUATION INTELLECTUALLY.
When I first heard about the stampede, I felt really sorry for them, then for us. It is really sad that we have stampedes in temples, railway stations and people die. The cause of stampede raises one important question, the facilities such as Fire Exit or Fire lanes (as we see in public buildings in America), because if we had that Kumbakonam fire death toll would have been zero. I happened to read an article somewhere by some fanatic that Tsunami is the God's wrath for the arrest of Sankaracharyas in connection to the murder of a temple official. I'm of the view that everybody is equal before law.
There will be the usual criticism of the government and the ministers. The inquiry that the government has ordered would do well to find out whether the first level of civil and police administration did its functions adequately or not. My immediate reaction was that they have a lot to answer for.
Five lakh devotees thronging the narrow aproach to the anctum sanctorum. It being Tuesday, the event attracted more devotees. Did the authorities prepare in advance adequate plans for the safety and convenience of the pilgrims? These questions need to be raised and answered fully and satisfactorily by the local police and adminsitrative officials.
An English TV news channel condescendingly observed that the Wai devotees were 'below the poverty line'. I do not know what was the need to make such a class label. Nor was there any need to refer to their practices and beliefs.
For the whole day we were left tuning to various channels for fuller information but our efforts were of no avail.
The schedules for temple festivals are decided at the beginning of each year. The officials are aware of the influx of people from all over the country. Why then is there not any interest from the government to organise safety and evacuation measures.
I would like to know whether the temple donations go completely to the temples or does it go to the government. This is a matter of grave concern as the government does not think twice when it comes to funding minority festival.
