Why do VIPs visit disater sites? What do they learn in their no more than an hour visit? The Vips come with their entourage, creating confusion and gathering crowds.They divert attention and resources of local adminstration and relief agencies who have to provide for their security, cater to their comfort and brief them about what happenened and what is being done to alleviate the situation. This is unnecssary waste of scarce resources that would be better spend in tending to the injured. Do they really get a better understanding of the tragedy--be it an earthquake, a fire, a bomb blast or the Tsunami. Their visits do not help any one. They, infact, hinder the rescue operation. Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati et.el should have stayed home.
