Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

End blame game

Sir, — The derailment of the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express on September 9 prompted a section of the electronic media to label the accident as the Indian version of the attack on the WTC towers in New York almost a year ago. This comparison of two totally disconnected events has unwittingly brought out the sharp contrast in the reactions to the disasters by two democracies. September 11 caught the United States unawares. Yet, the reactions that followed in the media and by politicians of all hues in that country never descended to blame game. No one demanded the sacking of the President or some other functionary. All efforts were on rescue and relief work. On the other hand, in the case of the train accident, even before the bodies could be counted, the blame game has started. Perhaps, the most sickening sight was the de facto Chief Minister of Bihar pouring venom on his political rival, the Railway Minister, against the backdrop of derailed coaches and bodies. We may be the world's largest democracy, but we have a long way to go before becoming a mature one.

K. Balakesari,
Chennai

Sir, — Your Editorial "Politicising a tragedy" (Sept. 12): It is ironical that India is launching an advanced satellite to warn of natural disasters such as cyclones but its Railways is unable to prevent a tragedy on the ground. It was a shame to hear the Railway Minister say that the tragedy was sabotage. He should stop giving trivial statements on how the accident occurred and, instead, concentrate on ensuring immediate relief to the victims of the tragedy.

J. Srihari,
Coimbatore, T.N.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Stand up to the saboteurs
• Disinvestment blues and opportunities
• Positive possibilities
• Shedding darkness
• The gap widened during the 1990s
• Cauvery: not an inter-party matter
• End blame game
• Cauvery wrangle
• Looming crisis
• Village republics
• Dispute and mediation
• Just not cricket

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu