Logging into Facebook /Twitter has become the most convenient thing to get hold of the latest news. Unlike the past religious festivals are also being discussed promoted and covered in these sites. I was well aware of the famous ‘Attukal Pongala’ festival from indirect and direct mentioning from my close social circuit. Anyways, I couldn’t resist myself from ignoring the pictures and the media reports on the same. I decided to google if anybody has ever written on the dark side of this ‘Mega Event’ nor about the real safety measures needed to accommodate this crowd. Let me just make sure that I am a Devotee and has absolutely nothing against the religious beliefs of the 3.5 million women who participated in this or those million women across the globe who missed performing this.
I have lost someone who was very dear to me performing this so called ‘Food Offering to Goddess’.Its been almost 6 years and I still don’t understand the logic/or call it the bad luck when that person has been chosen among the 3 million to undergo a painful death or rather to put in the crude way,to offer herself to god by accident. Even 6 years back there were plenty of security measures, volunteers, ambulances and what not. I don’t know if the readers will blame it on the carelessness of the casualty, But I can bet that in a place like Kerala it is indeed a very difficult task to save someone’s life by swift paramedical care.I have been told that it took almost 1.5 hours to cover a mere 4 km in the state of emergency. Do they have a safety policy?Have they done the necessary studies?Are all these people educated about the safety precautions?I doubt whther this is all feasible in God’s own Country where 100% literacy come as a trademark.
I have investigated a bit on such untold stories(not in the Media )about precious lives lost in this much hyped and holy festival. Many lives, Families curse their ill luck or even believe as the Goddess’s early call to attaining moksha.
But the truth is that we people have to think if our society or our governing bodies are equipped with all that is needed to host the 3.5 million women. Mebbe I am biased in my judgement, but I have heard many personal stories who were deprived trauma care and are still leading a painful life. I couldn’t read of any story or a reporter mentioning about those who stopped living after this. I still believe if you believe in your faith, why don’t you do at your home in your own safety?
3 comments:
What else a govenment can do, it has to oblige majority, media want hype, real fact is that now a days local women are doing ponkala in front of TV in their own premises and appoint priests on their own cost so that they can go home and watch serial in time,
There are enough vacant spaces in middle of city to do ponkala but people coming from other districts prefer to do it in outskirts like KAzhakuttam Kesavadasapuram so that they can park their vehicle conveniently and go back in time. But media misinterpret this as ponkala now reached to Kazhakuttam , no wonder if ponkala reach Quilon in a few years.
None has guts to disclose real facts, if one party decied to clear way the other will blame them and they are afraid to loose rule because of this. In a state where rule depends on only 2 seats none would take any risk.
What is the most important point?
Media should report boring deaths more ?
People should pray at home?
Govt. should spend more money on safety of people?
Well if people can perform on suburbs of TVM,then why dont they just be at home and do it on the auspicious day.I dont see any harm is GOVT spending money on public safety.There are lot of safety measures followed overseas when there are such huge crowds and where massacres are likely..
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