Floods kindled sense of humanity
Rains seem have weakened in Kodagu and Kerala, but the ill effects of this torrential showers that wreaked havoc on these parts is beginning to show up now. The hinterlands were out of reach till now. But since the water level is receding, the areas that were out of bounds till now, can be connected and reached. The actual picture of damage is beginning to become clear in phases now.
Right now, it is impossible to arrive at the actual number of deaths that happened due to these floods. Hundreds have been disappeared in these waters and it is difficult to assess whether they just went missing or even died in the floods. The Kerala state government has pitched the loss at about Rs 15,000 crores. Prime Minister Modi conducted aerial survey and announced an interim relief of Rs 500 crore. The state government had sought at least Rs 2000 cr aid from the centre. The responsibility of the centre is to release at least Rs 1000 cr to aid relief operations and manage the situation since things may get out of hand if the damage control works are not initiated at war footing.
On the other hand even Kodagu is reeling under flood situation. The loss here is pitted at above Rs 15,000 cr though the revenue department has said right now the estimate is closer to Rs 7500 but then this is to say the very least. Central government has a big role to play in sending aid and announcing relief. There is already an allegation that central government ignores the south part of India, and central govt seems to be proving that right as well with its slow pace of responding to situations in Kerala and Karnataka. Another common factor is both states do not have BJP govts. PM Modi has to follow Raj Dharma on this occasion.
The central government has been spending thousands of crores on building monuments. Construction of Shivaji Park has been estimated at Rs 4000 crore, and Sardar Patel’s statue will cost a few thousands of crores. But then a natural disaster of this scale would not even deem some proper attention by the central government, let alone providing or allocating financial aid.
Shivaji faced the Moguls with the help of local inhabitants and tribals. If one could open a library to stock books that are written about his bravery and administration, that would be the biggest favour we would be doing to future generations to know about their heroes who saved their motherland from invaders. But when a government places a monument as priority against the human suffering people are facing in the eye of nature’s wrath, one would wonder about the overall ability of the government to be people’s representative. Hence instead of using public money for statues or monuments, the funds should be used to save people’s lives today and ensure they get a better future tomorrow.
Humans are bearing the brunt of their greed now in the face of destruction and other calamities. But other people’s response to this is somewhat very heartening. Looks like the floods have woken up the humans inside every person who wants to help. More than the aid announced by the government, people’s collections and donations are looking a lot bigger than that. The amount of food items that have reached Kodagu are so massive that officers have been requesting people not to send food items any more. So many volunteers have reached to help relief operations in Kerala too. No one bothers about the caste, creed or race of those who are suffering, or those who are providing the aid. Artists, writers, labourers, doctors, teachers, students, officers and engineers everyone is stretching helping hand in their own way.
Our army people are the best in their rescue operations. This is like a war man is trying to win against the nature, and humanity is winning in the meantime. People have shown they can respond with same passion even when an enemy touches the borders of our country. Gulf countries have sent their help our way. Muslims have reduced half the amount of money they were intending to use for Bakrid and have been appealing to their fellows to contribute some Kurbani money to relief operations. There are some Sangh parivar members who have been creating a divide of those affected by floods as Hindus and Muslims or Christians or of any other caste etc.
Some have spread canards saying floods happened in Kerala because they eat beef or because court ruled that women should be allowed inside Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple. We need to learn to ignore this and tread ahead. It may take a few years before Kerala comes back to normalcy. It would be everybody’s duty to oversee the disbursement of financial contributions is done efficiently to ensure every person is safe and rehabilitated. Else, this flood may help someone amass illegal wealth in the guise of helping each other.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
