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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Rohit identifies Arshdeep, Hardik as key to India's chances in T20 World Cup
New Delhi (PTI): T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma reckons all-rounder Hardik Pandya and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh will hold the key to India's prospects in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Defending champions India will enter the T20 showpiece as one of the overwhelming favourites due to their massive depth and quality.
Rohit highlighted Arshdeep's effectiveness with the new ball and at the death.
"It is a big positive to have both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh together because they always attack for wickets. Arshdeep's biggest strength is swinging the new ball and taking early wickets. He mainly bowls with the new ball and at the death. Starting and finishing are the most important phases, and he is strong in both," Rohit told JioHotstar.
"With the new ball, he swings it to get left-handers caught in the slips and targets the pads of right-handers. He has also started taking the ball away from right-handers. These skills are key for a new-ball bowler. He always tries to take wickets, which is why he bowls the first over."
Rohit added, "In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he did a great job. I still remember he dismissed Quinton de Kock when he was set and batting well. In the 19th over, he gave away just two or three runs, which built pressure on the South Africans.
"That is his game, bowling with the new ball and at the death, and he will play a key role for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup."
India won the last edition of the tournament in the Americas under Rohit's captaincy, after which the dashing opener retired from the T20 format internationally.
Rohit also spoke about how Hardik's dual role as a finisher and multi-phase bowler provides crucial balance to the Indian team.
"Whenever Hardik Pandya is in the team, his role is huge. He bats and bowls very consistently. His batting is crucial when the team is stuck. If we have a score of 160 on the board in 15-16 overs and Hardik is batting, then he's the one who can help the team reach 210-220 from there or if we are 50 for 4, he has to build the innings.
"Batting in the middle order at 5, 6, or 7 is very tough. That is why Hardik's role is critical in any format. We know his bowling. He bowls in key phases, with the new ball, in the middle and in the death as well. His role is very important because he gives the team balance, letting us play six bowlers and keep our batting deep."
Rohit said accommodating both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together in the playing XI is going to be a big challenge for the Indian team management.
"The biggest challenge for captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir will be how to play both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy together. If you want that combination, you can only do it if you play with two seamers, which is a big challenge.
"But honestly, I would be tempted to play both Varun and Kuldeep because they are wicket-takers and batters struggle to read them. I would surely pick them."
The former India skipper added, "Looking at the conditions in India, like in this New Zealand series, there is a lot of dew. In February and March, dew will be heavy across most parts as winter ends.
"Even in Mumbai, which doesn't get cold, there's still dew. I'd say 90-95 percent of grounds in India have dew. That's the challenge. What do the coach and captain think? Are they comfortable with three spinners? Then they can play spin, but there's no fixed rule. It depends on the team leaders' thinking."
Rohit also urged Kuldeep to stop appealing on every ball and to rely on the wicketkeeper's judgment for reviews.
"My one simple advice to Kuldeep is to just bowl quietly and go back to his mark. You can't appeal on every ball. This is basic. I keep saying it, but it still happens often. Even after telling him many times, he appeals at every chance. You have to use your head. Just because it touches the pad, it doesn't mean it's out every time. This isn't gully cricket.
"I get he is enthusiastic, but think of the team first. Each team only gets two DRS reviews. If I was the keeper, I could see where the ball pitched and if it was hitting, I could tell the bowler.
"But from covers or slip, you don't know the angle. You have to listen to what the keeper and bowler say. That's why when there's a review off Kuldeep's bowling, I don't look at him, I look at the keeper to decide."
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
