Every situation brings ups an array of thoughts!
In a democratic political setting the civil society has alternatives to the agenda of the political leadership! Often there is much content and wisdom in these thoughts.
I remember, when the Malayala Manorama newspaper wanted to rebuild houses in earth quake affected areas in Maharashtra about twenty years ago, contacted late, Laurie Baker, an environmental architect, to be the leader o their planning cell. He went and lived among the villagers for a while to get a sense of the need of the community much before designing the houses and common facilities. Although the process took longer than projects sponsored by other corporate houses, the long term benefit of rebuilding the resilience of people was an additional outcome of this participatory process.
Recently a doctor who have close association with colonies that come up following this planning process mentioned to me that people have greater appreciation for the facilities as against others in other villages who were forced to occupy concrete houses without apace for their animals!
I wish the government of Kerala would welcome differing or dissenting opinion to choose wisely and prudently! It is an opportunity- once in hundred years!
Obviously the flood occurred due to various reason! Therefore there is a good enough reason to look into even the remote reason or cause and act futuristically for better prospects of safety of humans and their environment!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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