Recently while talking to a departmental official, the conversation shifted to the department’s topmost officer who has been accused of corruption and activities of a criminal nature. The issue had also reached the chief minister’s office in the past following an enquiry that had found substance in the allegations. However, the allegedly corrupt official remains at the helm of affairs awaiting retirement. According to the official I was talking to, the secret of the corrupt official’s “success” in career is best described in an adage used in the government circles — “bane raho lul, maze lo full” (appear dull and inactive, enjoy to the fullest). This attitude may have helped the allegedly corrupt official reach the top of his department with controversies before the allegations were made but if such a mentality is allowed to grow in civil society, it might ultimately hasten disaster and exacerbate its impact. We may find it convenient to remain uninvolved in various affairs of the government and society but eventually, we will have to hear the voice of logic and use the common sense that appears to have become rarer in our society especially when it comes to important issues.
Recently after the Nepal earthquake there was much talk for some days about seismic safety and possibility of a quake in Uttarakhand as some seismologists have stated — anytime within the next 50 years. Following such media reports, some questions were asked of politicians and government officials who promptly replied specifically citing the ongoing Char Dham Yatra that the State Disaster Response Force and district disaster management units have the trained manpower and instructions to do the needful in case a quake shakes the State. That is simply a convenient datum whereas we continue to ignore what is common knowledge — earthquakes do not kill, it is the buildings that kill. Considering the various major earthquakes experienced in different areas of the State that have killed multitudes and caused huge property loss across decades till now, earthquakes are not new to this region categorised under seismic zones IV and V. But the State and its people in general appear to ignore this in deeds even while acknowledging it in words.
The State’s Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre had in 2007 published a study that had pointed out the seismic safety aspects used in traditional architecture to construct buildings with upto five floors that have withstood many earthquakes without collapsing. It was recommended that such traditional aspects be studied and adapted for practical use considering the present situations. However, needless to say little has been done on these recommendations. The DMMC itself does not know whether such traditional seismic safety methods are being used in the construction of the new assembly and secretariat buildings at Gairsain. Basically, the new Assembly building in Gairsain should appear to have aspects of traditional design but not necessarily those traditional aspects that are more important than appearances, if officials are to be believed. In Dehradun which falls under seismic zone IV, there is in reality no effective system to ensure that seismic safety aspects are incorporated in residential and commercial buildings. A certified structural engineer is required to certify a building map before construction but even the buildings without such certification are later compounded by the authority concerned. We have known for years that in case of a strong quake in the Dehradun region, it would take some days for the rescue and relief vehicles to even enter localities around the Clock Tower where buildings old and new are packed tightly together. Same could be the situation in other localities due to the unplanned urbanization that has been allowed to continue. But that is apparently not important. It is more important that panic not be spread so that the business of tourism is not hampered in the State.
It is not as if the authorities have done nothing. There has been some work on training masons in retro-fitting of homes to incorporate seismic safety measures and many academic studies and seminars by departments and institutions. But the government alone cannot be expected to do the needful if the citizens themselves appear unaware and uninterested. At a time when a lot of the ‘development’ in the State appears to have been facilitated ignoring real public welfare, environmental concern, risk factors and even common sense, the public cannot afford to remain dull and uninvolved like the allegedly corrupt department head mentioned earlier. The number of people with internet access has increased considerably and the government at least claims to be committed to transparency and public awareness. Why not use this situation to become aware and question public servants when in doubtIJ