National disaster is becoming an annual phenomenon for the world's largest democracy, it seems. Last year it was Uttarakhand flash floods and this year the nation is battling, what is being labelled as "the hell in the heaven", a massive flood fury in Jammu and Kashmir.
But the calamity, which has simultaneously marooned many places in Kashmir Valley across the Line of Control (LoC), reminds of a punch line from a detergent ad: "daag achhe hain (stains are good)".
No calamity can be good for a country or its people. And, the flood in Kashmir Valley - the northern most state's worst disaster since Independence - is no different.
But the calamity in case also has some positive facets. Despite it claiming nearly 300 lives so far and causing a loss of worth billions of rupees to public and private property, the Kashmir deluge has united India. Money and relief materials are pouring in from across the country.
Only a couple of years ago the valley was battling the menace of stone pelting and the ensuing firing by security forces. But the situation has totally changed. Lakhs of people have been stranded in various districts as swollen rivers have inundated the paradise.
People laud army
Leading from the front, the Indian Army has been rescuing people trapped in their houses, offices, community buildings and other elevated areas. Nearly 1 lakh people have already been moved to safer places by the teams of armed forces and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The armed forces are indeed bringing smile back to people's faces. Locals have been thanking soldiers for their service. Social media has been abuzz with lavish praises for the security forces as people narrate stories of rescue of their near and dear ones in various parts of the valley.
It is a known fact that army columns were not rushed to Kashmir Valley from other states in the eventuality of the disaster, as it happens normally. They were already stationed in the state given the situation of terrorism and militancy in the state.
The army's role becomes even more significant given its opposition, particularly over the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The state government has for a long been asking the Centre to repeal AFSPA, which has been in force since 1990 to tackle militancy in the valley.
However, the army stay put insisting it was still not the right time to move out of the valley handing over its security to the state police.
Not surprisingly, Kashmiri separatist leaders have been silent all these days, not making statement to the media about the flood situation in the state or army's efforts.
PM's 'cross-border heroism'
Realising the seriousness of the disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a sudden visit to the state on Monday and announced a Rs 1,000 crore relief package. His prompt move compelled even his strong critics, including senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, praising and thanking the PM.
Modi's gesture did not stop at this side of the Line of Control (LoC). Despite India itself struggling, he was quick to offer relief to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The move saw his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif expressing gratitude.
Social media saw it as "cross-border heroism" of Modi in response to "cross-border terrorism", backed by Pakistan state factors.
That left the mastermind of 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai - chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba's front Jamaat-ud-Dawah Hafiz Saeed - with no option but to blame India for the floods in PoK.
Such expressions of solidarity - both by the army and the central government - would compel the people of Kashmir, especially those whose thinking might be influenced by separatists, feel that they too are Indians and those living across the border might see India as a friendly neighbour.
If that happens, 'floods achhe hain'!
But the calamity, which has simultaneously marooned many places in Kashmir Valley across the Line of Control (LoC), reminds of a punch line from a detergent ad: "daag achhe hain (stains are good)".
No calamity can be good for a country or its people. And, the flood in Kashmir Valley - the northern most state's worst disaster since Independence - is no different.
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A temple inundated by the overflowing Tawi in
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Only a couple of years ago the valley was battling the menace of stone pelting and the ensuing firing by security forces. But the situation has totally changed. Lakhs of people have been stranded in various districts as swollen rivers have inundated the paradise.
People laud army
Leading from the front, the Indian Army has been rescuing people trapped in their houses, offices, community buildings and other elevated areas. Nearly 1 lakh people have already been moved to safer places by the teams of armed forces and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The armed forces are indeed bringing smile back to people's faces. Locals have been thanking soldiers for their service. Social media has been abuzz with lavish praises for the security forces as people narrate stories of rescue of their near and dear ones in various parts of the valley.
It is a known fact that army columns were not rushed to Kashmir Valley from other states in the eventuality of the disaster, as it happens normally. They were already stationed in the state given the situation of terrorism and militancy in the state.
The army's role becomes even more significant given its opposition, particularly over the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The state government has for a long been asking the Centre to repeal AFSPA, which has been in force since 1990 to tackle militancy in the valley.
However, the army stay put insisting it was still not the right time to move out of the valley handing over its security to the state police.
Not surprisingly, Kashmiri separatist leaders have been silent all these days, not making statement to the media about the flood situation in the state or army's efforts.
PM's 'cross-border heroism'
Realising the seriousness of the disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a sudden visit to the state on Monday and announced a Rs 1,000 crore relief package. His prompt move compelled even his strong critics, including senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, praising and thanking the PM.
Modi's gesture did not stop at this side of the Line of Control (LoC). Despite India itself struggling, he was quick to offer relief to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The move saw his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif expressing gratitude.
Social media saw it as "cross-border heroism" of Modi in response to "cross-border terrorism", backed by Pakistan state factors.
That left the mastermind of 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai - chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba's front Jamaat-ud-Dawah Hafiz Saeed - with no option but to blame India for the floods in PoK.
Such expressions of solidarity - both by the army and the central government - would compel the people of Kashmir, especially those whose thinking might be influenced by separatists, feel that they too are Indians and those living across the border might see India as a friendly neighbour.
If that happens, 'floods achhe hain'!
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