Our hearts go to the millions affected in the super cyclone in the East Coast of India this week. A devastation of precious lives, damage to millions of houses and hutments, irreparable damage to the crops in Orissa in particular and a part of West Bengal. Needless to say this disaster in Orissa should be declared as a national disaster and it is painful to see the Government of India dithering on this declaration. This national disaster has to be managed on war-footing.

It is also high time to take up immediately the national task of anticipatory approach to such calamities. These calamities can not be treated as the problem of the affected state/states alone where such disaster strikes. An integrated National Disaster Plan is the call of the day for anticipatory and remedial measures including immediate financial from a National Calamity Fund. Unfortunately the attitude of the governments at the centre has all along been that of a "benevolent feudal" coupled with redtapism anfd petty political considerations. West Bengal has a bitter experience during recent floods in last week of September ’99, a disaster surpassing the 1978 floods. Inspite of a loss of more than Rs. 2000 crores Government of India has not extended any help against state’s demand of Rs 700 crores. The state had to remain content with only some uncharitable comments of the Prime Minister during his election visit to the state last month. Let it not be repeated in Orissa.

1st November, 1999.