Deaths not a hot topic

Bitter cold, scorching heat, the country can be unsparing. No wonder then that inconvenient weather is the top conversation of convenience, but that's where it stops. The mounting fatality figure attributed to the heat wave is considered something remote, a problem of the weak. The intensity of the sun's rays is the same for everyone, isn’t it, so why bother for those who succumbed or are inclined to? For one, because most of them chose life, ventured out to earn, were strong enough to test their limits, but there was no stroke of luck. The sun struck. The rest died because like always, no one cared and the heat made it impossible for them to take care of themselves.

Soaring temperatures is an annual occurrence, related deaths too, only this time the enormity is unmistakable. So is the timing. Not even a mention or concern shown over the calamity in the rhetoric of the government's one year in office; it is shameful. The last few days have seen more than 750 people die, most of them in Andhra Pradesh. It still does not quality to be a natural disaster for the Centre, but the Andhra CM has announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of the sun-stroke victims. North India is in the midst of a blistering heat, while a warning of high chances of heat stroke, dehydration and fatality has been issued for Odisha, Jharkhand and coastal Andhra.

The standard advisory is to avoid exposure to sunlight between 11 am and 4 pm and drink plenty of water. That is not possible without preventive and mitigatory measures. Work to be carried out in the open must be stopped during peak hot weather, but no such order is issued. Why is it so difficult to provide shelters, ensure drinking water at designated places? Why forget to ask India to take care of itself and show concern for those unable to? Which country can just let people die knowing well they will in the absence of help? The one hopping mad for 8 per cent GDP?