Catastrophic floods should catalyse a ‘new Kerala’, says Governor P Sathasivam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The main takeaway from Times Network’s ‘India for Kerala’ conclave, organised here on Wednesday in the backdrop of the state’s worst floods in living memory, was the need to get to the bottom of why devastation happened on such a scale and, equally importantly, to see the catastrophe as an opportunity to visualise and build a ‘new Kerala’.

Inaugurating the conclave, Governor P Sathasivam spoke about unearthing the real reasons for the floods. “Many people have already termed this flood an ecological disaster to which we have added our bit by blocking waterways and eroding the environmentally sensitive Western Ghats… We have also heard demands for a judicial probe into the handling of the dams and reservoirs. I am certain we will confirm the real reasons very soon,” he said.

In a recorded message, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the Kerala government’s focus at this juncture was two-pronged.

“While carrying out relief activities, we are also focusing on the emergence of a new Kerala. To survive and rebuild, we need an enormous inflow of resources, which our shattered economy is currently not in a position to source all by itself,” he said.

The governor lauded the role of the national media during the calamity and for waging a war against fake news.

The chief minister echoed the same sentiment. “I am happy that Times Group is organising ‘India for Kerala’ as a mark of solidarity with people of our state, and I hope this conclave which will be telecast on all your networks, will take the message across the length and breadth of our nation,” the CM said.

Spread over five sessions on five different topics, the conclave threw up a host of interesting views, perspectives and ideas. Shashi Tharoor, MP, said that a strong needs-assessment by multi-national agencies must be conducted to assess the total loss due to floods and landslides in the state and mooted the idea of an international conference on the lines of post-Bhuj earthquake conference to rebuild Kerala.

In another recorded message, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley promised maximum assistance from all government agencies to flood-hit Kerala during its rehabilitation phase and further financial aid after assessing actual damages. “We now need to start the process of rehabilitation. All agencies of the central government will fully assist Kerala government in rehabilitating its people,” Jaitley said.

On his part, Kerala’s finance minister Thomas Isaac spoke of creating a social environment where there can be more open discussions.