146 killed in Naina Devi temple – so many of them women and children. A mere rumor of a landslide caused a stampede that snuffed out so many lives in the blink of an eye. :-( As usual there will be arguments and counter-arguments. The sum total of it will be zero. I don’t understand why we Indians waste so much time discussing instead of getting down to implementing something concrete. It’s almost become a national malady!

And it’s not as if any sophisticated systems are needed. A good working Public address system, medical aid facility, help desk for anyone looking for information and/or lost children and a crowd management unit. This doesn’t need to be supported by a state-of-the-run IT system but just by a dedicated band of volunteers. And of course a desire to make a difference - to make these holy shrines safer places for the pilgrims!

Unfortunately, the vital ingredient that is missing is this “desire” - making it a sure recipe for disaster. The sad truth is that this nation doesn’t put a premium on human lives. :-(