Archives / October 2018

Prof.V.Karthikeyan Nair
We Shall Overcome










The torrential rainfall and severe flood which ravaged Kerala in last July -August had caused immeasurable loss of human lives, cattles, buildings, roads and agriculture. It is a herculean task to rebuild the state and restore the confidence of the peoples. The state government rose to the occasion which was a motive force to those state who involved in rescue operations. The Chief Minister had declared boldly and confidently that the state shall overcome the disaster. He appealed to every section of the population within and outside the state to rise to the occasion to help the flood affected people in kind and cash. The people responded positively and promise of assistance rushed in the form of medicine, food, clothes and cash.

The recent flood had caused damages to certain select regions of the state, especially in river basins, hill slopes and low land areas. The calamity was caused by both human actions and fury of nature. The river bed between rivers Achankovil and Pampa and between Pampa and Manimala was affected most. These rivers immerse in Vembanad lake and consequently these was flood in cultured regions. The area between river Periyar and Chalakudi was affected because of the huge inflow of water from these rivers.

These were the regions affected by the great flood which affected the State 94 years ago in 1924 which also had caused loss to life and wealth. In 1924 the state had taken all efforts to recover from the disaster. Even Mahatma Gandhi had appealed to the whole nation to extend help to rebuild the state. He collected money and handed over it to the authorities.

Similar was the situation at present where the Chief Minister had appealed to the State Government employees to donate their one month’s salary to the relief fund. He appealed to the non-residential malayalees to donate money and make others donate to the relief fund. He appealed to the people to take it as a challenge to rebuild the flood affected state in the form of salary challenge, pension challenge, global challenge and royalty challenge. The response of the people was positive and the people whole heartedly shouted the much spoken slogan “We Shall Overcome”.

Share :