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The Manhole Way To Money?

It all started with the dramatic fall and rescue operation of Prince, a five-year-old in Kurukshetra, who fell into a 60-ft hellhole last July. The massive rescue operation involving the Indian army culminated in a happy ending when Prince was fished out after spending 48 traumatic hours. This unfortunate event was well milked by all news-starved channels and received publicity equal to if not more than the wedding of AbhiAsh.

There were reports of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh having led the nation in praying for the safety of Prince whose travails was captured live by the television channels. Soon after the rescue, flashes of people rejoicing and distributing sweets were beamed. Haryana minister announced cash rewards and free education for the "brave child of Haryana".
Amidst all this instant adulation and loads of good luck, somewhere the trauma and tribulation of the child was forgotten. What however remained in the public memory was the fame and riches that came along his way.

Suddenly children in India seem to be falling into pits and manhole with alarming frequency. Are these a part of some strange coincidence or is it being seen as an easy shortcut to fame and money?

Here is a list of children fallen in such drains and pits since Prince.

Child falls into manhole, dies

Four-year-old falls into water tank, dies

Child falls into drain and is washed away

Boy falls into sewer, Army called in

Boy feared drowned in manhole at Musheerabad

And the latest seems to be little Suraj in Jaipur.
Hope fading for kid trapped in borewell

How do these kids manage to fall into holes and crevices that are so inaccessible by the rescue teams? While I am not implying that parents are pushing their children into manholes and open drains in the lure of quick money, fame and public sympathy, what’s worrying is the rate at which such incidents seem to be occurring.By airing this concern over careless parents, I am by no means trying to condone the civic authorities who don't seem to bother over open drains and coverless manholes.

Time our civic authorities are made answerable to such unfortunate incidents.

Prayers to little Suraj Banjara.
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Anonymous said…
Glad to see to back at posting regularly Swetha.
Tuesday, 10 July, 2007
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