Commenting on the first
budget (for the year 2006-07) of the present DMK rule, former RBI Governor S.Venkitaramanan
said that it ‘blends compassion with fiscal prudence’ and ‘will hopefully mark
the beginning of a successful journey to a bright and prosperous future for the
State.” Indeed! Kalaignar and compassion are inseparably harmonized and
integrated. Right from his first tenure as Chief Minister during 1969-71, the
schemes introduced by Kalaignar - from free eye camps, abolition of hand-pulled
rickshaws and giving them cycle rickshaws then, to Kalaignar’s Medical
Insurance Scheme for Life Saving Treatments now - are epitomes of compassion
and humanitarianism.
Two significant steps that
Kalaignar took recently flew from his innate compassion and humanitarianism. The
first was an epistle he penned in ‘Murasoli’ published on October 31, hailing
their services even at the cost of risking their lives and warding off blanket
criticism of the entire force for stray incidents involving some individuals, and
thus boosting the morale of police personnel. Kalaignar had said the actions of
the Police should not be judged by isolated incidents and asserted that
effective policing and enhanced vigil has kept crimes under control in the
state.
The Chief Minister had said
that judging the police by isolated incidents would put a ‘black mark’ on their
otherwise illustrious career. “This would not only make them hesitant to
perform but also turn into a social issue.” Police personnel by themselves do
not constitute a community or caste and they are drawn from families of all
communities. Hence to ascribe some common character for the entire force is
illogical. Moreover, when terrorism of all hues is looming large over the
country, it is imperative to encourage the police force and keep their morale
high.
These words of defence of
and praise for police force had a healing effect on police personnel who were
feeling down by unwarranted and sweeping criticisms. That it had a soothing
effect on the ruffled feelings could be seen from their reaction of jubiliation
all over the state. They have displayed Kalaignar’s epistle on the notice
boards of all police stations and in some places they have distributed sweets
to the public.
The second step that
Kalaignar initiated was taking quick actions to alleviate the problems of Sri
Lankan Tamils living in refugee camps in the State. In an emotionally touching
statement on November 1, Kalaignar said he was ‘in tears’ when he saw reports
and pictures depicting the plight of the Lankan Tamils who were living in the
camps without any basic amenities. “It is our duty to take quick actions to
alleviate the problems of the Lankan Tamil refugees. All the departments of the
State government have the responsibility to ensure food, education and peaceful
life to the Tamils who left their motherland for mother Tamil Nadu” the Chief
Minister had said.
In the consultative
meeting of Ministers and officials concerned the Chief Minister convened the
very next day on November 2, Kalaignar said the fact that they are Tamils
should not be forgotten and they should not be looked as refugees. Utmost
importance should be given to their problems and their sufferings should
immediately be attended. It was decided to depute Ministers to all 115 camps in
the state for an on the sport study of the conditions of their living and
submit reports before November 10 and in the meanwhile spend Rs.12 crore
immediately on behalf of the State government for improving basic amenities, pending Centre’s sanction of Rs.18 crore proposal
which was sent earlier.
The Lankan Tamils living
in camps were overwhelmed by Kalaignar’s concern for their welfare and the
steps he has taken to redress their grievances.
As long as Kalaignar is in
the helm of affairs in the state, the interests of every section of the society
are safe in his hands!
(08-11-09)
No comments:
Post a Comment