Shed Your Tears

In Thattekkad reservoir near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam District, a boat carrying school children capsized killing 15 children and 3 teachers. The news papers and electronic media had a great time. They were really celebrating bringing out special editions and centre-spread pull outs full of photos of the tragedy.

Eighteen bodies were laid out on the courtyard of a rural school. The whole village was weeping. Going through the stories, I too felt uneasy. For a split second, i imagined myself as an unfortunate father among them. Pointing to a photo in newspaper my 4 year old little one asked why those children were sleeping. I told something else.

How suddenly and cleverly our leaders assume somberness fit for the situation. Extraordinary cabinet meeting in the school itself! Another enquiry commision constituted! But who cares? Is the boat driver alone responsible for such a tragedy? Can they ever book the real culprits?