Saturday, 10 July 2021 | Paritosh Kimothi | Dehradun
THE OTHER SIDE
For decades the government has and still continues to act against prohibited trade in controlled substances. However, for one observing Uttarakhand even for a couple of decades, the establishment would appear to be the supplier of something that is replicating the experience and relationship between a supplier and a junkie.
Firstly, without being philosophical one can state that it’s not just prohibited substances which have the effect of what we call drugs on the people. A knowledgeable scientist will tell you how various human emotions and actions done to address these emotions can have effects on the brain and psychology which are not very different than drugs. Development is one thing which seems to be the top priority of the government and rightly so. People who have enjoyed benefits of development are more likely to progress along with their state and nation than those who are deprived. However, it is the concept, method and damage resulting from so called development which appears to be replicating the experience of a substance abuser. In the case of most prohibited drugs, the novice gets the initial taste for free and usually enjoys it beyond what he or she had thought enjoyment could be. Then starts the phase of buying the substance in search of that initial euphoria, mostly in vain. As funds deplete while the substance abuse takes a mental and physical toll apart from other damage, the user starts taking desperate measures to feed the habit to both relive that first kick and also to survive with the addiction. Ethics, common sense and other aspects are ignored by the user who lives only for the next hit even while observing and even comprehending at times that the road he or she is on ends in destruction with sorrow and loneliness for company to the end. The user may know that health and happiness can be enjoyed better sans the substance abuse but is unable to give it up unless very strong will power or effective and corrective action are put to work.
Now, instead of a banned drug like smack or heroin place the development model being followed in Uttarakhand. The establishment gave the people a taste, in the beginning apparently for free. The basics weren’t bad at all- they were needed. Roads, infrastructure and basic facilities are not really development per se- they are what is meant to be provided anyway. However, soon after the state was formed- the dangerous development model was put forth. Successive governments expended resources and damaged the environment to do what was not really necessary. For example, instead of actually ensuring proper traffic management and good public transportation, the government goes for widening roads by damaging the environment only to facilitate more traffic and assured damage in the future. This is because the establishment seems to work in tandem with the manufacturers and sellers of vehicles and other products which are very useful if used properly but detrimental if used illogically. Many thousands of trees have been cut, the mountains have been eroded, buildings have been constructed indiscriminately and urban planning along with similar aspects has long gone for a toss. People have been directly experiencing the result of climate change and environmental destruction in Uttarakhand. It has affected lives physically, mentally, culturally and economically in many ways. However, like a junkie hoping to relive the initial euphoria, we continue to be fooled into supporting destructive actions with the illogical hope of benefitting from it. Does one need to be a rocket scientist to understand that the best of roads and other modern facilities will amount to nothing if the environment if irreparably damaged? The environment is the foundation upon which our present and future depends but apart from formal statements and the usual official actions, little is being done in Uttarakhand to prevent environmental damage and nurture our most valuable and irreplaceable asset. The pre-monsoon rains blocked nearly 200 roads in Uttarakhand due to landslides and other factors last month and this is just a glimpse of what is in store. The damage will be much more serious in the future if we continue as it is. All is not yet lost, all we need is to prioritise what is really important and ensure effective action. What remains to be seen is whether we are too addicted to the ‘development’ drug or whether we still have sense and volition to do the needful.
