Some incidents shake the consciousness of the entire society and are so painful that their sting lasts throughout life. In such a situation, when a Chief Minister, while discharging his role as a ruler, places his heartfelt hands on the sorrows and pain of the people like a guardian, then there is also a feeling in him that I am with you in this hour of pain and this feeling becomes the support of the people like a cool balm on the wounds.
Aliganj of Lucknow The death of 15 children by burning in a fire is such a painful incident that it cannot be compensated, but the human touch of sensitivity given by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to the distressed family members at such a time is a responsible face of the government. When the person sitting at the top of power is seen with the people in their suffering, the hope for justice also increases.
Both compassion and severity are important dimensions of good governance. If compassion heals the wounds of the victim, toughness ensures that no one is left guilty and the victims get justice. But, this is possible only when the leadership is sensitive. When this incident took place in Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was addressing a public meeting in Aligarh. The speech was going on, the stage was decorated, there was excitement in the program and then he got the news which shook him to the core.
CM went to see the victims in the hospital (PTI)
He said from the stage in a pained voice, I was supposed to stay in Aligarh today but I have just received information about a tragic incident in Lucknow in which some children have died in a fire. I have sent officials there and I am also returning to Lucknow immediately. This was the voice of the inner man of a Chief Minister, who was distressed by the incident and was insistent on completing his responsibilities as soon as possible. Understanding their intention, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak had reached the spot and was distraught.
As soon as he reached Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath went straight to the spot and inspected the spot. When a Chief Minister himself takes cognizance of an incident and enters the field, the administrative machinery also becomes equally active. He also went to KGMU hospital to see the injured and consoled the families of the deceased. Assured that the culprits will not be spared under any circumstances. He talked to a girl who was undergoing treatment on oxygen support and got complete information. Announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.
By the evening this amount was also handed over to the bereaved families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced to give Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF. Financial help does not bring back anyone's life, but it definitely gives the message that the system is not indifferent, it is with you. Defense Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh also reached the incident site and the hospital in the night itself, which was a symbol of the fact that whether it is the central government or the state government, it does not leave people alone in case of disaster.
There are many definitions of politics, but when a politician leaves his program midway, gets up from the stage, runs to a family burning in pain and wipes their tears, then all the definitions get blurred. Only the definition of humanity remains. But along with this, it is also necessary to discharge administrative responsibilities. High level meetings continued at the Chief Minister's residence till midnight. Four officers who were negligent were suspended with immediate effect. Four main accused including building owner Virendra Prasad Shukla were arrested.
An FIR was registered in Aliganj police station against six named accused and other responsible. A two-member SIT comprising Additional Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat and Additional Director General of Police Praveen Kumar was formed, which was directed to submit the report within seven days. Its message went far. In Kanpur, 22 coaching institutes including Physics were sealed. We started visiting every coaching institute in the state to find out what safety measures are in place for the children there. This is also important to prevent future tragedies.
Former UP Director General of Police A.K. Jain
Whenever there has been a disaster situation in the state, the sensitivity of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been seen at its peak. He has every time ensured that timely relief reaches the families affected by storms, lightning, heavy rains or accidents. Even the ministers in-charge of all the districts have been instructed to meet such families and share their sorrows. Whenever any major natural or man-made disaster occurred in Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister left his office and personally stood near that pain.
This difference from the previous rulers has made him a popular leader. Even in the stampede that took place during Maha Kumbh-25 in Prayagraj, he ensured that relief and compensation reached every affected person and made such arrangements that it was not repeated again. Even when lakhs of migrant laborers were on the streets during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Yogi government became a trouble-shooter. This is such a governance philosophy in which power is not just a chair but gives a sense of responsibility.
CM Yogi's seriousness regarding the Aliganj fire incident can be gauged from the fact that he canceled all his official programs for the next day. It is expected that the SIT will also conduct its investigation with full seriousness and ensure that those guilty of this fire are given strict punishment. If this happens, a strong message from the government will reach those who disobey the rules and regulations and those who support them. This will also prevent possible accidents, so that no other child or innocent person is killed.
Many leaders enter the corridors of power. They make promises, but people remember only the leader who stands near the fire of pain. The sensitivity of the government is fulfilled when, after wiping the tears, it also ends the environment which caused these tears. Security is a permanent commitment.
One who goes away does not return, this is the harsh truth, but when a Chief Minister places his hand on the head of a crying mother, or holds the hand of a child lying on a hospital bed, a helpless family gets reassurance. This is the thread of trust which is tied between the government and the people and whose strength is very important for democracy. (The author is a former Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh.)
