SABARIMALA-PULMEDU ACCIDENT 102 PERSONS KILLED

    After witnessing the "marajyoti at Sabarimala were feared killed 102 persons and several others injured on Friday night,14th January,2011. The National flag at all state government offices will fly at half-mast till Monday evening(17th January,2011) to mourn the loss of life in the stampede in pulmade, Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.

    Travancore Devaswom Board will provide better facilities for Sabarimals pilgrims next season. Additional chief secretary in charge of Devaswam has said. The infrastructure development and safety measures will be ensured in unauthorised vantage points. The authorities had identified 10 projects to be implemented before the next season. The pilgrims had been using a dozen unauthorized vantage points for a better view of the makarajyoti.
   The Nair Service society said the lapses made by the state government in making arrangements for the pilgrims led to the tragedy. the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board responsibele for the accident. The NSS called upon the state government and Devaswom Board to collaborate with centre to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The SNDP also alleged that the state government was responsibele for the trgedy. the government had failed to arrange basic facilities for the pilgrims.
     Kerala Governor R.S Gavai expressed shock and sorrow at the heavy loss of life in the stampede at sabarimala-pulmedu. In a condolence message,Mr Gavai conveyed his sorrow to the next of kin of the deceased.
   BJP president said" The death of 102 pilgrims was most unfortunate. The government, which did not implement the Chandra sekhara menon commission report after a similar incident in 1999.
    Sabarimala is one of the India's major pilgrimage spot. The Hill shrine of Sabarimals has a unique ethos that welcomes people from all religions. The real challenge in Sabarimala is retain the ecologically fragile environment. The government should expand infrastructure and create sustainable basic facilities for pilgrims.One suggestion is to spread the pilgrim season through the year.
   The state crime branch set in motion an investigation in to the tragedy. Kerala Chief Minister on Saturday announced that the state would institute a judicial inquiry in to the incident and the state government would extend financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each of the deceased and Rs 50000 to the seriously injured and 25,000 to those with minor injuries. The Prime Minister Manmohan singh announced an assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the families of each victims and the government of Tamil Nadu,Karnataka and Andhrapradesh announced an assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of the pilgrims from their states who lost their lives.
102 pilgrims killed. seven were from Kerala and the rest from Tamil Nadu,Karnataka  and Andhra prades, Five of the victims were children. The state government did all arrangements to take the bodies of the victims to their homes.
    The pulmedu track to reach the Sannidhanam is normally avoided and not used by regular pilgrims. Kerala government should have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims.It should now act and ensure that this is the last time such tragedy occurs.
    Kerla Kavya Kala Sahithy,the Kottarakara Based association arranged a condolence meeting at Kurakar Town Center on17th January,2011 at 3 pm.. Prof.John Kurakar,President of the association presided. Mr Bobby Kurakar,Mr Sam Kurakar, Mr Abraham Cherukara, Dr Mohan Kumar, Mr G.Balakrishnan Nair, Dr Ashraff., Dr MuraleedharanNair were spoke on the condolence Meeting.

Prof.JohnKurakar