SIKKIM OBSERVER OCT 2, 2011

Editorial

BLOOD MONE Y

Judas Iscariot Committed Suicide

In the Bible Judas Iscariot was paid thirty pieces of silver as bribe by the high priests to betray Jesus Christ. Filled with the guilt of betraying the Son of God, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’s twelve disciples, committed suicide by hanging himself.  In most cultures the term “blood money” is referred to money or some sort of compensation paid to surviving members of a victim’s family.  After the crucifixion of Christ, Judas returns the payment to the chief priests, who “took the silver pieces and said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.’”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s generous offer of Rs 1,000 crore as immediate aid for rebuilding Sikkim after 9/18’s devastating earthquake while being welcomed by some has surprised many. Restoration of road network in the State will surely be a top priority as without roads, including highways, relief and rehabilitation works and other construction works would be virtually impossible. Sikkim is strategically located in the border region and road and other forms of communication need to be restored at the earliest. The army and the BRO did a commendable job when the quake of 6.9 magnitude struck the fragile Himalayan State on September 18. However, their failure to act timely in providing information from and relief to remote areas of North Sikkim such as Dzongu, Lachen and Lachung was severely criticized as their main concern was Chungthang, the region that reported many deaths and destruction mainly due to hydro power project construction works.

The State Government was almost paralyzed when the quake hit Sikkim. Nothing much is expected from government officials even during peace time. How can we expect them to perform and perform with greater speed and direction during abnormal circumstances? Even Chief Minister Pawan Chamling took a long time to visit Mangan, epicenter of the quake and headquarters of north district. There has been a spontaneous response from the public to help in relief and rehabilitation work. It now appears that more than Rs 1000 crore will be provided to Sikkim to start things anew. Surprisingly, government departments and officials have now come forward in assessing the destruction and damage caused by the recent earthquake. The public is aware that behind their every move is the hidden agenda to make a fast buck. Let them be warned: if they misuse the “blood money” and other relief and rehabilitation materials meant for quake victims  they, too, may go the Judas Iscariot way.