Kathmandu. On the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Prime Minister Balen Shah remembered the children of Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flood-affected areas and gave an emotional message to the parents who are suffering from the calamity.
On Friday, Prime Minister Shah released a message through social networking site Facebook and mentioned that while most of the children are rejoicing in the guise of Radha-Krishna on Janmashtami, the children of the flood-affected areas are suffering.
Today is Shri Krishna Janmashtami. It is a day when the little grandparents dress up as Radha-Krishna and eat butter and rejoice," he wrote, "but, this year, the grandparents of Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flood-affected areas could not be so happy. They are in deep pain.'
He said that some children may be looking for their parents and relatives due to the flood and asked them to be sensitive to the condition of the affected children.
Prime Minister Shah has said that after the flood, the seriously injured, pregnant women, pregnant women, disabled people and the elderly have been given first priority in rescuing children. He said that children are living in the holding centers being operated in the affected areas and the government is working for their safe and comfortable living.
We will arrange a safe and comfortable accommodation soon. We will create an environment for them to weave their dreams for the future," said Shah.
He mentioned that the risk of disasters in the Himalayan region is increasing due to climate change and said that the world community should be continuously informed about the disasters and risks that Nepal is facing.
Asking the children to join in disaster preparedness, he has suggested to keep a 'disaster bag' ready at home, to inculcate the habit of saving from an early age and to study and discuss climate change.
Prime Minister Shah has also asked the children to calculate by themselves how much money will be accumulated in Nepal in one year if they save one rupee daily.
According to him, 13 thousand 95 people have been rescued so far during the disaster. He has thanked the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal and other expert teams who worked in the rescue operation regardless of their lives.
Similarly, he has also expressed his gratitude for the support given by Nepalis abroad, allies and development partner organizations during the disaster.
"The language of disaster is destruction and sorrow, but during such a crisis, we should work with the spirit of unity, harmony and brotherhood in mind," he wrote.
Remembering the teachings of Shri Krishna, Prime Minister Shah said that one should not be depressed in times of struggle and calamity.
We should proceed with patience, duty and unity. We will not stop," he said.
He has called on everyone to face the disaster and work together to build a safe and bright Nepal.
This is the status of the Prime Minister
Our dear parents,
Today is Shri Krishna Janmashtami. It is a day when the little ones dress up as Radha-Krishna and enjoy eating butter. Pictures of grandparents having fun with flutes in their hands are being shared on social media.
However, the grandparents of Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flood-affected areas could not be so happy in this year's festival. They are in deep pain. Some are expressing this pain while others are shocked.
Some of you may not have even thought about what happened suddenly. Their eyes are looking for their parents and relatives. By the time some of the fathers and mothers reached the 10th day of the calamity, they might have realized that our dear country Nepal is now facing a great calamity.
Indeed, today the country is sad. How many friends have you lost? How many houses and settlements have been destroyed. The playgrounds are closed. Today, their own place may have become like a stranger.
Immediately after the flood, we gave first priority in rescuing the seriously injured, pregnant women, pregnant women, disabled people and the elderly from the affected areas. Even now that order continues.
They are staying here in the holding center we are operating in the affected area. We know—it's not an easy ride for those here. However, we will arrange a safe and comfortable accommodation soon. Again, we will prepare an environment for them to weave their future dreams.
Here are the bright lights of tomorrow. We are working for their safe future. We are working as hard as we can. The people here are also compatible with that.
Disaster will come again. Climate change has had a major impact on our Himalayan region. The whole world must have known about this thunderbolt of calamity that has befallen us. However, the world community should be constantly informed about the suffering and disaster risk we are experiencing and they should also be made responsible for reducing such risks.
We are the inhabitants of the Himalayan country. So always be alert. Grandparents of the affected areas suffered directly from the calamity. Grandparents from other areas should also be cautious. People here should learn to fight, survive and save others from disaster from today for their golden tomorrow.
Keep these things in mind for preparation:
1. Emergency bag: Start keeping an 'emergency bag' in your home where everyone can easily find it. In such a bag, keep light and small items (such as bandages, essential medicines, water, dry food, some cash, etc.) that are very necessary during an emergency.
2. Small Savings: Learn to save today for tomorrow's disaster. Even if we collect only 1 rupee daily, how much amount will be collected in one year in Nepal? Do you calculate yourself here?
3. Study and Discussion: Start studying what climate change is and how it is affecting us. Discuss such issues with each other and move forward in spreading awareness.
These are some initial tasks that you can do yourself.
13 thousand and 95 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, who were affected by the disaster until a few moments ago, have been rescued.
We should all say our heartfelt thanks to the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal and other expert teams who worked day and night in this rescue without risking their lives.
During this disaster, Nepalis living abroad, friendly countries and development partner organizations have also provided great support. We should also be grateful to them.
The language of calamity is doom and gloom, but in times of crisis we must act with the spirit of unity, harmony and brotherhood in mind.
Shri Krishna has also said that in times of struggle and calamity, one should not give up or be depressed. One should proceed with patience, duty and unity. We don't stop.
Come, let us all face this disaster together and build a safe and bright Nepal.
