THE PRIEST

India’s expert handling of relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding in the two natural calamities that hit the country last year has earned it this year’s New Frontiers Award. India saw twin tragedies last year. Heavy floods and landslides devastated its northern state of Uttarakhand in June, with a cyclone causing significant fatalities on its east coast barely five months later.  Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director at Reed Travel Exhibitions, presented the award of recognition to the Indian contingent during a special session at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on 7th May 2014. The award was received by Shri Devinder Singh, Economic Advisor to India’s Ministry of Tourism and Shri P.K. Ashok Babu, Deputy Consul General / Acting Consul General of India in the UAE.  The New Frontiers Award was launched in 2005 to recognize outstanding contribution to tourism development in the face of overwhelming adversity. Contributing to the recovery process, the recipient of the award, India ...

Almost a week ago landslides and heavy rain hit Uttarakhand having disastrous effect on the state. As soon as the disaster hit the state , the NDRF , Army and ITBP came into action to rescue the victims of flood. In initial phase when weather was hostile the rescue efforts were hampered due to the weather condition . But still these forces kept on doing whatever they can do. And as soon as the weather cleared out these forces increased their efforts to the maximum possible level. Due to hostile terrain and high level of damages apart from weather condition obviously it was not possible to rescue everyone at one go . So , along with clear weather came media and almost every single electronic media claimed that they have correspondents everywhere , specially at those places where rescue teams have not reached. And the first thing they will show that people are hungry , sick waiting for being rescued. It is justified that it is the media's duty to bring to people the condition ...