Wayanad (Kerala), Feb 28 (PTI) Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday expressed pride that all parties had done their best to fulfill their promises to provide necessary help and support to the survivors of the Chooralmala-Mundakkai tragedy.
Vadra was speaking on the occasion of handing over 51 houses, built by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) at Vellithode, to the survivors. The landslide claimed over 200 lives and destroyed hundreds of homes in July 2024.
She said that 54 more houses are being constructed there by the IUML, along with a prayer hall, a playground for children, and a community centre, and praised them for doing “a better job” than the Congress, which was only beginning construction work.
Vadra told her party colleagues and workers that they face stiff competition from the League and should complete their houses very soon.
She also praised the League and its volunteer organisation, White Brigade, for the work they did following the landslides.
The Congress MP said that at most disaster sites she had visited over the years, she had seen only chaos and confusion, but in the Chooralmala-Mundakkai area, she saw “an organised and efficient effort” to help and support those who were suffering.
She noted that the IUML’s volunteer organisation was mobilised even before government efforts began.
Vadra further said that usually people affected by such tragedies are devastated, but “it was rare for us to see the kind of resilience, courage, and strength the people of Wayanad have shown us.” She said that while nothing and no one can give back to the survivors what they lost in the disaster, the new houses would hopefully provide them “a sense of shelter, safety, and comfort.” “These [houses] are our way of showing that we are with you until each one of you rebuilds your life and moves on,” she said.
Earlier in the day, Vadra had visited the township being built for the Wayanad victims and expressed satisfaction with the rehabilitation housing project. “I am happy to see that so much work has been done. It looks to me like the quality of at least the house I have seen is good,” she told reporters.
When asked about financial assistance from the Centre, Vadra said the central government had not been forthcoming in extending support, despite Congress leaders raising the matter in Parliament, writing to the PM, and meeting the home minister along with other MPs from Kerala.
“The Centre has not been forthcoming, both in funds and in the fact that we had very much wanted them to declare this a national disaster, which was not done,” she said.
“Fortunately, through our efforts and meeting with the home minister, we were able to get it at least declared a disaster of severe nature. But it is a fact that on the Centre’s part, they have not been forthcoming,” Vadra added.
On being asked why she and other Congress MPs did not give money to the state government for rehabilitation work, she said it was felt more important to provide help to the victims by building homes for them.
“We are all contributing to that. Everybody has raised funds, contributed to different aspects of relief work and rehabilitation work, and I think that’s fine,” she said.
During the day, she also visited the Perikallur-Bairakuppa bridge project, which is designed to connect Wayanad in Kerala with Karnataka across the Kabini River.
After visiting the site, she told reporters she would do everything possible to ensure the project becomes a reality.
She also said that a new proposal has been made to complete the bridge construction by avoiding forest areas in Karnataka, and she will work closely with the government in the neighbouring state to speed up the process.
The Congress MP also held an informal discussion with tribal education activists and researchers on the problems and ways forward in the field of tribal education.
She said development activities for tribals should respect their sense of identity and cultural characteristics.
Vadra also said that tribal children can be attracted to education only if they have the opportunity to study in their mother tongue at the school level. PTI HMP SSK
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