Wish you a Happy Harthal !

Wish you a Happy Harthal !

Annu Mathew

 

With an unprecendented record of two harthals in three days, the official machinery of Thiruvananthapuram was slowed down quite a bit this week. As work is gradually put back on track towards the second half of the week, some Keralites pondered about the reality that stared them in the face. Many of us have already expressed our dissatisfaction to being subjected to the whims and fancies of different political parties.

            The KSRTC alone suffered a loss of 5.5 crores as a result of the two harthals. It is quite apparent that vote bank politics is also playing behind these so-called measures to better our democracy. But what about the common man caught up in these issues? What about the huge losses incurred by the state as a result of suspending work for two whole days in the city of Anantha.

            The student community also has its woes. “One does get a surprise holiday during strikes. Sometimes it feels good to take a day’s break from studies but in the long run it is quite harmful to our academic pursuits” says Nandu Gopakumar, a 1st year student of PCA at Government College, Karyavattom. The many harthals and strikes that take place every year make it hard for the teachers to complete their syllabus and ultimately it is the students who suffer.

            “Western countries did not progress by conducting harthals” is the fervent opinion of Nimisha P.J. a B.tech student at the University Engineering College, Karyavattom. “I do not think that harthals provide a real solution to any problem. It is merely a farce to hoodwink the public.” On being asked if she knows the reason for the latest harthal, Nimisha stops to think for a while and finally answers that it is the petrol price hike. In fact, there are too many harthals every year that most people don’t bother to keep track of the reasons behind it.

            Meanwhile Arun V. Ananthan who aspires to clear the UGC-NET examination points out some practical difficulties, “Each time a political party decides to call a strike or harthal, students like me are affected. I struggle to pay for my coaching classes and hence can not afford to miss them due to some political gimmicks. Unfortunately I have also witnessed people suffering on harthal days because of medical emergencies and the like.”

            Around the globe oil prices will continue to climb in the coming months. This appears inevitable. But since the commoner already has to put up with this problem, why harass him with harthals, bandhs and strikes.