No one has taken Assam floods seriously: Adil Hussain
Assam is in a state of crisis as it is being ravaged by floods. An annual natural phenomenon, floods have claimed lives, crops, property in the north-eastern state time and again. As per Assam State Disaster Management Authority’s reports on July 19, 84 people have lost their lives and 2,400 villages devastated, taking the tally of total people affected to 25,29,312.
Actor Adil Hussain, whose home town is in Assam, says,“I don’t think anyone has taken it (the situation) seriously. All the governments since Independence... I don’t think anyone has bothered about it. There were quick-fixes, but no research [which I know of] has been done. The flood happens every year, at the same time, and the volume of water is almost the same. Even after that if we say we do not have a solution for it, I feel we are either lying or not trying hard.”
Hussain, 56, hails from Goalpara, and his mother still lives there. Despite being in a high-lying area, their house faces the threat of rising flood waters. “My family is still in a better position, but imagine the situation of the poor people and animals. They have so little and everything, including their papers, is washed away,” the English Vinglish (2012) and Delhi Crime actor shares, talking from his home in Delhi. But people’s resilience is what sees them through. “People have learned how to live with extreme difficulties,” he adds.
A lack of awareness about the North East and a “chalta hai” outlook is what Hussain feels contribute to apathy among the authorities and the people. “During floods, the animals from Kaziranga National Park cross over to higher lands, and in between is the national highway (NH 37). It is adjacent to Brahmaputra River... How can you build a national highway there? It does not take rocket science to understand this,” he rues.
Assam floods, this time, have been put on the global map, thanks to the tweets by international football clubs Arsenal and Chelsea. Some people from Bollywood, too, are voicing their concern. “Randeep (Hooda) is constantly in touch, trying to find out how the river behaves, and is talking to people. Richa Chadha and Rahul Dev are helping. Some directors have also come forward,” he says, adding, “It is about creating awareness. It doesn’t take much; it is the intention that counts. I don’t know how the posts by Arsenal and Chelsea will pan out in the long run, but it is on the world map now. It is wonderful to hear from people who can create public opinion about an issue which has existed for 70 years. You expect certain people to speak, so I was disappointed when it didn’t happen.”
It is about creating awareness. It doesn’t take much... It’s wonderful to hear from people who can create public opinion. ADIL HUSSAIN ACTOR