Abhay Jeet Singh Akela
This year, Himachal Pradesh witnessed a monsoon seen like never before. From June 15 when the monsoon hit Himachal, the sky has not stopped pouring misery.
Orange and red are no longer just colours on the weather map, but are warnings of fear and despair. We have lost lives, homes, animals and roads; entire livelihoods have been washed away. And yet, the one thing that survives is our indomitable Himachali spirit. But this spirit too often finds itself overshadowed by neglect and lack of support.
The devastation was not confined to Himachal alone as neighbouring Jammu, Punjab and Uttarakhand too faced nature’s fury. But unlike Himachal, their stories were seen, heard and amplified. Social media was flooded with solidarity: from celebrities like Diljit Dosanjh and Karan Aujla to NRIs and the Punjabi diaspora — the world stood with Punjab. Leaders made visits, images went viral and the narrative found global attention.
In stark contrast, Himachal’s cries were drowned in silence. No heartfelt tweets from actors Preity Zinta, Kangana Ranaut or Anupam Kher. No influential campaigns. No urgency. While Punjab received empathy and presence, Himachal was left to the mercy of God.
Politics added salt to our wounds. Debates over declaring Himachal a disaster-affected state became a tug of war in the Assembly and rallies outside the state were given preference at the time of disaster back home. Yes, we need funds and we need them urgently. But even if they come, will they reach those in read need? Will they heal the grieving parents who lost their children in landslides?
Himachal today stands as a living example of the saying: “Kangali mein atta geela (misfortune upon misfortune).” Yet, amid the wreckage, hope flickers. All we ask is to be seen, to be heard and to be helped — not as a forgotten hill state, but as a land of people who have given their all to the nation, and who now need the nation’s shoulder in return.
I pray for Himachal, for its people and for the day when our voices are no longer drowned in the silence of neglect.
Abhay Jeet Singh Akela
(The writer is an advocate; views are personal)
