NEW DELHI 11 JULY 2021 07

NOW AND AGAIN North American heatwave Hush after a storm a warning to the world TIRTHANKAR MITRA never did like to study. Small wonder, I never GOVIND SINGH AND let go any distraction that came my way ARMIN ROSENCRANZ using it as an excuse to leave my books behind. he recent heat wave in the Van- I So when a heated altercation broke out couver area of Canada killed beneath our window, I was all ears. scores of people. The ther- It was that time of my life when the stoop mometers in Canada hit almost below our window was a site where debates T50°C, breaking all past temperature broke out, sometimes to end in fisticuffs. It records. This abnormal increase in tem- was a time which the city had never gone perature is accompanied with an through earlier; nor had such times followed increase in the number of heat days. when parents worried whether their young Exposure to excessive heat for days son who had gone to college would return together has been fatal for many indi- home. viduals and disastrous for the affect- And it was under such a street light, ed communities. recently wrapped with red transparent paper The situation is not very differ- marking the electoral triumph of an ideology, ent in the adjoining United States. that the debate was raging. But the subject The US northwest is experiencing apparently had little to do with any ideas or record high temperatures to the ideology. extent that state authorities are set- The topic of hot debate were the merits ting up emergency “cooling shelters.” and shortcomings of a film released recently, The temperature in the city of Port- Sagina Mahato land reached a record high of 44.5°C. I heard the names of Dilip Kumar, the The unprecedented heat wave result- film’s principal protagonist and its director, ed in mass purchase of air condition- Tapan Sinha being loudly discussed. While ers and other cooling devices until one group was all praise for both men, the stores exhausted their stock. other was denouncing them for not portray- The intense heat wave in north- ing reality. west US and Canada is attributed to As the supporters of Kumar pointed out a heat dome-like condition created that it had indeed earned the people’s accep- by atmospheric high pressure. The tance, opponents were quick to say it was an heat dome keeps hot air trapped: escapist film. The intensity of heat depends on But I remained glued to the spot as the local factors as well as any back- increasing decibel levels down below was the ground warming. The US and Cana- perfect distraction from studies. But my inter- da are reeling under an extreme and est started to wane as accusations of being rare heat dome which is threatening opponents of the class struggle were hurled at the lives of many people, especially iStock Kumar and Sinha. those who are most vulnerable. measures to mitigate and adapt to the global environment is now clear. egates at the climate conference in measures must immediately be put I did not immediately discern a hush that Climate projections in the last climate change do not correspond In May 2021, a larger chunk of ice Glasgow later this year. in place. The US-Canadian heat descended on the slanging match. Just then a three decades have consistently to the pace with which change is calved from the Antarctic ice sheet More than 1,500 people lost wave has made it clear that the dele- quiet voice broke in. warned of extreme weather condi- happening. The warming of the and became the world’s largest float- their lives across Europe in the terious impacts of climate change “I have not seen the film; but you seem to tions and freak weather events. The planet is directly related to the ing iceberg. Named A-76, this ice- intense heat wave of 2003. If we don’t will not announce themselves before have overlooked that both the hero and the US-Canadian heat wave must there- increased concentration of green- berg is three times the size of Delhi. realize the importance of collective appearing. Preparation is the key director have portrayed their empathy for the fore be seen as a warning for all house gases in the atmosphere. The A-76 may not directly contribute to global cooperation in mitigating and and time is of the essence. common man,” the voice said. I saw the man nations. The heat wave has already global carbon dioxide concentration sea level rise, but it is certainly a haz- adapting to climate change, it will With climate change now in crumpled dhoti kurta before whom many created new temperature records in crossed the 400 ppm mark in 2013 ard to maritime trade. cost many more lives in the future. becoming a climate emergency, the in the locality genuflected. the US and Canada. This was pre- for the first time since measure- The 2021 US-Canadian heat The world needs to be united if we corporate sector must also play its His verdict prounounced about a thes- ceded by a record decline of the ments began in 1958. The global car- wave may not be a milestone event are serious about tackling climate part. The transition to a green econ- pian and an ace director, Ganesh Ghosh, the water level in the Hoover Dam, bon dioxide concentration is consis- for anthropogenic climate change. change. omy is not possible without the hero of the Chittagong armoury raid walked which is the US’s largest reservoir. tently rising and reached 416 ppm However, it should be seen as a glob- Within each nation, the US- active involvement of big oil and gas away. All was quiet once more. The US-Canadian heat wave is an by May 2021. al warning for all nations: To begin Canadian heat wave should serve as companies. Inaction is no longer an extreme weather event; the world 2020 was the warmest year on with, the US-Canadian heat wave a warning to prepare, improve and option. The fate of the present and 100 YEARS AGO must prepare to face more such record; 2021 will most likely replace makes it clear that all nations are adequately implement national and future generations is at stake. extreme events in the near future. it. Each passing year is breaking the vulnerable and must work together local actions plans for climate Climate change continues to be record of the previous year. The last to mitigate climate change. This change. This must take centre-stage The writers are, respectively, Associate GOVERNMENT SECURITIES Professor and Dean at Jindal School of the greatest challenge faced by seven years are the warmest seven message should resonate loud and in the functioning of all govern- Environment and Sustainability, O.P. Jindal To The Editor Of The Statesman humanity today. Unfortunately, years on record and their impact on clear now, and should alarm the del- ments. Climate change adaptation Global University, Haryana. SIR, - I read with a ray of hope the sug- gestive letter Now or Never in The Statesman POLITICAL DIARY | KALYANI SHANKAR on Government securities. As your corre- spondent rightly points out, most of the hold- ers of these securities are poor people, wid- ows and orphans, whose only income comes leader. Deo was promised that the in the shape of interest on these securities. I Congress struggles to contain dissent chief ministership would be on rota- know it from personal experience, as well as tion when Bhupesh Baghel was cho- otherwise, that most Indians who want to sen as the Chief Minister. Now, in the provide for their helpless relatives generally he Congress high command absence of any such possibility, Deo go to these securities as the safest possible faces a Hobson’s choice with refuses to come to Delhi. investment. The people in general till quite the growing political crises in The options before the Gandhis recently put implicit faith in them, and this the states ruled by the party are few. The Congress’ strategy in the popular faith was a great asset to the credit T– Punjab, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. past of having two warring leaders in side of the Government. I know of people who Internal quarrels have surfaced again top positions in a state has not have sold their houses with decent rentals in the three States. The dissidents are worked lately. Rajasthan is the only and invested their money, sometimes all they up in arms against the incumbent chief big state in the Congress kitty. Today had, in these securities as affording the safest ministers. Senior Congress leaders the party is ruling in Punjab, possible custody. The best thing for the Gov- are testing the patience of the high com- Rajasthan and Chattisgarh, and is a ernment would have been to allow the hold- mand. coalition partner in Jharkhand and ers to convert them into securities with high- Part of the crisis is created by Maharashtra. er interest. the Gandhi family itself. Former First of all, the family should stop SUNIT KUMAR TAGORE. Congress president Rahul Gandhi creating confusion in the rank and file Benares Cantonment. and his sister Priyanka Gandhi, who and stop working at cross purposes. is the general secretary, prefer to Secondly, unless the party goes to the SMOKING IN TRAMS have younger leaders as chief minis- polls showing a united face, it would To The Editor Of The Statesman ters and have zeroed in on Sachin be hard to retain the state in the SIR, - The Calcutta Tramway Company Pilot (Rajasthan) and Navjot Singh upcoming elections. So the first thing have a notice board fixed in all tram cars in Sidhu (Punjab). is to address this issue. which it is stated that “passengers are respect- The Congress has always Thirdly, even otherwise, the Con- fully requested to refrain from smoking in the believed in propping up dissidents gress has committees to coordinate two front rows of seats,” but from the number against chief ministers to keep them with the chief minister and the state of people frequently found smoking in these in check. A strong leader like Indira unit where it is in power. These com- seats, it is clear that the practice is allowed to Gandhi could get away with these mittees were used to keep the CMs continue unchecked. Practically every morn- tactics. But the weakened Congress committee set up to resolve the crisis lated for a month after being infect- muddy the waters for the party in under check. ing for the last six months I have happened to is unable to steamroll its will. had summoned Captain Amarinder ed by Covid. Punjab. The Chief Minister suggests Fourthly, of the five poll-bound occupy a front seat at the starting point of the While Rahul Gandhi is function- Singh to Delhi recently. The dissident Gehlot has been the most vocal that the party’s state chief should be a states - UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa Wellesley tram-car. Invariably I find before ing as the de facto Congress presi- legislators led by former cricketer supporter of the family and Hindu, as he and Sidhu are both Jat and Manipur - the Congress stands the car proceeds a hundred yards that a gen- dent taking decisions in the party, Navjot Singh Sidhu were also called remained steadfast in his devotion. Sikhs. the best chance in Punjab. Singh has tleman enters and in quite an unconcerned Priyanka Gandhi has become a crisis to Delhi. A peace formula was Leaders like the late Ahmed Patel The opposition in Punjab is handled the farmers’ agitation skilful- manner lights up a cigarette, a cigar or a pipe manager. It was she who intervened thrashed out. The captain is a strong also backed him to the hilt. weak. Akali Dal, the long-term ally of ly, supporting their demand but, at which he continues to smoke although he has last year to mollify dissident leader man and could stand up to the high The Captain is said to have told the BJP has severed its alliance last the same time, coordinating with the this notice staring him in the face all the way Sachin Pilot. The party worked out a command. It is Priyanka and Rahul the Gandhis that it is up to the fami- year on the farmer’s agitation and is Centre. But above all unless the top he travels. If the tramway company put up a formula that saved the situation who back Sidhu. ly to decide whether they want him planning to go it alone. In a multi-cor- leadership issue is not settled at the notice prohibiting smoking it is up to them to temporarily. But the chief minister Seeing all these, Rajasthan chief or Sidhu. Allowing Sidhu and the nered contest, the Congress is in a national level, the party will face trou- enforce it. has not implemented the formula. It minister Gehlot does not want to chief minister to continue their position to return if it tackles the cri- ble in key states. The Congressmen are A LADY NON-SMOKER. is no surprise that Pilot is losing face the humiliation of being sum- bickering in public would only harm sis. clueless about who is running the Calcutta. patience. moned to Delhi. He has found a con- the party. Appointing Sidhu as the TS Singh Deo, health minister party - the mother or the Gandhi sib- In Punjab, the three-member a venient way of keeping himself iso- state party chief would further from Chattisgarh, is another dissident lings. RAILWAYS AND COAL SUPPLIES To The Editor Of The Statesman CROSSWORD NO 28969 SIR, - I notice from the Eastern Bengal Railway Notice dated April 12 appearing in The Statesman of date that, in consequence of the short supply of coal by certain col- SOLUTION FOR 04 JULY ACROSS points (4) 4 Like The Onion, CIA trials collapsed (9) lieries, the running of one mail train, and 8 23 Carrying American, unfinished boat 5 The clergy's destiny lies in the 1 State proponents of aggressive passenger trains are to be cancelled on and possibly rolls (5) church (5) action styles (7) 25 Bishop on a weekend getaway (5) 6 Old man's weapons – they are from the 18th instant. The reduction of so 5 Murderer kidnaps prone officer (7) 27 Not a fan of short hill-dweller (3) needed for access (9) large a number of trains cannot help but seri- 9 Falsify papers for firm (5) 28 Type of craft pint, way behind bar (9) 7 A section expert (5) 10 Organised Sue tours a bridal store (9) ously inconvenience the travelling public. If 29 Gun man (5) 8 Newton should love (6) 11 Stan maybe rejected slippery supplies of coal contracted for from certain 30 President of Aruba corrupted in 15 OK, rip up my comic fast! (3,6) character (3) Milton Keynes (7) 17 Does Covid make you this crass? (9) collieries are not obtainable it ought to be 12 Deserving world leader and king in 31 Cherry pit allowed (7) 18 Ideal open air frolic in Holland (9) possible to purchase odd lots from collieries hot mess (5) 21 Crowded and comparatively friendly 13 With urge to fascinate (5) that have stocks, in order to maintain these DOWN (6) 14 Nasty bug lying concealed (4) services. If supplies of coal were not obtain- 1 Miracle realm built around Midhaven 22 Verify a dry zone in Georgia (6) 16 Cringe at sloppy serving (8) (6) 24 Cancel loser (5) able at all, but to curtail train services because 19 Incentive from drug carriers trading 2 Emphasise the extent of tall tale as 25 British capital deficit creates this supplies of coal cannot be obtained from cer- ecstasy for uranium – it's back to told by Spooner? (9) sort of market? (5) front (8) tain collieries seems to indicate that the 3 Opportunity to ditch name for 26 Character in Greek apparel (5) 20 Dispatched team leader after three authorities responsible for the maintenance surviving woman (5) they may cause the travelling public, by rea- son of their not purchasing other coal to keep the trains running. NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote the number of letters in the words required. (By arrangement with The Independent, London) SUFFERER. Calcutta.