Calamity Tourism

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 3: The foot-in-mouth disease has been the bane of many a politician, its latest victim being tourism minister Prafulla Samal.
The minister has shot his mouth off suggesting that the floods which have claimed more than 41 lives in the state, apart from leaving thousands homeless, could be a unique tourism promotion opportunity.
Samal sought to dress up his brainwave as "calamity tourism" saying that tourists from abroad could come and see what a flood was like. The minister's statement has drawn angry reactions not only from the opposition, but also from some of his own party leaders. "Only a man devoid of self respect can make such a statement. He has made fun of lakhs of people reeling from the floods. If he wants to promote tourism there are other ways," said Samal's party colleague and former agriculture minister Damodar Rout.
Rout also recalled the minister having said that tourists could also have a look at the flood-hit people taking shelter on the embankments of the Mahanadi river. "What can be more ridiculous? Should we allow foreigners to see our men and women semi-clad and going without food," asked Rout.
Former minister and senior BJP leader Biswabhushan Harichandan said: "This is highly inappropriate. The minister should not have made such a statement at a time when the government should try and ameliorate the plight of the victims."
State Congress president Niranjan Patnaik said the minister had callously poked fun at the flood victims by trying to sell their misery.
Samal, however, sought to defend his idea saying that the concept of tourism had undergone a major change in the recent times.
"I have floated an idea which ought to be debated. My suggestion should be seen in the right context," he said, pointing that there were villages in the Subarnrekha delta, which experienced floods year after year, but people have refused to move out as they love their roots much more than they fear calamities such as floods.
"This is something many outside may not be aware of. This is something to be seen and believed," he said.
Referring to new concepts such as rural tourism and ethnic tourism, Samal said there was nothing wrong in debating the pros and cons of introducing "calamity tourism". "Let's look at it in a positive way," he said.
Opposition leaders such as state BJP president Jual Oram are, however, far from convinced. Oram said the minister's statement was not only ridiculous, but also insult to the flood victims.
More than 27 lakh people have been hit by the calamity forcing the state government to seek financial assistance to the tune of Rs 3,265 crore from the Centre rehabilitation and reconstruction work.

Such a perverted mind!!
Reminds me of the Romans watching the slaves being fed to the lions and people invited to watch.
I would suggest that the minister, Praful Samal, be beaten up and while he is writhing in pain, foreign tourist be invited to come and watch how ministers writhe in pain