The phrase ‘going down the drain’ has found new meaning in the manner in which the Haryana government has chosen to interpret it. How else would you describe its generous dole of Rs 2 lakh and free education for little Prince, the kid who had a ‘nation praying’ when he fell down a 60-ft borewell pit last week? The successful rescue operation by the army made for euphoric celebrations, not least goaded on by a hyper-active media. The government will also spend Rs 20 lakh for the development of Prince’s village, and the army has handed over a provisional recruitment letter to the boy. Does that mean other kids who have fallen into drains and can ‘prove’ they survived a draining experience can claim compensation too — or, at the very least, free education beyond primary school that is ‘free’ anyway?
It may be an ungracious thought, but Rs 22 lakh seems a reasonable amount to ensure that borewell pits and manholes are not left uncovered. Or is that too gigantic a task for governments to handle? Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda does seem to have a point of view on such matters — he lauded the ‘spirit’ of the village that hauled Prince out of the depths. The CM clearly wasn’t watching the news when the rescue finally took place, for the armyman in charge said he faced just one problem — the animated crowds hampering the rescue mission and endangering a possible caving-in of the pit.
So, for little Prince, ‘going down the drain’ may have proved a blessing in disguise. As for the government, it has demonstrated that there are more ways than one of falling down a chute. Too bad the TV channel that broke the news wasn’t also given a princely sum for their public service to the nation.