Post tragedy, Shivraj rushes to Simhastha, plays 'chaiwala' to console devotees, seers

BHOPAL: The massive rainstorm which shook up an already perplexed district administration of Ujjain, prompted chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to reach the temple town during wee hours of Friday and console the affected people, with a cup of soothing tea, that normalcy has been restored.
Chouhan, a self-styled down-to-earth politician, was seen playing 'chaiwala' at Ujjain at dawn as, he served tea to the pilgrims - holding a teakettle at one of the relief camps - consoling them of a totally controlled situation.A good start is half done, as he took on the foot to take a stock of the situation.
Chouhan also assured the pilgrims that he would take care of everything, as he was reviewing the situation with the officials. He also convinced them of proper arrangements made by the administration so that families of victims and persons injured during natural calamity get proper attention.
Chouhan reached Ujjain at 4.30am from Sanjay Gandhi Tiger Reserve in Sidhi, where he was celebrating his 24th marriage anniversary with wife Sadhna Singh. But suddenly, hell broke loose when the temple town was struck by gusty winds and stormy rains, uprooting the tents and shanties of holy saints in just 45 minutes. Innocent devotees were killed, several injured, who were visiting the temple site, participating in 'parv snan' (holy bath) and 'panchkroshi yatra'.
"It was very painful, hard time for all of us as we never expected any untoward happening during Simhastha," said Chouhan. After hearing the news, Chouhan decided to leave for Ujjain, immediate at the midnight, and reached Jabalpur to catch a flight for Indore. Here from he travelled to Ujjain by road and reached Mangalnath ghat to review the loss.
"In this hour of crisis, I believe that devotion and belief will overcome the adversity and frustration," observed Chouhan. In less than three hours at the relief camps, ghats and hospitals, chief minister Chouhan reviewed power situation, civic amenities, care to injured, relief to victims and instructed officials of prompt action.
Finally, he announced that everything is under control as situation is limping back to normal. Though, he issued special instructions to restore the damaged property, erect new tents, provide food to saints and make necessary arrangements for pilgrims, he was confident that pilgrims reaching Ujjain will not face hardships now.
In the morning Chouhan sighed a relief and tweeted, "Pilgrims are back for 'parv snan'. I am overwhelmed by their simplicity and belief in tradition." He also posted some pictures of devotees taking holy dip in the river Kshipra at the daybreak.
Throughout the day, relief and rescue work to put things in order carried on in the affected areas, primarily Mangalnath, Datt Akhara and other ghats, where pilgrims in large turnout reached for a 'holy dip’. "We have managed things in nearby districts too. Pilgrims arriving Ujjain were cautioned, stopped at their locations so that normalcy be restored. Large number of pilgrims staying in Maksi, Dewas, Shajapur, Indore and other nearby locations were provided food and boarding facilities during night," said a senior official.
The administrations has cautioned the pilgrims to be aware of rumours about overcrowing and mismanagement and follow officil directions in case of emergency.