Does number do magic for death

We are in a habit of crying on spilled milk. Proactive prevention has never been our forte. What our apathy may cost, in life, has been manifested in Bhopal Gas tragedy, but still we refuse to correct ourselves. The country is outraged over the governments and factory owners indifference and collusion, demanding for their neck. What has been the check-mate move of the activist is the number of casualty. Some casually remark as 15,000 life lost and some do not mind reporting 25000. The number variation is beyond logic.

Is the importance of life counted in numbers. We are so used to daily casualty figures in two digit numbers in newspapers that unless three digit figure appear it does not catch our attention. Ask the person who has lost his dear and near ones. Every death is death for a while of the whole family of five (average) and permanent damage to some in them. If given a try, it is damn tough task to help make one life worth living. But, hardly our heads turn twice on hearing death of one.

Todays news reported 'One more petrol pump caught fire in Bhopal'. Last year, luckily, major casualty was saved in an accident when one petrol pump had caught fire in the heart of city, next to busiest market of the capital. What precautions are we taking. When are the corrective agencies wake up to the call and ensure adherence to guidelines. It is an irony that Bhopal is reeling under protests against Gas tragedy verdict, and not much has been written against this accident. Let us not wait to gather only when numbers stimulate our senses. We want safe and quality life, and the concerned agencies is bound to give that to us.