18 WOMEN DIE IN PAKISTAN FOOD STAMPEDE

18 WOMEN DIE IN STAMPEDE FOR FREE FLOUR
AND OTHER SUPPLIES HANDED OUT AS CHARITY

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) – At least 18 women and girls died when a crowd waiting for handouts of flour swelled and panicked in an impoverished city in southern Pakistan, officials said. The stampede in Karachi came during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a traditional time for charitable acts including giving away food. At times, however, the giveaways have turned rowdy and dangerous. The stampede occurred in a small building with narrow passages. As more women entered to get the flour, some panicked and guards used strong-arm tactics to clear the building, officials and witnesses said.

Most of the victims had been suffocated, in the ensuing rush, as they crowded into a building to collect flour and other supplies being handed out as charity. Panicked relatives streamed into the hospital, while others brought limp bodies in the backs of trucks or in their arms. Some women who were waiting to get free flour, wailed while laying on stretchers. "Poverty is on the rise, there is a desperation among people," a local government official said, "Naturally, when people are frustrated, whenever they get such an opportunity, they try to grab the maximum."

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

The fact is that in this material world there is no scarcity of anything except Krishna consciousness. Material necessities are supplied by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. We sometimes feel scarcity because of our mismanagement, but the real problem is that people are out of touch with Krishna consciousness.

Srila A.C. BV Swami Prabhupada:
"Śrī Caitanya Caritāmrita - Ādi-līlā - Purport in Chapter 3 - Verse 97"

The best award to common people is to awaken in them self-realization by the mercy of the Holy Names of the Lord. Under the transcendental influence of such a practice, the root cause of all material distress of the suffering masses is eradicated with the least effort. ... In fact there is no dearth of universal love and brotherhood in the matter of love Lord Sri Krsna, inasmuch as a single fraction of a coin is truly in existence within the huge amount of money adding to crores or billions. Universal brotherhood, patriotism etc. are all present in full existence within love for Sri Krsna.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura:
"Upakhyane Upadesa: Is There Any Pleasure and Sacrifice in Devotion?"