Chikungunya and other vector-borne diseases are ravaging our district taking toll on the life of thousands of poor people. But the authorities are trying to underplay the seriousness of the actual situation and have so far done only cosmetic measures to contain the diseases, without trying to find out why this has happened and how to root it out completely from the coastal districts. It is time everyone including the authorities realise that, man and nature are inter-dependent, and we all must show our gratitude to nature for taking loving care of us.