How NGO's are working against India

How Kerala NGO's are canvassing at COP5 to vote against India in the issue relating to endosulfan. The following e-mail was circulated to COP5 members with press clippings and reports of Indian media showing a fasting Kerala Chief Minister. Are NGO's views beyond a Nation's Views? Is Achuthanandan's publicity justified? 

QUOTE

"Dear friend,

Greeting from Kerala!

While am writing this the chief minister on behalf of the state of Kerala
had lead protest today at various places in the state and the day was marked
as Anti-Endosulfan day (25 April 2011). When thousands of People are
protesting in the small state of Kerala in India against Endosulfan, I feel
this news should also reach people far and wide.
The attachments are news from one of the leading English daily ' The Hindu'
over the past few days about the happening in the state inspite of the
campaign against Endosulfan hasn't yielded any result for a national
decision to ban Endosulfan  has fall in the deaf years of people who are
responsible to ban this in our country.

How can we remain silent when this deadly chemical has end the life of
hundreds and have made life impossible for many more in Kasargod, North
Kerala. Let us do what ever possible to ban this deadly chemical when the
issue comes up for review by the committee of parties of Stockholm
convention happening right now by raising our voice.

Delegates from India would take a pro- endosulfan stand fore sure , so
please forward this to as many as possible and to anyone you may know would
be participating in the Stockholm convention presently, to let them know
that these are the voices from the place where it is worst hit by this
deadly posion.

In solidarity with the victims of Endosulfan from Kasargod District, Kerala
Deepak Dayanandan Kerala India"

Does it suit them to indulge in such activities? Sitting their with foreigners and opposing your own country?

Decide for yourself!

Endosulfan pesticide victims: Different figures, Similar lies?

ENDOSULFAN VICTIMS : HOW MANY ARE THERE REALLY?

For quite some time, we have been reading some interestingly absurd stuff about the curious case of Endosulfan.  All the claims vested groups do not tally at all with the others.  The other surprise, there is no credible source mentioned for any of these figures. Neither is there any sort of proof, which states that Endosulfan is harmful and causes deformities.

Voice of Keralam, a seeker of underlying truth in the blinding noise, compares number of endosulfan victims as mentioned in the public domain. Following are actual reports of endosulfan victims as mentioned by various media reports and other sources. How can there be such a wide discrepancy in alleged number of endosulfan victims.  

Daily News & Analysis DNA:
Scammed in the name of economic growth and science
Thursday, December 23, 2010 

DNA reports endosulfan pesticide victims at 1000 death

Alleged Endosulfan pesticide victims:
•    1000 killed, 10000 suffering from deformities and disorders in Kerala
•    Source quoted in the story: None
•    Location:  Kerala

Economic Times
Kerala endosulfan victims allege 'state terrorism'
23 NOV, 2010 

ET story reports Endosulfan pesticide victims at 500 deaths

  Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:
•    500 Killed, 8000-9000 affected
•    Source quoted in the story: Anti-Endosulfan Committee, Kasargod, Kerala
•    Location: Kasargod, Kerala



The Hindu
2,836 Endosulfan victims identified
December 29, 2010

The Hindu reports endosulfan victims at 2836 affected

Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:

• 2,836 in 11 panchayats of Kasargod (does not comment on casualties or deformities)   
• Source quoted in the story: Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan in Kerala assembly
• Location: Kasargod, Kerala 

Pesticide Action Network (PANNA)
An International NGO, anti-pesticides, working in Kerala to help alleged endosulfan victims Another cluster of endosulfan-induced illness in India
Mon, 2011-01-03

PANNA reports endosulfan victims at 46
and hundreds more

 Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:

• 46 officially reported, but NGOs suspect there are hundreds more  
• 174 families affected as per researchers
• Source quoted in the story: researchers, official estimate, NGOs
• Location: Kasargod, Kerala

Business Standard
Endosulfan use continues as government fails to enforce ban
December 1, 2010

Business Standard story reports endosulfan victims
as 150 deaths

 Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:

• 150 deaths & 5000 people affected in Kasargod district, Kerala    
• 27 affected in Idduki district, Tamil Nadu  
• Source quoted in the story: Unofficial estimates
• Location: Kasargod, Kerala. Idduki district, Tamil Nadu  

  The Daily Pioneer:
Kerala package for Endosulfan victims
 January 07, 2011

The Daily Pioneer reports endosulfan pesticide
victims as 500 deaths

Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:

• 500 deaths
• 2836 affected  
• Source quoted in the story: Kerala government  
• Location: Kasargod, Kerala

 
 The Deccan Herald
Kerala Govt unveils relief package for endosulfan victims
November 23, 2010

The Deccan Herald reports endosulfan pesticide
victims as 486 deaths

Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:

• 486 deaths
• Source quoted in the story: Kerala Government 
• Location: Kasargod, Kerala

The Hindu
Compensation promised to Endosulfan victims
Wednesday, Nov 10, 2010

The Hindu reported endosulfan victims
as 300 in Nov 2010

Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:

• 300 deaths, of which 176 were compensated
• Source quoted in the story: Kerala Government 
• Location: Kasargod, Kerala  

These findings lead us to ask only one question, what the actual number is of alleged “endosulfan pesticide victims” in Kasargod, Kerala. There seems to be some kind of confusion in the esteemed minds of leading   media houses on the factual numbers in this case.

Some may say, that as time has gone by, more victims have been identified or the government numbers are on the conservative side or higher side depending how you may choose to see it. But, here’s the real deal, the citizens of India deserve to know the truth. And truth cannot be based on hearsay, unofficial estimates, researchers, concerned NGOs, and the likes. Let the truth be told by scientific bodies and people who understand the implications of such an issue rather then every armchair critic looking to have a say, just for the sake of being heard.

The Indian citizen is vigilant and cognizant to the fact that he or she has been hoodwinked before by the same vested interests masquerading as “concerned parties” to promote their own agenda.

Let truth prevail! Satyameva Jayate!

Vested interests demand Endosulfan ban: PMFAI

Vested interests in demanding ban on endosulfan: PMFAI

We observed this update from Press Trust of India (PTI) today on Wednesday, December 22, 2010. Voice of Keralam has been a staunch supporter of farmers and workers in India. The recent Endosulfan controversy and public calls to ban Endosulfan, an immensely useful insecticide did not go down well with us, after we looked into the real scientific facts and data. This story validates that Voice of Keralam is the true voice of the people of God's own country. We will continue to watch development on Endosulfan as they unfold and ensure that the truth is presented in its originality from all sides, to give cut through the noise and bring you the reality.       

   

New Delhi: Domestic pesticide makers today said that the demand for banning endosulfan pesticide in India is being driven by vested interests of Multinational firms.

"The demand for banning Endosulfan in India, is motivated by the vested interest of European pesticide makers, who are interested in promoting their patented products in the country," Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) President Pradeep Dave told reporters here.

European companies, which have vested business interests are lobbying for imposing an international ban on endosulfan as the ban would create a market for their products in the third world countries, he said.

Endosulfan Workers oppose ban.
Endosulfan is being used for the last 50 years
in India with no negative health effects.
The replacement pesticide will be at least
10 times costlier than Endosulfan. 

Dave added that endosulfan is being used in the country for the last 50 years and there has been no such scientific records available, which indicate that the use of this chemical has resulted into serious health hazards of any kind.

International Stewardship Centre, an NGO working for chemical industry, said that replacing endosulfan with any other chemical would be at least 10 times costlier for the Indian farmers.

"A litre of endosulfan costs Rs 250 to Indian farmers whereas any chemical manufactured by multinational would cost more than Rs 2,500 per litre thus making the use of pesticides 10 times costlier," International Stewardship Centre Chairman R Hariharan said.

He said that India is the largest producer, user and exporter of endosulfan. The total market in India for the pesticide is around USD 60 million and the country exports around another USD 40 million worth endosulfan. 

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)

H/T India Reports [India Reports | Vested interests in demanding ban on endosulfan: PMFAI ]