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 and media inaccuracy in reporting

Press Trust of India (PTI) has filed a story today titled “No objection to Karnataka endosulfan ban: Pawar” which is widely covered across websites and heatedly debated on twitter. The headline of the story seems to suggest that Union Agriculture Minster Mr. Sharad Pawar has condoned the embargo on usage of endosulfan in the state announced by the Government of Karnataka on February 17 2011. [Deccan Chronicle story]

For a student of media, this is a classic example of how ‘the pen is mightier than the sword‘when it comes to shaping public perception.

In the PTI story, the journalist mentions that

The Karnataka cabinet last week decided to ban use of endosulfan for a period of six months.

The fact is revealed in the statement by a member of Karnataka Government Cabinet –

 “It is a temporary ban for 60 days. Of course, we have appealed to the Centre for a permanent ban as early as possible,” minister for higher education V.S. Acharya said here on Thursday.

How “60 days temporary ban” becomes “ban use for six months” is a shocking display of misinformed reporting on behalf of PTI.

Further on, if you read the statements made by Mr. Sharad Pawar in the budget parliamentary session replying to supplementary questions, they are largely in favor of usage of endosulfan.

“..farmers in a number of states have said they have no problem in using endosulfan as it was giving good results.

Pawar said the government had set up four expert committees since 1991 and each one of them had recommended continued use of endosulfan.

To a question on ban in several countries on use of endosulfan, Pawar said the pesticide was being used in at least 40 countries, including Brazil, Australia and China.

The story does mention that Pawar said farmers have been advised against spraying of endosulfan on crops, particularly cashew-nut plantations. This is very strategically given as a concluding statement. But if you read the first half of the story –

However, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar attributed the disastrous consequences of the pesticide to aerial spraying of endosulfan which was against the guidelines.

So, ‘aerial spraying’ firstly, was not a standard operating procedure as a part of the guideline on endosulfan usage. Secondly, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to prove that the alleged victims in Kerala, Kasargod or Dakshin Karnataka are due to endosulfan usage, as admitted by Union Minister of Environment Mr. Jairam Ramesh in November 2010 -  [DNA: Ban on Endosulfan will have national implications: Jairam Ramesh - Story link]

Ramesh said that he has sought a proper epidemiological study and has asked the ministry for the cause of the death in the district. "We will look into all factors," he said.

This reeks of a concerted activity to misguide people, a misrepresentation of facts by the media or a genuine error by the journalist or desk editor at PTI.

Note: The Karnataka embargo on usage of endosulfan in the state is being appealed in the High Court by manufacturers of the product [Link]