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]

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!

Endosulfan usage in India: map with statistics

Endosulfan usage in India as per survey conducted in the year 2007

Voice of Keralam has obtained a copy of a map which shows Endosulfan usage distribution in India in the year 2007.

As observed in the map, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and part of West Bengal use more than 1000 kilolitres of Endosulfan. Also, states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana amongst others use 500-100 Kilolitres of Endosulfan. 
 

This clearly shows Endosulfan usage in India is spread across various geographical areas of the country. However, the victims reported have been largely in the state of Kerala, which has virtually no Endosulfan usage across the state. This leaves a lot unanswered in term of the current debate on the insecticide and poses difficult questions to those who have called for a blanket ban of the molecule across the country and the world. 

What do you feel about these findings?  Do you think there is more to the “endosulfan poising’ story in India?

Endosulfan not to be blamed for disease says Chittor, Kerala MLA , K Achutan

In this video, Honorable MLA, Mr. K Achutan corroborates Voice of Keralam in stating very openly that the reported victims in  Muthalamada district of Kerala, which have been raked up by the media, blaming Endosulfan for the diseases, deaths and deformities are in fact not true and cannot be trusted. Mr. Achutan also voices his concern that pictures and images featured by the media, of poor children, are not correct and are influencing people against Endosulfan. 





Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) K Achuthan, Chittor district, Kerala has stated that the diseases of the children of Muthalamada are thought not to be due to the use of endosulfan and added that much of it is media hype. In this interview he states that what the media is claiming as deaths and disease of victims cannot be attributed to Endosulfan and he will not support it. Endosulfan is being used for decades in India. By showing pictures and images of poor and helpless children which are widely used by the media, is actually influencing people. He also says that the there is a Christian missionary school nearby which has children with deformities, but it does not mean that they are also affected by Endosulfan.  It is a wrong claim by the media and he cannot support it. Mr. Achutan calls for a proper investigation into the matter. 

In our earlier posts, 'Endosulfan ban aimed to destroy India exports' and  'Vested interests demand Endosulfan ban' we had suspected that there is more to this issue than what meets the eye and what is reported in the media about 'Endosulfan victims' in Kerala. 

Is this India's famed fourth estate which is supposed to uphold the highest level of moral authority and ascribe to the highest level of objectivity before reporting on any issue?


After the expose of Nira Radia tapes and 2G telecom controversy, by OPEN Magazine, there seems to be no reason for the Indian polity to place their belief in the Mainstream Media. 

True victims of Endosulfan: Workers & Farmers of India

Workers rally in Bhavnagar opposes ban on Endosulfan

Video of Workers in Bhavnagar, Gujarat who held a rally to oppose the proposed ban on Endosulfan.

Workers employed in Endosulfan manufacturing plants in two states of India, Gujarat and Kerala, have opposed the suggested ban on Endosulfan in India. On November 17 2010, a delegation of senior Endosulfan workers led by Former President of BJP Gujarat unit and prominent BJP Leader Rajendra Rajendra Singh Rana and Mrs. Vibhavari Dave, local leader and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), from Bhavnagar, Gujarat submitted a memorandum to the district collector’s office in Bhavnagar to withdraw the NIOH report calling for ban of Endosulfan.

For more see India section on Endosulfan Wikipedia page [Endosulfan - Wikipedia page]

HIL workers at Kerala Endosulfan plant seek probe into NIOH study: Kochi, Kerala

HIL Endosulfan Workers Rally in Kochi, Kerala (representation)

Kochi, Kerala December 17, 2010:

Endosulfan was manufactured and used for more than 50 years across the world and continues to be in use in many countries without any ill effects to humans or environment. Endosulfan has proved to be harmless to beneficial insects and pollinating agents such as honey bees etc. It is among the top five insecticides in the world. In relation to Endosulfan's use inside India the workers argued that Endosulfan would have shown its harmful effects elsewhere in India as it is extensively used across the country on crops such as cotton, sugarcane, spices, vegetables, fruits, etc. Millions of Indian farmers have been using Endosulfan for over 35 years and continue to use it as it has been cost effective and safe.

Speaking during the dharna, one of the workers' representatives pointed out that Kerala had stopped use of Endosulfan in 2002 and it is strange that the harmful effects were brought to light only recently. Endosulfan was sprayed across 10000 acres of Cashew crops throughout Kerala, prior to the ban - had Endosulfan been the cause of physical problems inside Kasargod, the Kerala state should have witnessed similar cases elsewhere as well.

The workers' representatives added that studies conducted by Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad, Achuthan Commission, Kerala Agriculture University, IMA, Dubey Committee have concluded of no linkage between use of Endosulfan and the reports of health problems to the use of Endosulfan on the health problems reported at the Kasargod district of Kerala. All these studies have been conducted as recently as in the last eight years. It is their demand that, rather than ensuing a new study on the pesticide Endosulfan, it will be relevant to seek an independent investigation into the flaws observed in the study which was released by the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH).

The NIOH study was adopted by NGOs for propaganda against the generic pesticide Endosulfan since year 2002. To prove this point, the workers demanded that their blood samples be tested to validate against the published findings in NIOH report. The workers also made observations that the campaign against Endosulfan led by environmental NGOs like Thanal is suspect on their motives in the backdrop of studies conducted by other bodies. Based on unscientific approach, the demands made by local NGOs should not be taken into account for considering such a serious decision affecting our country's agriculture and food security.

There are over 6000 workers employed in the manufacturing of Endosulfan in various plants of India and 400 of these workers are employed in the HIL plant.

H/T Business Standard Story [Link]