Need to connect reality of Narmada with Kerala experience: NBA

By A Representative
Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), India’s top anti-dam organization, has said that a major reason for Kerala floods was, water from 35 dams had to be discharged, affecting about 20 lakh people in 14 districts of the state. Estimating a loss of Rs 50,000 crore worth of public property, NBA in a statement added, “This horrific crisis of Kerala has once again brought the relationship between the dam and the flood onto the national platform.”
Pointing out that though rain to the tune of 3,000mm took place 1924, the tragedy of such immense proportion did not take place, NBA recalls, recently, the floods in Uttarakhand got accelerated because of the upstream dams. The same thing, it adds, happened during Surat floods in Gujarat because of release in water from the Ukai dam.
Seen in this context, NBA says, there is a need to “connect the reality of Narmada with the experience of Kerala”, wondering whether the authorities would understand how dark are the dark clouds hovering over Narmada. NBA says, while undertaking construction of the Narmada dam, “No scientific planning was undertaken by the Narmada Valley Development Authority and the Narmada Control Authority.”

Comments

The making of a self-made woman: How eighty sheep changed everything for Kalawati Ninama

By Vikas Meshram* About forty-two kilometres from Rajasthan's Banswara district, in the tribal heartland of Ghatol block, lies the small village of Ubapana. This is where Kalawati Ninama, her husband Dhulji, and their four children make their home. Their days unfold much like those of their neighbours—bustling mornings, long hours of farm labour through the afternoon, and evenings spent tending livestock. For this family, farming and livestock were once simply a means of putting food on the table. Today, they have become the sturdy foundation of something far greater: genuine self-sufficiency.

India has spent billions on skilling. Where are the jobs?

By Vikas Gupta India loves the photograph of a certificate ceremony. A minister on a stage. A banner bearing the word “skill.” Young people holding folders that promise a future. It is a reassuring image because it tells us the problem has a manageable answer: train the young, make them job-ready, and work will follow.

BAPS, the Eiffel Tower and the curious silence on secularism

By Rajiv Shah I was a little surprised to see how some of those whom I respect for taking a firm stand on patriarchal issues reacted to the manner in which they responded to the recent incident in Paris, in which women employees of the Eiffel Tower were asked to remain "invisible" on September 5 when 100 BAPS sadhus visited one of the world's top tourist destinations.

Counterview

Search This Blog