Monday 27 January 2014

INDEFINITE STRIKE OF ENDOSULFAN AFFECTED MOTHERS AND CHILDREN COMMENCED AT THE CAPITAL CITY (published article based on MEET THE PRESS)

Trivandrum: There began an indefinite strike by the endosulfan affected


children and mothers so as to acquire their necessities at Devaswom Board junction, Nanthancode. It is the saga of centuries. Even words fail to convey the pathetic plight of children and mothers hailing from various places of the northern state of Kasargod. It is really incredible that people of God’s own country are afflicted with the fatal disasters of the poisonous endosulfan that was sprayed long back. Mothers face the misery of premature death and abortion.


 
Infertility has been identified a new disease in these localities. In one way or other, children born and brought up here are bated to multifarious problems. In order to fulfil their basic requirements, these children seek the aid of some one. Even children of eighteen and twenty years seem to have less physical growth. “They are not capable of responding to the circumstances. If something hurts them beyond their limit of toleration, they will burst out into tears so that we can comprehend that something ill has occurred” says Nalini, the mother of a twenty year old girl Dhanya.  One who is noticing or watching them for a few minutes can literally cry as their sight is capable of creating a torrential rain out of tears from the spectators.


Endosulfan affected children are dead living. It is not just an oxymoron usage but the harsh reality of manmade disasters that have been happening in this state of Kerala for decades. Many of the adults from Madhur, Changala and Kanghangad regions of Kasargod are victims of cancer. Many have lost their lives too. Is Kasargod going to be the remnant of Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Chernobyl? It’s time to ponder over the fate of the thousands of people from Kasargod district. It is not just the problem faced by present generation. The condition is posterity is not going to become favourable for growth.

The ultimate aim of the indefinite strike that commenced today is to fight for the needs of the children and mothers who are the part and parcel of endosulfan tragedy. Studies undertaken by Justice G. Ramachandran Nair committee appointed by the state government proved futile. People raised the necessity of a tribunal to take care of the mentally and physically challenged children. The report submitted within in a handful days denied the rights of these hapless people. Also it was openly declared by the chief minister of the state that these people residing in 27 panchayats will be given financial assistance for treatment. But now decision of favour has curtailed the number of panchayats to eleven based on the fact that their houses are locating far from the border of endosulfan zone. It was also said that their debts will be considered invalid. Now there is an alteration in this decision too. So these mothers have come all the way from Kasargod to capital city with their children to raise their voice for what they really deserve in the form of an indecisive strike till they materialise their dream.

Renowned Malayalam poetess Sugathakumari teacher visited the spot. She recited some of her poems composed for the endosulfan children. She expressed that it is the need of the hour to take some steps regarding their hardships. She has been a constant source of inspiration for all the qualitative endeavours of the endosulfan front. Many people who have come with their children find difficult to make both ends meet. “Who will take care of our children after we are snatched away from the surface of the earth?” asks Santhakumari, a mother belonging to endosulfan background. Their lives lost the colour of vigour and vitality as their children are not normal and playing like ordinary kids. Even in the inner most recesses of the heart, every mother has a craving for an active child bereft of any abnormalities. But fate is totally cruel in the case of mothers from many of the regions of Kasargod. We are living in such a world that no man takes care of his brother man despite his well and good physical condition. Then what will be the state of children who are born mentally and physically challenged?


What can we do for their upliftment? Think and act wisely. Those children are also one among us. If he or she is your sibling, you should have done something for them. Do something for them and be a part of their sorrows. Let’s hope that there will be a qualitative change from the part of government which enables them to make their eternal dreams turn out to be a reality.





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