Dear Editor,
I am not sure why Felix Padel, who has written a book relating Niyamgiri & environment, extensive knowledge about the region and very well involved with opposing Vedanta, has written an op-ed in one of the popular English news paper quoting:
"Vedanta vehicles carrying bauxite, coal, oil and machinery to Lanjigarh have trashed this road so thoroughly that normal vehicles take long detours to avoid sections between Therubali and Bissamcuttack, and Bissamcuttack to Muniguda."
http://expressbuzz.com/opinion/op-ed/the-most-dangerous-fundamentalism/238252.html
I know this road has been worst recently. But Vedanta's vechicles transport alumina/coal to/from Jharsuguda through NH201 Bhawanipatan, Biswanathpur from/to Lanjigarh road, but I am not clear how Muniguda-Bissam Cuttack-Rayagada road is affected by Vedanta's heavy vehicles. Lanjigarh to Muniguda, Therubali to Bissamcuttack, and Bissamcuttack to Muniguda should not be affected by Vedanta unless Vedanta has some other interests. Company may have used few light vehicles time to time, but it does not seem there is any major interest of the company presently in the region. The road largely affected due to Vedanta's heavy vehicles movement is Lanjigarh-Bhawanipatna-Balangir-Jharsuguda.
I am not saying Vedanta is doing every thing right, but we must understand both sides while chosing right or wrong, other wise we will be misused by both sides. Extactly that is what happening in Lanjigarh and Niyamgiri. If NGOs/activits/politicians could misuse poor tribal, how we expect honesty from Vedanta?
Recently I try to instiagte a bit why Vedanta's midday meal program has not started and I found it had suffered due to problem in PPP mode. Most of the Govt program in the region do not work fully or are slow due to corrution. I have seen myself signboard of Rajiv Gandhi Gramya Vidyut Yojana in many villages of Kalahandi without even electric poles.
Vedanta might have failed in many ways, but there are equally lots of propagenda and misinformation being ciriculated by NGOs/activists to suit and favor them. None of them will tell that NOT all Dongria Kondh is against Vedanta, there are supporters of Vedanta too, but NGOs will paint the whole community for tribal rights.
A person from Odisha knows well from literature that most primitive tribal in Odisha are Bonda and compared to them Dongria Kondha are much more modernised with their living, education, etc. Today Bonda are quickly adopting modern life without any industries in the vicinity, similarly other famous primitive tribal are PARAJA, today some of the PARAJA use bikes, wear trousers, T-shirt, drink Papsi/Coke etc. Jitu Jakasia, a Dongira Kondh supporter of Vedanta studying management with the help of the company, is a good example how education and opportunity could change the tribal who was once opposing the company, today his family and friends want to see development of the company. I was told that few of the Dongria Kondh leaders even share foreign liquiour and ciggarrete with the opposing NGOs.
Though the decision to stop Niyamgiri mining is being discussed as controvercial,
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110107/jsp/opinion/story_13399912.jsp
same Saxena who has rejected Niyamgiri mining few moths ago is now saying (as published in Indian Express) that Dongira Kondh want TV, mobille phones, development etc and 500 jobs to Dongria Kondh might have saved Vedanta.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/-Jobs-for-500-families-could-have-saved-Vedanta-/728251
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Irresponsible-activism/735238
How could it be possible, if it was a case of envrionment, law and issue of tribal right and living, such as like Bushman in Africa?
Perhaps ignorant and lack of education costing the tribal community. Their emotion is being technically used by NGOs, activists, Communists and politicians together in their favor, so that they could milk philanthropic money in the name of environment, tribal right etc for their survival of NGOs/activities or increase more ignorant tribal vote bank in their favor.
The same emotion is also well being used to make them maoists. Perhaps, in the name of Vedanta/corporarte, Communists would get fertililty to spread maoism that why they are at the foothills of Niyamgiri.
Working for environment and tribal rights are good things, but the way it is being used or done in Niyamgiri and Lanjigarh region will not benefit local or tribal community.
"Vedanta may be selfish, but how honest others are?" This is where people of Odisha need to begin their understanding and exploration.
Thank you and best regards
Digambara Patra
Reply by Felix
Dear Digambara
Thanks. The section of the road that I know best is between Lanjigarh & Rayagada, so this is what I write about. I'm sure the section north to Jharsaguda is also bad, but I barely know that area. Rayagada-Lanjigarh is very bad because many materials have been transported to L from Rayagada since 2004, & still are being transported.
all best
Felix
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