Update from the Dharna in Mehendiganj
Phone Conversation with Nandlal on April 4, 2006
Nandlal:
Madhu is coming today to Mehdiganj. We are also expecting a group of 3-4 people from Germany at around 12 pm. They will be here to take part in the dharna and to learn about the issue. These people are also facing a problem in Germany. You may be knowing that the Soccer World Cup is in Germany this year and Coca-Cola is sponsoring the event. Coke is working with the government that only Coke products should be sold in the city during this time. These people are protesting against this. I cannot speak English and I have asked Madhu to come here today so that she can help us in the translation.
One very important thing has happened. Coca-Cola used to go around saying that there is government data to show that the ground-water level had improved since Coca-cola has moved to the region. But the District Magistrate has announced that the water level has dropped all around Varanasi. In fact all the villages around Mehdiganj have also been named and he said that the water level has fallen dangerously low and something needs to be done immediately to address the situation. He also said that the government released data was false and that action will be taken against those who were responsible for the falsification of data. He did not directly say that Coca-Cola is responsible for this, but this is a victory for us, as Coke has been going around quoting the results from the government data. The DM also said that tankers will be sent to villages where there was water shortage but nothing is being done to stop Coca-Cola from drawing water from the ground.
On the 27th of January there was an article in Amar Ujaala about the water issue. There is a certain level of water in a place. When it rains the water level rises and when people use the water the water level drops. According to the State (UP), if 70% of water has been used then no more of it should be used till the next rains. The district irrigation minister says that when 70% of the water has been used, no more bore-wells are sanctioned and large government run tube-wells and bores are shutdown. The newspaper reported that in their Block, more than 72% of this water has been used. Rains are yet far away in July.
Medha Pathkarji has been on a hunger strike in Delhi for the last 7 days and we are all observing a fast today in support of her struggle.
Tomorrow is the 6th of April and it was the day when Gandhiji broke the salt law after the Dandi March. Currently the government is passing a law that only iodized salt can be sold and this is something that is being produced by large companies and being sold at very high prices. The regular salt costs around Rs 1/kg and the iodized salt costs between Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg. I dont understand the need for this law, as iodine deficiency causes a disease in 4 out of 1000 people and this is more prevalent in people living in the hills or in some particular areas. There are so many more dangerous things out there like alcohol and tobacco, but the government is not doing anything about it. We are going to protest against this too.
Yesterday there was an article in the Dainik Jagaran about the effect of drinking Coke "Rahenge Jawaan, Dikhenge Buudhaa". A doctor, from a government hospital associated with BHU, said that Coke is causing the depletion of calcium in the body. This has its greatest effect on teeth, the outer layer of which is made of calcium. The doctor said that when people are thirsty in summer, they should drink lemon-water, fruit juices and drinks made from milk as alternatives to Coke.
The movement is coming along well. We are receiving support from the local people. We are managing to get media attention with articles in the local newspapers. This is the season for the cutting of wheat and so many people are busy in the farms. Also this is the time for exams. So there are around 40 – 70 people for the dharna. After April 20th I expect to get more people for the dharna.
We have started five water trolleys which we keep in the market-place, bus-stop. When people get down form the bus they are looking for something to drink and we provide them free water, rather than them buying something to drink. We repaired the carts from last year. I want to have five more carts as people are really appreciating it. Summer is already here and it can be used only for 3-4 months till July. After that it is of no use.
I request you to write about our struggle and keep a record of what is happening here. Please try and get some articles published and raise awareness about our struggle."