Joanna Lumley narrates new film about remote tribe

British actress Joanna Lumley has narrated a new film for tribal rights charity Survival International. ‘Mine: story of a sacred mountain’ reveals the hidden story of the remote Dongria Kondh tribe in India and their battle to stop a vast bauxite mine destroying their land and way of life.

Vedanta Resources, a British company, plans to dig a vast open-cast bauxite mine in the Niyamgiri Hills in Orissa which will destroy the forests that the 8,000 Dongria Kondh rely on for their food and way of life. The Dongria worship the mountain as a living God, and are determined to save Niyamgiri from becoming an industrial wasteland. Vedanta is majority-owned by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal.

The film will be premiered at the House of Commons on Wednesday 1 April at 1.30pm, at a screening organized by the All Party Parliamentary Group for tribal peoples and Survival International.

Joanna Lumley, who was born in India, said today, 'It greatly disturbs me that a British company will be responsible for the destruction of these wonderful people. I urge the public to support the Dongria, who simply want to be allowed to live in peace. Unlike so many of India's rural poor, the Dongria Kondh actually live very well in the Niyamgiri hills, and it's a terrible irony that what Vedanta is proposing to do in the name of 'development' will actually destroy this completely self-sufficient people.'

Stephen Corry, director of Survival International, said today, 'For the sake of the Dongria Kondh, Vedanta must scrap their plans to mine the Niyamgiri Hills. It will be an incredibly destructive project, and Vedanta is now facing a barrage of calls for them to think again. Shareholders in Vedanta need to be aware that their money could be responsible for the destruction of the Dongria people.'

Source: Survival International

Chandrapur’s languishing adivasis

By Rahi Gaikwad

Chandrapur’s sizeable adivasi population has been in the political wilderness for a long time. Parties have done little to bring the original inhabitants of this forested district in Vidharbha out of it.

“Ministers only speak of issues like building a road or doing small favours; the larger issues have never been addressed,” says Godrupatil Zumnake, member of Chandrapur’s Zilla Parishad.

Chandrapur’s MP is Hansraj Ahir of the BJP, who has again been nominated from here. In the last election, he beat Naresh Puglia of the Congress by over 59,000 votes. The voters in the district are likely to experience a feeling of déjÀ vu, as Puglia is again the Congress candidate.

Vijay Siddawar, general secretary of Elgar Pratishthan, a people’s organisation, says Mr. Ahir has done good work in the region and Puglia is recognised as a labour leader. However, the major issues, especially relating to the adivasis, remain largely unaddressed.

There are about three and a half lakh Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Chandrapur, comprising 19.7 per cent of the total population of over 20 lakh. In the absence of a political voice, elections have little meaning for them.

The scramble for resources squeezes the tribals of Chandrapur from many directions. They have been systematically losing their lands to non-adivasis.

“In the 70s, there was a massacre of adivasis by non- adivasis like the Banjaras and Other Backward Castes. Around 18 tribal villages were pillaged. Adivasis have lost lands on such a large scale that many have left the region and the tribal population has depleted,” says Mr. Siddawar who has been fighting for pattas (land titles) for them.

Maru Jhangu Kodafe, from the Kolam tribe, says there is now an ashram school on his land. “I have land, but no ownership,” he says.

Struggles to reclaim land have met with violent opposition with 513 cases of atrocities being registered. Over time, the resistance waned and land grabbing stopped by 2004. However, the fight for land rights is far from over. Even those who have got pattas complain that encroachers have not vacated their land. The landless do not get loans from banks and have to turn to the traditional moneylender or the sahukar. Typically, they repay one and a half times or twice the amount borrowed.

Political parties have been silent over the issues of pattas as non-adivasis outnumber the STs and form a majority vote bank, says Mr. Siddawar.

Nor have they addressed the issue of water scarcity in Chandrapur. Around 65 villages in the district suffer from water scarcity, says Paromita Goswami, president of Elgar.

According to Ghanshyam Ramesh Meshram, taluka secretary in Jiwati, one of the most backward taluks in Chandrapur, people have to walk two kilometres up and down the hill to fetch water. The irrigation scenario is equally dismal. Of the 11,000 hectares of agricultural land, only 3,000 hectares are irrigated. Because of this, Chandrapur can reap only one harvest. Not a drop has flowed from the Gosikhurd dam project in Nagpur, and the Amalnala lake, meant for irrigation, now supplies water to the district’s cement factories, says Siddawar.

Although bereft of basic necessities, Chandrapur is on the road to industrialisation with cement factories, mining projects, a thermal power station and paper mills lining the rocky landscape. But this is likely to be of little solace to the adivasis, who have little access to healthcare and lack even the most basic facilities.

Tribe refuses food and medicine from British company

Dongria Kondh villagers in Orissa have refused to accept medicine and food from Vedanta Resources, in protest at the company’s plan to mine the tribe’s mountain.

Reports indicate that representatives of Vedanta Resources approached a health clinic in the Dongria village of Kurli, carrying medicine and rice, apparently as gifts for the community. Dongria leaders stopped the Vedanta vehicle before it could reach the clinic, and told the employees they were not welcome in Kurli village.

This is not the first time Vedanta has tried to hand out goods to the Dongria Kondh.

Last year Vedanta employees visited Kurli and the neighbouring village Khajouri. The men distributed clothes and then asked the Dongrias present to express their support for Vedanta’s mine. One Dongria man from Khajouri village told Survival about the visit:

‘There were three people from Vedanta. They said, ‘We have brought some clothes for your village and we will give them to you.’ They asked us ‘Do you support Vedanta and do you want to mine bauxite?’ We said no, we don’t want to give our mountain. Then they said, ‘Everyone from the other side of the mountain has agreed to mine. If you refuse, we will not give anything to you. If you complain then we won’t provide anything to you again.’’

He added, ‘In my heart I have never supported Vedanta.’

The Dongria Kondh are vigorously resisting Vedanta’s attempts to mine their sacred mountain. Alongside other tribal people in the area, the Dongria regularly block the roads leading into the hills. Vedanta’s mine will destroy the forests that support the Dongria’s self-sufficient lives, and spell the end for one of India’s most remote tribes.

Source: Survival International

NTPC offers exclusive scholarship for SC/ST students

NTPC, a Public sector enterprise in the power sector, offers exclusive scholarship for SC/ST students, pursuing full-time three years diploma in engineering from a recognized Institute.

Eligibility :
Students should have successfully cleared their first examination of full-time three years diploma in engineering course in the discipline of electrical/electronic/instrumentation/mechanical/Civil and must be relatively meritorious among the SC/ST candidates.

Should not be in receipt of any financial aid or assistance from any other source whatsoever.

Should be a bonafide student of an Institute of x Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh or Rajasthan.

Tenure:
The scholarship is tenable from the second year of diploma engineering course till the completion of the diploma course.
The scholarship is payable for all the 12 months in the year for two years.

Scholarship amount:
The amount of scholarship will be limited to Rs 1000 per month.
The continuance of scholarship, once awarded, is subject to satisfactory performance in each year’s annual examination and students’ good conduct.

Number of scholarships :
Number of scholarships will be is such as decided by NTPC.

How to apply :
Candidates fulfilling above requirements and willing to the considered for NTPC’s scholarship may submit his/her duly signed and typed application along with a latest attested photograph and furnishing full particulars has given below:

Name of the candidate
Father’s name
Address for communication along with phone number and mobile number
Academic qualifications (matriculation on wards and first-year engineering )
Name and address of Institute with contact number of principal
Signature of the candidate

The copies of Mark Sheets, caste certificate and an undertaking that the candidate fulfills eligibility conditions and is not in receipt of any financial aid or assistance from any other source and further that the information furnished by her/him is true and correct and if any information is found false or incorrect, it will disqualify her/him from the NTPC’s scholarship apart from having to return the amount already paid. The envelope should be superscribed with “NTPC scholarship for SC/ST” and forwarded to Liaison officer (SC/ST), NCR-HQ, HR Department, R and D Building, A-8A, Sec.-24, Noida -201301

Last date for receipt application is 20.04.2009

Popular Chai-Moth, the beverage of Mising Tribals in Assam

By Peter Alex Todd

Mising Gaon (Assam): Chai-Moth, a traditional drink of Mising tribes of Assam, brewed with rice and herbal ingredients, remains popular with connoisseurs of beverage for its invigorating aroma.

Chai-Moth is also known as 'Poro Apong' and famous for its medicinal values.

The traditional tea served during festivals and religious ceremonies is a much sought after drink and of late it has gained immense popularity among tourists and other non-Misings.

What makes the drink unique is the way it is prepared.

Pure 'Poro Apong' is brewed after a three-time distillation process through a conventional filter.

Chai-Moth tea is a concoction made from rice, hay, rice husk, certain herbs and traditional medicine ingredients. It is believed to have curative powers and acts as a stress buster as well.

Dharmendra Doley, a Mising tribal (also known as Miri) said that this drink besides having medicinal value is very tasty.

"It is popular in the sense that it is very tasty and it has some medicinal values also. It will be completely cure urinary problems," said Dharmendra Doley, a member of Mising tribal community.

Kolia Pegu, another Mising tribal said that he feels fresh after having this tea.

"After drinking Chai-Moth, there is no body pain. I feel refreshed the entire day," said Pegu.

Various fairs in Assam and elsewhere have given the Mising tribals, a platform to showcase their traditional delicacies of food and beverages.

No wonder, visitors throng their stalls to sample their food, especially to have a sip of the invigorating Chai-Moth.

Although Assam has witnessed tremendous progressive changes over the past couple of decades, equal efforts have been made to preserve the cultural heritage of the region, particularly the tribal ethos.

Chai-Moth of Misings is one of the historical heritage.

Why BJP went back to Ram !

By Gladson Dungdung
Countercurrents

14 March, 2009

The biggest festival of the Indian democracy is at the door. The political parties are all set to woo the voters. But the final fight is between the Congress and the BJP. Surprisingly, the BJP has gone back to Ram again though it had failed to construct the Ram Temple while it was heading the NDA government at the Centre. Interestingly, the prime minister in waiting L.K. Advani has declared that he will not say “Jai Shree Ram” till the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Similarly, the BJP was not ready to accept the court’s verdict but now it has declared for constituting a first tract court to resolve the issue if it comes to power.

In these circumstances, one must have to analyze that why the BJP went back to Ram again. The main reason is that the BJP has lost its prime agendas before the general election as the Congress headed UPA government has snatched these with the prompt actions, policies and programmes, which translated as the great achievements for the country. The BJP was in the position to make terrorism, national security and inflation as its prime agendas for the general election. But these agendas are almost snatched by the Congress as it took stringent action against its own three ministers including the Home Minister Shivraj Patel and mobilized the world community against terrorism especially against the Pakistan after the Mumbai attack, which the most Indians love to see. On the other hand, the BJP had completely failed during the terrorists’ attack in the Parliament. The UPA’s prompt action against terrorism has already resulted in Delhi Assembly poll. In this case if the BJP makes the terrorism as its prime agenda then it may lose the voters.

Another overwhelming agenda of the BJP is inflation. There was a hue and cry on inflation during the last Assembly poll in four states – Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatishgarh. The BJP went to the Assembly poll with clear agendas of inflation and terrorism. But unfortunately, it lost Rajasthan and did not gain Delhi too though it had created a huge fear and insecurity through the colourful advertisements on the issues of inflation and terrorism. Now the inflation has come down and the UPA government has taken enough steps to control it by cutting the oil prices, relief in service taxes and many other areas. On the other hand, the inflation is not the issue of the common people as they are accustomed of living with it and the other middle class can cope with it through the sixth pay commission. Therefore the inflation is also not a burning issue now which may not give a good result in the general election.

The BJP also can not come up with the issue of development as its own ruled state the Madhya Pradesh is on the top in the list of “world hunger” in the country. The BJP has only Gujurat to show the voters as a developed state but it has also failed to wipe out the black spot of Godhra communal riots therefore the voters can not forget it. On the other hand, projection of Gujarat model of development means ratifying Narendra Modi’s leadership in the BJP instead of L.K. Advani. The Modi’s development model also works only in the mind of Gujarati voters and obviously, the BJP will not project Narendra Modi as Vikash Purush (Hero of development), which would be the suicidal for Advani’s political carrier. Therefore the BJP is not in a position to face the general election with the agenda of development.

On the other hand, the Congress headed UPA government has numbers of achievements to show the voters which begins from the Right to information Act for every one, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act for the poor, Forest Rights Act for Adivasis and other Forest Dweller Communities, welfare schemes for minorities, weaved loan for farmers, Mid-Day-Meal, National Rural Health Mission, Balika Samridhi Yojna, and the list goes on with the Sixth Pay commission for the middle class employee families. Besides, the Indian Railway is booming with the net profit of Rs. 90,000 crore and the country was able to face the recession with prompt actions of the government. In the issues of terrorism and the national security, the Congress has taken a clear stance against terrorism and it has also passed legislation for the national security. The value addition for the Congress is giving 30 percent tickets to youth under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi as the youth brought change in the America, which can have a huge impact in the India’s general election too.

Now the BJP has nothing to woo the voters in the coming general election. Therefore, it has taken a hard decision for raising the issue of Ram Temple once again, which may divide the voters in the communal line as it is easier to mobilized people emotionally in the name of religion. But in that case too the BJP may have to face the election alone as the NDA will not stand unitedly. The NDA alliance partner Chandra Babu Naidu’s Telengu Desham Party has already made it clear that the party will not accept L.K. Advani as the Prime Minister and the Janta Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar has also said that the Ram Temple is not the agenda of the NDA. Therefore the BJP is in a do or die situation. One should not be surprised if the Congress emerged as the biggest party in the next general election and instead of UPA another alliance headed by the Congress take auth at the centre as the people need peace, security and development instead of Ram Temple. In that case, Advani will lose a chance to say Jai Shree Ram forever and might blame his party leaders or lord Ram for it.

Gladson Dungdung is a Human Rights Activist and Writer. He can be contacted at gladsonhrights@gmail.com

Stripped tribal is now Assam’s Adivasi mascot

Kuworigaon (Assam): Laxmi Orang wasn’t supposed to be famous. But fate had other things in mind and today, she has become Assam’s mascot for Adivasi rights. Indeed, there’s a world of difference between the girl who was stripped during a protest in Guwahati in 2007 and the one who will make her political debut from Tezpur next month.

The odds against Laxmi are steep. Her opponents are Congress heavyweight Mani Kumar Subba and Asom Gana Parishad’s Joeseph Toppo, a playing field that won’t have any pundit betting on her win. But that doesn’t faze her as she talks confindently about Martin Luther King, casting herself in the same revolutionary mould, her tone reflecting a quiet but unwavering confidence.

Laxmi is on a mission that goes beyond contesting Lok Sabha elections on an Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) ticket. So, whether she loses or pulls off an upset, she says she won’t lose sight of the ‘‘bigger dream of bringing justice and recognition to marginalized sections of society’’.

On November 7, 2007, during an Adivasi rally in Guwahati to seek ST status, Laxmi was stripped and hounded by hoodlums in full public view. As others looked on scared, a local businessman threw her a jacket and took her to the police. She quietly disappeared after that.

Today, she says, that incident of shame is her political staff. ‘‘Our community contributed to the tea industry but we are still an impoverished lot. We only survive as a vote bank,’’ she asserts.

Her campaign is mainly in the tea gardens where the Adivasi vote is around 4 lakh of the total 12.5 lakh. The band of supporters that travel with her door-to-door and village-to-village also seems to be steadily growing, a testimony to her resolve. ‘‘I was in Jharkhand last April for a book release function and that’s where I first heard of Martin Luther King,’’ she says.

Charged by the spirit, Laxmi leaves home at 5 am, travels on campaign extensively and returns only late in the evening to chalk out the next day’s plans. But unlike other politicisns, she doesn’t have to give long speeches. To most others she meets, Laxmi’s stripping in Guwahati is a story of their own suffering. They understand her.

Source: The Times Of India

Bengal tribals’ motorbike rally to press demands

Siliguri: More than 300 members of a tribal body in West Bengal Saturday set out on a 150-km motorcycle rally to press for their demands, including the reopening of the tea gardens in the northern part of the state.

The rally was organised by the tribal group Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Bikash Parishad (ABABP).

‘We want the closed tea gardens of the region to be opened immediately. We also want that the Terai and the Doors regions be made into one Lok Sabha constituency,’ ABABP state working secretary Rajesh Toppo said during the rally.

The riders were carrying their traditional weapons like bows and arrows on their shoulders.

The rally started at Ghoshpukur in Siliguri and will end in Sankosh on the West Bengal-Assam border March 16.

More SC/ST seats in 15th Lok Sabha

New Delhi: The 15th Lok Sabha will have 11 more reserved seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The number of total seats, however, will remain 543.

The number of constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes has increased from 79 to 84 after the delimitation of the constituencies.

Likewise, the number of seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes has increased from 41 to 47.

Moreover, the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections will witness an increase of over 4.30 crore voters. Nearly 10.5 lakh electronic voting machines will be used at 8.3 lakh polling stations. These polling stations include 12,901 new ones set up in villages having less than 300 electors.

Uttar Pradesh will have the highest number of electors at over 11.64 crore while Lakshadweep will have lowest number of electors at 44.4 thousand.

Around 1800 observers are likely to keep a stringent watch on the electoral process spread over five phases across the country.

Tribals in Siliguri call for poll boycott

Siliguri: Miffed with the State Government for not accepting their demand for a separate constituency for the tribals in Siliguri, a tribal outfit has called for boycott of the coming general elections.

The Akhil Bharatiya Adivashi Vikash Parisad (ABAVP) of the Terai Doars has called for poll boycott. If the demands, which they have put before the State Government on the developmental issues, aren't fulfilled by March 31, the boycott will come into force, they threatened.

Majority of the tribals residing in the Terai Doars region according to reports support the boycott call.

According to the General Secretary of ABAVP, Rajesh Lakra, the tribals of the region are fed up with the indifferent attitude of the Government.Our demand is reopening of the closed tea gardens, second is to provide a patch of land to every tribal living near tea gardens, the national highway 31 to be made on the same route and in the end to create a separate reserve constituency for the tribals in the Doars and Terai region. If our demands will not be fulfilled then we will not caste our votes," said Lakra.

The tribals feel that it was no use casting their votes, as their lot has not improved.

"We have no facilities, we want a separate patch of land for the tea gardens. If we do not get these facilities then it is no use casting our votes. We haven't received any benefit even after casting our votes," said Kabita Kujur, a worker.

Most of the people of Terai Doars region are dependent on tea gardens and agriculture for their livelihood.

Moreover a number of the tea gardens are being closed or are abandoned by the owners. Nearly 12,500,000 people who were dependent on this particular industry are left jobless.

Understanding Why Tribal Populations Are Free From Clinical Symptoms Of Infection With H Pylori Strains

Helicobacter pylori is of growing concern today because of its crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases and in the multi-step carcinogenic process of gastric cancer. However, it is still an enigma why few strains are associated with ulcer formation with relevant clinical symptoms while others are not associated with any disease manifestation.

H pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease is common among ethnic Bengali population in West Bengal, India. In contrast, although H pylori infection is equally or more common in the ethnic tribal minorities (Santhals and Orans) of West Bengal, symptomatic disease is extremely rare. A research article published on March 7, 2009 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses different histological parameters occurring in the stomach tissue of H pylori infected tribal populations and duodenal ulcer patients among ethnic Bengalis for getting insights of the cause for near absence of H pylori associated overt disease in these tribal populations and correlation of the genotypes of H pylori with different histological parameters.

This study showed almost similar distribution of inflammatory cells among asymptomatic tribals and DU Bengali patients. Interestingly, the tribal population are free from any clinical symptoms despite evidence of active histologic gastritis and infection with H pylori strains carrying similar virulence markers as of strains isolated from patients with DU. There was increased cellular response specially in terms of neutrophil infiltration but much lower risk of developing atrophy and metaplastic changes among tribal populations.

Apparent avirulence among tribal group might reflect features of the host. Our study raised two important questions - (i) why tribal groups are free from any clinical symptoms in spite of evidence of active histologic gastritis and (ii) identification of the host factors (Tribal), which may provide immunity to resist the pathogenic effects of putatively virulent H pylori strains. Such kind of studies may uncover new genetic factor/factors that affect human infection, increase our understanding of bacterium-host interactions in colonization and disease.

Source: Medical News Today

Tribal women make eco-friendly colours for Holi

The festival of colours will be different this year for tribal women of Bhandara and Gondia as the naturally prepared colours by them will be sold at various malls and department stores throughout the state. This will be a result of the joint initiative of state Social Forestry directorate and, Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI).

“There has been a big demand for natural eco-friendly colours in the market and are being sold at high prices. Thus, it was decided to promote the eco-friendly colours prepared by the tribal woman self help groups (SHG),” Prakash Thosre, Director, Social Forestry, said.

The department tied up with the TRTI for training the tribal women in Bhandara and Gondia district for preparing good quality eco-friendly colours for Holi, he said adding the product will be marketed by the social forestry department.

Around 390 tribal women from 41 villages manufactured 20,000 packets, each of 100 grams, of colours. They come in four colours — black, yellow, red and green — and will cost Rs 35 per packet.

The priority will be to sell the colours through the network of government-promoted National Harit Sena in the select Government schools in every district on March 7 and later on in Malls in the cities.

TRTI director A K Jha said that the institute has been training tribal women in various schools and the initiative of the state forestry department was worth promoting. Though, it was started in a small way this year, it will be extended in a large way next year so that more tribal women are included in the programme, he said.

Source: Indian Express

Adivasis crushed between home sentiments and loyalty

Guwahati: Sixty-year-old Basab Kuzur is at crossroads, literally. The sexagenarian is one among those Adivasis who have never voted for any other party other than the Congress.

But, the changed political scenario after the Beltola violence has given rise to a precarious situation for people like Kuzur who don't know whether to stick to Congress or support National People's Party (NPP) exploiting the sentiments of Adivasis. Formed out of "bruised sentiments" after the violence at Beltola, NPP is set to exploit the sense of "being left out" among Adivasis throwing a big challenge to other political parties banking on the community's vote bank.

The demand for Scheduled Tribe status is high on NPP's agenda. And, for someone like Kuzur who has been voting for Congress, NPP has emerged as a party promising to champion the cause of the community. For long, Adivasis have been the traditional vote-bank of Congress. Though Asom Gana Parishad managed to set up base within the community, especially during its rule in the 1980s and 1990s, it is still the Congress which commands the votes in its favour, said political observers.

Independent observers within the Adivasis also conceded that there was confusion on whether to go with traditional political parties or to support the newly formed political outfit (NPP). "Most of the Adivasis have been supporting the Congress, but now they have NPP. The 2007 mayhem will also work in favour of the outfit. The NPP is certainly going to make some impact," said Ananta Bagh, an Adivasi.

On the other hand, the Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) has made inroads into the Adivasi society by fielding Lakhmi Orang from Tezpur constituency. Lakshmi became a "symbol of exploitation" among the Adivasis after she was stripped by miscreants during the November 2007 protest rally in Guwahati. Lakshmi said she decided to contest the election as political parties have failed to fulfil the aspirations of Adivasis.

What is more worrying for political parties is that the NPP is thinking to to support Lakshmi in the election. "We are thinking to support Lakshmi. The decision is still at a nascent stage. A decision will be taken during our our party meeting on March 8," said NPP secretary A S Guria. He added that the party would have no truck with Congress and AGP.

AUDF, however, was quick to welcome NPP's willingness to support Lakshmi. "We will be glad if NPP supports our candidate in Tezpur constituency," said AUDF working president Hafiz Rashid Choudhury.

Source: The Times Of India