Anti - Vedanta Activists and NGOs Loosing Grounds in Lanjigarh

June 3, 2010 - PRLog -- The sustained efforts of Vedanta have started giving results. The change has begun and is to be seen to be believed. People support including support from Dongria Kondhs is increasing every day. Launching of Mid-Day meal programme in Lanjigarh for increasing nutrient value of over 17,000 under-privileged children , training of 120 women from Dongria Kondhs in leaf-place making, Strawberry cultivation to enhance the income of the farmers, Mobile Health Units to cater to health requirement of villagers - specially tribals, at their door step, 70 child care centres, adoption of 800 Anganwadi Centres benefiting 31,500 under-privileged children, to name a few, have brought Vedanta Group much closer to villagers, particularly the tribals who were being mislead by social activists and distant NGOs.

Tudu Majhi, a villager of Khemptipadar Village of Lanjigarh says, ‘we have changed because of Vedanta Aluminium. Today Mobile Health Units of Vedanta look after our health and we need not go to far off hospitals for small treatments.’ Kataru Majhi is happy because Vedanta Group company helped him in better understanding of land and seeds and also fertilizers and pesticides. Today his agriculture income has increased multi-fold.

When a team of 8 from Dongria Kondh community from Patsali, Guma, Luma and Dangamati village visited Panchapatmali bauxite mining site, Asia’s largest bauxite reserve in order to see for themselves the reality of bauxite mining, one of the member’s, Taalu Saikoka while interacting with tribals reacted, ‘there is NO environment damage, NO damage to tribals culture, NO scarcity of water, then why these NGOs are misleading tribal people. Maandi Sikoka saw forest cover increased due to plantation by mining company.

Drika Kadraka said, ‘we won’t allow NGOs to misguide us further. Now we see the reality and will let our people (Dongria Kondhs) know about this. If mining can change their lives, it would change our lives too. It was foolishness to oppose the mining from Niyamgiri by Vedanta Aluminium and listen to useless propaganda.’

Only Vedanta Group came forward during the recent epidemic in Lanjigarh, district Kalahandi and provided instant medical care to help people suffering from Diarrhea and Cholera. Most of these people belonged to Dongria Kondhs in Kurli Gram Panchayat in Bissamkatak Block of Rayagada District. Dongria Kondh, understand now what is good for them and what would be ultimately helping their children and their community. They have stopped listening to vested interest people and NGOs.

There have been many attempts by the Dongria NGOs and groups, to mobilize Dongria tribal community against Vedanta Group for mining from Niyamgiri Hill but as Dongria Kondh community now know the reality, they do not come in their trap rather have been working very closely with Vedanta Group. These groups have faced frustration and failure many times. Recently May 14, 2009 they again attempted to incite Dongria Kondhs but failed again. Dongria Kondhs refused to listen to them and are happy to be part of growth and prosperity. These vested groups planned a rally on May 11, 2009 but could muster support of not even 10 people from Dongria Kondhs in less then 50 people gathered. Those 10 also did not stick to them. The rally was cancelled. On May 14, 2009 these activists again tried to take out rally, went home to home to muster support but were highly disappointed.

Vedanta Group has very clear focus relating to community development and they are going ahead with it. Every day people are joining hands and the development has started showing tangible results. “We know now these NGOs are outsiders and outsiders should not be allowed to unnecessary interfere in our development. We know these NGOs and activists have used us for their interests”, voiced a Dongria Kondh who was happy his wife getting plate making training.

It is true, large Corporates have been always instrumental in bringing changes in the lives of people, specially those, who have not seen how the world has grown. Along with Corporates, Governments and NGOs and activities supporting developments have also joined hands to bring desired results. It is important to support growth and development and be part of the positive change rather opposing developmental activities.

Dongria Kondhs now understand the different between meaningful development that would go a long way in upbringing their lives, lives of their children, their livelihood, education, agriculture, health, sanitation, infrastructure and their community development rather heed ear to selfish propaganda of vested NGOs and activists.

SOurce: http://www.1888pressrelease.com/anti-vedanta-activists-an...