Beyond Religion, For A Nuclear Free World
By Anitha S
02 October, 2012
Countercurrents.org
In an unique attempt at reviving the Santhi Samiti that was formed a decade ago in Kerala against Criminalisation of Politics, the movement spearheaded by environmentalist and poetess Smt.B.Sugathakumari rallied support for the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy and the peaceful satyagraha at Idinthakarai against Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant.
The meeting on 30th September 2012 convened by the Santhi Samiti at Press Club Conference Hall, Thiruvananthapuram was attended by scientists, students and concerned citizens and social movements.
Starting with a presentation by Dr.Abey George on the fallacies of Nuclear Energy generation globally with focus on the disaster scenario in Chernobyl and Fukushima, the meeting moved on to an introduction by Smt.Sugathakumari about the issues and concerns of the present situation. This along with a 3 minute collage on Koodankulam struggle prepared by Santhi Samiti put the subject in perspective. The inaugural address by Archbishop of Trivandrum Latin Diocese about the Koodankulam People’s struggle and the concerns of the villagers was a brilliant sequel to his Easter day message for a Nuclear free safe world earlier this year. The presentation by Dr.R.V.G.Menon on the dangers, technological myths, economic and energy –wise unviability provided the right background for the rest of the dais to respond. The evocative speech by P.K.Hamsa Moulavi Farooki, reminded one of the finiteness of Planet Earth and its resources that he compared to a ship. Shri. Gopinathan Nair, the veteran Gandhian connected the Koodankulam People’s struggle with the true non-violent message of Gandhiji. Sukshmananda Swamy of Sree Narayana trust and the popular interpreter of Hindu scriptures, Swami Sandeepananda Giri were both succinct and clear for a total withdrawal from nuclear energy that is anti-life. At the end of the deliberations, Smt.Sugatakumari read out a statement requesting the Central and State Government to withdraw from further completion of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant and also to review the National Energy Policy in favour of solar, wind and other sources of energy.
The musical tribute and solidarity of the M.B.S.Youth Choir with songs by Jnanapeet award winner poet Shri.O.N.V.Kurup and Kutti Revathy was appreciated.
Prepared by Anitha.S
Photo: Dr.Abey George
Comments are moderated
