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A Tree Friend For Jaseera And Her Children Fighting Sand Mining In Coastal Kerala

By Anitha S

03 September, 2013
Countercurrents.org

I am Rizwana. I am 13 years old. Me, my sister Shifana and baby brother Mohammed have been here in front of the Trivandrum Secretariat along with our mother Jaseera for nearly a month now. I am sure you are wondering why. It is because our home and the sea shore of the village Madayi in Kannur District is in real danger. My mother who grew up in the village knows the sea and the shores like the back of her hand. When we stayed away from Madayi we had forgotten about the sound of waves, the smell of the sea and the cool breeze. But when we came back a few years ago, we saw that the sea which was very calm, the beach with white sand that glistened on many moon lit nights had changed. The waves seemed near and huge, the beach very narrow and noisy with many people walking up and down with big loads of the white sand. This was when my mother started her arguments and talk.

We were surprised to see the transformation in her. She spoke with clarity and commitment to prove the fact that if more sand is removed it would mean loss of land and danger to houses. My mother does not speak for herself or for us. She speaks for the seashore and the sea which she says has given so much support to so many that we should not kill that. It is this clear vision of hers and the love she showers on us in spite of all the hardships and uncertainties that make us want to be with her.
We have been with her always.. she has taken us to the Police Station in Puthiayangadi, to the Collector’s office in Kannur and now here to the capital.

We arrived here in this city on a rainy morning. Since then, we have seen rain and shine, moonlight and sunshine, dark and lighted up streets. We have been the foursome for many nights, we have had few companions and a huge mass of people for some days. We have had groups coming to us as a procession with supporting slogans, we have had individuals joining for a few hours or a day. We have seen people pass by and then come back to talk and enquire why we are here. Some have got us sweets, others books, some have told us stories and wondered about our studies and life. We have seen friendly police men and women, as also angry and irritated ones.

A few days back, some Child Rights people came to take us away. But we did not want to go. Since then me and my sister go to a school to study during the day. My sister is very intelligent and can grasp quickly.I am a bit lazy. But I love to read stories and poems. My little brother also likes books. He will pretend like he is an elder and keep staring at the pages. We laugh a lot when we see that. He is a very loving and happy child. He does not cry or become restless. As long as my mother or one of us is there, Muthu ( as we call him ) is peaceful. He is yet to talk clearly. But I think he talks through his eyes and smiles.

I wonder how long we will have to be here. On our festival day, my mother went with some friends to make Biriyani. Many people came to see us that day. Some big channels came to interview and then mother had to rush back..The rice for biriyani got overcooked and so we had Biriyani payasam that day. How we all laughed, though it was tasty.My mother usually makes excellent food. She says the masalas and rice were very good but it was because she left the kitchen of the friend’s house to come for interview that it got a bit overcooked.Any way, everyone liked it.

Since the day we came, the big tree standing at the Secretariat gate has been giving us shade and coolness. When it was raining, the leaves would rain down on us even after the rain had stopped. A friend came and told us that this is a Mahogany tree with small leaves. I look up and wonder how many struggles this tree might have seen, how many slogans and speeches it must have heard.It must have seen peaceful and violent strikes. I wonder if it has ever seen the likes of us – 3 kids and a mother for so many days. I wish I could talk to the tree and hear its story.

The other day, a friend came and told us the story of a Giving Tree which shows how human selfishness and greed destroyed a tree. Sitting under the huge tree, I thought of how the sea is also so giving but humans take everything away. Is that not why my frail mother is here to speak up for the sea and seashore? When I see the squirrels that stay on the tree and watch the many birds that rest in the shade, I understand how the tree is home to so many living forms. My mother explains that seashore is also not just for humans. There are the huge sea turtles that come to lay eggs. There are so many crabs and seashells which hide in burrows in the sand. There are varieties of birds that feed on the seashore- some we know are here all the time, others fly in from far away and stay for a few days. Many nest in the sand. We humans also need the seashore and the sea. After all do we not live on the shore? What about all the activities we do on the shore? What about keeping the nets and boats? The ways in which we cast nets, the hauling in of vessels and nets, the cleaning and drying of fishes, the repairing of nets.. so much happens on the shore. If the shore goes, will the sea not come into the land and take away homes?

Are these not reason enough for anyone concerned about the safety of land and life to be with my mother in her struggle? So goes my thoughts as I watch the sun lighting up the small green leaves of the big tree who has become my friend. I like to see the tree best from the other side of the road..it looks really grand like a grandfather. When we go away home after we get an answer from the Government assuring us that no more sea shore sand will be taken, I think I will miss the tree and all the friends who have come to be with us the most…

N.B

Jaseera’s lone battle against indiscriminate sea shore sand collection in her village Madayi and also other places has crossed a month in front of Secretariat. Though the Chiefl Minister met her and verbally promised all necessary support, the report from Kannur Collector on the issue has been damaging and derogatory. Jaseera demands that the CM gives it in writing that all the assurances given to her will be implemented and directions given.

Rizwana in conversation with Anitha.S at Secretariat gate, Thiruvananthapuram.
Photos: Suresh Elamon and Praveen Ramachandran

Also Read

The River Meets Sea
By Anitha.S

Letter From A Woman Fighting Sand Mining In Coastal Villages Of Kerala
By Jaseera

 



 

 


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