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Listening To Our Own Voices

By Anitha S

30 October, 2012
Countercurrents.org

I am Ignesh. From Tsunami Colony near Idinthakarai village in Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Since two days, I am in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. Along with me are my friends Labisha, Nisha and Preethi. We are here today to share with many friends in Kerala the message from our tiny coastal villages. We understand that we are all now part of an important struggle against one of the most dangerous of creations that human beings have made- the Nuclear Power plant.

As we sat in the Press Club in this city with very many revered people like poetess Sugathakumari watching the two documentaries about the struggle, we felt strange. But it was a positive feeling of belonging and reassurance. We know that the slogans and demands that we have been peacefully raising against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant have crossed the borders of Tamil Nadu. We hear that people from Australia, London, Japan and the U.S are now holding programs in support of us. We feel happy that films taken by our friends like Satish Uncle who has been coming to our village so many times will help build up awareness about the impacts of nuclear power generation.

As I saw the two short but sharp documentaries on the movement, my eyes filled with tears. Hearing the strong Sundari auntie speak so clearly about the ill- effects of nuclear plants, I think of her still in Trichy jail. When I heard the strong and clear voices of Xavieramma and Melrit auntie, I miss the former as she too is in jail. I have seen how alone Melrit auntie is without them. I could feel the support of the people who had come that day as I spoke my heart out. I know the responsibility of representing each and every child in my village and all other villages where people have been opposing the Nuclear Power Plant for over 450 days. The film Daughters of the Sea took us back to our village before September 10th when the Police carnage happened. From 71 year old Chinna Thankam to 10 year old Shyamili, the girls and women spoke about why they are resisting the plant. While some focused on its impact on human body, especially the body of women who will be unable to bear healthy children, others spoke about how it will poison the ocean and the fishes. I too feel that the one single reason for opposing the Nuclear Power Plant should be its adverse impact on the life and living systems like air, water and soil. The total lack of democracy and transparency in the way in which this huge development programs come into areas where people live is indeed shocking and unfair. The more we realize that our livelihoods so closely related to the oceans will be destroyed the more we are convinced that we cannot let this happen ever. The film with the song Kadale Kadale in the background was to me very moving as it ends with the very special speech by Udayakumar anna. I like the way he stresses on the peaceful and decent way in which we have been sitting in our church courtyard and demanding answers for our simple and straight questions. The sight of the boats in the sea also brings energy and hope.

Today too was special and unique- the 3rd day in Trivandrum. We were part of the March to the Kerala Secretariat that was organized by the Koodankulam Anti-Nuclear Struggle group in Kerala. We met many friends in the morning at the Martyr’s Column. I was proud to lead the march with people like Sugathakumari and K. Ajitha. I made friends with young Adityan and Arunima whose parents had brought them along. We walked with high energy, various organizations joining with their banners. I was overwhelmed when they asked me to speak first, but then I thought of the need to convey the message from our villages and I just let go. I spoke of the impact of nuclear power plants on generations to come and all the hundred things that I have learnt over the few months. I could see that the audience was moved by what I tried to convey. I listened to many speeches and could understand quite a bit. I saw the big crowd with placards and banners, standing in rapt attention forgetting the sun and the dust. We all sat in the road at the entrance to the Secretariat for more than an hour. I felt so moved and surprise by the support and strength of Kerala towards us and against Nuclear energy. I saw that many were listening to me with eyes full of tears.

I felt so good to listen to my friends Labisha and Nisha. Even yesterday Labisha spoke very clearly about the fear lurking in the villages. She wondered when she will be able to go back to normal routine and study. Nisha spoke about the peaceful nature of the struggle and said that no where in near history would a whole region sit in a Satyagraha pandal for 450 days. I could hear many clap when she said this.

We will soon go back home, our minds fulfilled with seeing so many friends and knowing we are not alone. We heard that in Chennai too, the Secretariat March was successful. We are relieved that the Police force has not been used in our village. We are sorry to miss the events in Idinthakarai. But we know it is more important to go out and tell the world not to go ahead with this destruction. We did miss our homes these two days, but we realized how great an experience and exposure we have gained by this journey.

Ignesh on October 29th after the Secretariat March organized by the Kerala Support Group for Koodankulam Anti-Nuclear Movement. (as told to Anitha.S)

 




 

 


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