Solidarity Completes First Phase of Rehabilitation
for Endosulphan Victims (27.5.2009)

Kasaragode: It is high time to re examine whether we need deadly development projects, says N.K. Premachandran, minister for water resources, Kerala, while delivering his speech in function declaring the first phase of rehabilitation for the endosulphan victims conducted by Solidarity Youth Movement. The calamity hit area of endosulphan spraying indicates that the impact study should be duly considered when introducing new projects. The developments without planning overturned the environment all over Kerala.

The court has directed that the displaced inhabitants must be rehabilitated first where ever the projects are implemented. The impacts and side effects should bring down to zero. In this arena Solidarity could open a new warfront and it is a constructive one. The government and other non governmental organisations can make it a model. Highly we need a responsible capital investment- he said.

The Solidarity rehabilitation project, completed in 14 months spending a sum of Rs. 50 lakh, has been dedicated to the State by Jamat e Islami Kerala Ameer T. Arifali. He said that the project exemplified that there was no dearth of virtue in youth. We called the youths of seventies as youths in fury but we found their indolence later. Youths were being immersed in liquor and drug abuse, earned much to become spendthrifts and some turned to extremism and terrorism. In between them Solidarity has been working, upholding the magnanimity of humanism and service for the downtrodden. This work has no interest other than the grace of Almighty. We find many a people who are interested in promoting philanthropists. Development project should not be centred for the beneficiaries only, the interest of the victims also should be considered. The government should not be humiliated being an agency for the projects. This rehabilitation project raises the message that the impact of each project should be addressed. Not only the human problems but the threats to all beings are duly checked up.The media has not given much importance to this project but they have given coverage for this organisation when they met face to face the police while trying to break the embargo at Chengara. Media has been reporting only clashes and mayhem. They should give due consideration to humanitarian activities- Ameer suggested.

Minister N.K. Pemachandran gave away keys of 14 houses built as part of the rehabilitation project. Kowsalya, Muhammed Yaseen and Maimoona of Kayyoor-Cheemeni Panchayat, Faiz of Pulloor-Periya Panchayat, Jameela, Fareeda and Ayisha of Mooliyar Panchayat, Muhammad, Bhavya and Rekha of Kumbadaje Panchayat, Jeevan Raj-Devi Kiran and Soumya Sheni of Enmakaje Panchayat and Ajith Shaji of Badiyadukka Panchayat received the keys. Employement aid has been distributed to Alanthatta Kunjikkannan and Pilavalappil Latheef by former minister Mathew T Thomas and Educational aid has been distributed to Manoj of Kalappuram by KPCC general secretary M I Shanavas. Former minister Mathew T Thomas said that Solidarity has taken the endosulphan threat with serious concern. Endosulphan calamity realises us that calamity occurs parallel to development. We need development not profiteering in a short span, but one that sustain whole living beings and caring –he said.

P. Karunakaran MP, CT Ahammedali MLA, KV Kunhiraman MLA, Kasargode municipal Chairperson Bifathima Ibrahim, Enmakaje Panchayat President A Pushpa, Mooliyar Panchayat President Khalid Bellippadi, Documentary Director MA Rahman, Press Club President Soopi Vanimel, Anti Endosulphan Committee chairman Narayanan Periya, Jamat e Islami District President PK Aboobaker Nadvi, SIO State President PM Salih and Punchiri Club President KB Muhammad Kunhi spoke.

Project coordinator KK Basheer submitted the report and he received a memento from T Arifali. Solidarity state president P Mujeeb Rahman presided over the function. Solidarity state secretaries M Sajid and PI Naushad, Assistant Secretary NK Abdussalam, State Working Committe Members VM Ibrahim, KT Hussain, KA Faisal, Jamat e Islami District Vce Pesident Nasar Cherukara, Scretary CA Moideen Kunhi, Wyanad Dstrict President VP Basheer attended. Solidarity GeneralSecretary KA Shafeek extended welcome and District President KK Ismail expressed vote of thanks to the whole audience and dignitaries who gathered at the function.