A Narmada Diary.........Excerpts from "A Village Smiles" is a government documentry.A 1919 on state controlled.It is a joint venture of ( Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan,Madya Pradesh).Sardar sarovar Narmada ghati Pariyojana together built dam on narmada river.
In Maharashtra Advasis (original inhabitants)celebrate Holi Festival, 10050 official,37 hector of land and many people and if the dam is built many people will drown.
Gigantic Narmada will be the cause of it. It will displace many people. People are protesting against it.People are opposing it. Baba Amte in 1990 protested in Gujarat. People have right to live.People question the functioning of governmentBusinessman, Politicians said it isd necessary to build a dam for progress.People gave naras also.Medha Patkar was the one who strongly opposed it and supported the protestors.She worked hard for it.Prathiba Sharma also protested. Because of it government agreed to give compensation. Manibeli village was a symbol of struggle. Government sand police to shift people. But people were adamant People said "WE MAY SLIP BUT WE WONT SHIFT"... People were badly beaten up and even jailed and injured, even women also were badly injured.
In November- 1992 - World Bank President came to Mumbai, Medha Patkar and protestors went to meet himbut he refuse and people opposed him. Police assult activist and injured them and finally in March 1993 World Bank withdrew the budget people celebrated it.
In 1993 in Mumbai Medha Patkar protested and guided the moment, she also went on hunger strike and many strikers were arrested and government promised the complete review of the project.
But there was no progress and no measures taken. Jal Samarpan was declared several activist including Medha Patkar were suppose to jump in Narmada river.Many people gave their life. Issue was debatable Medha Patkar won the long struggle.
Medha Patkar even had talks with the Union Minister of Environment Kamal Nath. But there was no conclusion drawn from it. As the talks remained half way.
But Gujarat is united on Narmada issue.
And the struggle for "Narmada Bachao Andolan" still continues............
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