3, January 2007 Nuclear Hazards in India
Largely ignored in the ongoing debate of India’s emergence as a nuclear energy and nuclear weapons nation is the accompanying human cost. The only source for uranium, the raw ingredient for nuclear energy production, is Jadugoda, a small tribal village in a mineral-rich Jharkband (formerly Bihar). The health of the indigenous people of that area has been devastated and the environment destroyed by ongoing mining operations. In an effort to resist the unwelcome intrusion of the uranium mine operators into their lives, the villagers have collectively organized themselves into JOAR, - Jharkhandi Organization Against Radiation. JOAR’s goals are to demand better safety measures against radiation exposure, protection of their environment and opposition to open-cast uranium mines.
The organizers have made a low budget ground-breaking documentary, called “Buddha Weeps in Jadugoda", which shows the grotesque health hazards of uranium mining .The documentary was recently shown at Stanford University and many of the scenes shown invoked strong responses of outrage. Grassroots activists Ghanshyam Birulee and Dumku Murma, from JOAR, and Shriprakash, the filmmaker were present at the screening to furnish additional details. The film depicted the casual attention applied to the transportation of the refined uranium ore or yellow cake, in leaky barrels which was spewing large amounts of lethal radiation. We Indo-Americans have become so enamored and excited at finally gaining admission to the exclusive nuclear club that the attendant health hazards and environmental devastation are all but ignored. This does not bode well for India’s future.
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