Farmer suicides haunt Odisha!

In Odisha: a farmer ends life each 3 and half days, a daily wage labour commits suicide each one and half days, and an unemployed youth takes self life each day.

This is figure for 2014 by the National Crime Records Bureau. This is only statistics, the reality may be more shameful to learn. However it doesn't fail to show us the fact that the current development model has failed the poor and needy...

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The stats: Suicides in 2014 (for state of Odisha)

Total number of suicides: 4160 (1832 F, 2328 M)

Farmer suicides: 102 (4 Females) (5 land owners, 97 sharecroppers and agricultural labours)

Daily wage labours: 205

Unemployed Youths: 360

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Ranjan Panda

Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha

Mahanadi River Waterkeeper (Member, Global Waterkeeper Alliance, New York)

Mob: +91-94370-50103

Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com

Going live on Zee Kalinga TV tonite to discus Drinking Water Issues!

Dear Friends:

Tonite (23rd July) @ 9 PM, I shall go live on Zee Kalinga TV for a discussion on drinking water problems in Odisha.

Time permitting, please watch. Thanks!

Ranjan Panda
Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha
Mahanadi River Waterkeeper(Member, Global Water Keeper Alliance, New York)
Mob: +91-94370-50103
Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com

Going Live on Prameya New 7 TV to talk about Cyclone Affected Districts of Odisha!

Dear Friends: 

In a few minutes from now at about 11 am, I shall go live (over phone) on Prameya News7 TV to discuss on cyclone prone districts of Odisha! 

Thanks...

Ranjan Panda

Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha

Mahanadi River Waterkeeper (Member, Global Waterkeeper Alliance, New York)

Mob: +91-94370-50103

Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com

Going live on Prameya TV to discuss Odisha's Green Energy Policy!

Friends: Will go live (over phone) @11.30 AM today, on Prameya News TV, to discuss about Odisha govt.'s Green Energy Policy...Thanks!

Ranjan Panda

Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha

Mahanadi River Waterkeeper(Member, Global Waterkeeper Alliance)

Mob: +91-9437050103

Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com

6 farmers end life in six and half months: Bargarh district’s telling woes…

Farm distress takes another farmer's life in Bargarh. Failure in paddy procurement system and lack of a supportive govt forced debt ridden Haripal Budhia (45) to end life. The total toll of farmers heads reaches to 6 just in six and half months.

They marketed Hirakud canals as carriers of prosperity. Yes they are true, the Hirakud reservoir now brings prosperity to Aluminium industries, Coal fired Power Plants and other factories. The farmers are left to suffer!

Ranjan Panda

Mahanadi River Waterkeeper

Mob: +91-9437050103

Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com

WIO's Mahanadi River Basin Initiative: Pollution of River Jira at Bargarh city - citizen's survey today!

Today we will have our second round of Citizen's Survey in Bargarh to understand pollution of River Jira due to urban wastes...

It is as part of our 'Healthy Rivers Happy Cities' campaign under Mahanadi River Basin Initiative!

Look forward to a learning experience...

Thanks & regards,

Ranjan Panda

Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha

Mahanadi River Waterkeeper(Member, Global Waterkeeper Alliance, New York)

Fishermen out, Industries in: The Hirakud Reservoir case!

Thousands of fishermen families can go to hell: A few Industries have the right over Hirakud Reservoir -

Privatization of Hirakud Reservoir is killing local fishermen. Take for example the case of two industries, Vedanta Aluminium Ltd. and Bhusan Steels & Power Ltd.  

They are drawing water through intake wells from deep inside the reservoir.  However, they have illegally cordoned a bigger stretch of the reservoir with their security forces.  

This has restricted the entry of local fishermen into the reservoir from that area.  Ironically these fishermen had been displaced by the Dam 67 years ago and have been depending on fishery from the reservoir for their livelihood. 

The industries have proved to be bane in another aspect as well.  The reservoir is highly polluted due to them and that has reduced the fish population drastically already.  Repeated plea before authorities by the poor folks have gone unheard.

Ranjan Panda

Mahanadi River Waterkeeper

Mob: +91-9437050103

Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com