( The below two articles and the pictures are the intellectual property of Sri. Ganesh Behera and are published with his permission.)
Dongrias Appeal to the Prime Minister
Monday, August 30, 2010
Bissam Cuttack: Rally by Kurli Bikash Parishad
The Dongria Kondh Tribes inhabiting the remote Niyamgiri Hills which has been hitting the National as well as International headlines; first for the proposed mining lease of the Orissa Mining Corporation and now for the cancellation of the same by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India based on incorrect facts. Attached with this blog is a Photograph of the memorandum signed and faxed by the Dongria Brethren to the Prime Minister of India requesting the cancellation of the decision pronounced by the MoEF, GoI with regards to denying Niyamgiri to be mined being provided to the Tahasildar. This letter justifies the fact that the Tribes are in support of the Corporate Houses’s initiatives for development and growth in the region through industrialization, infrastructural development, health initiatives, sustainable livelihood programmes and education initiatives for the localites. It is also the reflection of the fact that over all these years, it was being misinterpreted by the Civil Society as well as the Political establishment that the Dongria Kondhs had no aspirations for development and continued to lead a life of poverty and disgrace. Amongst the prominent community members handing over a copy of the memorandum to the Tahasildar were Tunia Jekasika, Nabaghana Wadakka, Purna Takiri, Suresh Wadakka, Daddi Hikakka etc.
Monday, September 01, 2010
Muniguda: Rally by Dangaria Bikash Parishad
The Dongria Kondh Tribes of Muniguda site inhabiting the remote Niyamgiri Hills which has been hitting the National as well as International headlines;Now the people came forward on the
Leadership of Saranga Kadraka EX-MLA,Drika kadraka-President of Dangaria Bikash Parishad with the tribal people to oppose the cancellation of the Phase 2 clearance by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India based on incorrect facts. Attached with this blog is a Photograph of the memorandum signed and faxed by the Dongria People to the Prime Minister of India requesting the cancellation of the decision pronounced by the MoEF, GoI with regards to denying Niyamgiri to be mined being provided to the BDO ,Muniguda . This letter justifies the fact that the Tribes are in support of the Corporate Houses’s initiatives for development and growth in the region through industrialization, infrastructural development, health initiatives, sustainable livelihood programmes and education initiatives for the localities. It is also the reflection of the fact that over all these years, it was being misinterpreted by the Civil Society as well as the Political establishment that the Dongria Kondhs had no aspirations for development and continued to lead a life of poverty and disgrace. Amongst the prominent community members handing over a copy of the memorandum to the BDO are Ex MLA-Saranga Kadraka,President-Drika Kadraka,Ranga Kadraka,Dambaru Palkia,Binayak Naik,Raghu Takri,Prakash Jalaka,Uday Goud etc from all the community.
Jetendra Jakaka ,the 1st BCA student of Dongaria community who was moving last time with Rahul Gandhi at Ijurupa said that they need development. They need education,Livelihood,infrastructure . Towards development of his area mines is necessary.At beginning he and people were misguided by the Ngo fellows such as Amnesty Internationals,Survival international,Action aid.He has also gone to Nalco and saw all the development of people .Then he convinced and came forwards to make the area developed.As per him Vedanta Aluminum Ltd is a big company who has also working CSR activities for the tribals in the peripheral.CSR department has taken the Education, Health,Livelihood,infrastructure projects in a very good manner. The company is doing very good work by Mobile Health Unit, Leaf plate making ,Tribal orchard for the tribal’s , Free Computer Literacy center, Drinking water for dongarias, Solar light for villages,Roads ,Community centers, giving study facility for 15 dongaria students.GI sheet for dongarias, various Cultural functions.
