yokohama 15th fukushima impact on india

Anthony Dias

Xavier Institute of Social Research MUMBAI

A burgeoning population (a billion plus and increasing!)

Need for Economic growth to lift people out of poverty, malnutrition and chronic hunger, illiteracy

Search for sources of Power ….Nuclear Power

This is controversial and the people of India, especially those affected or likely to be affected are against it

Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster of 1984 lurking in the consciousness of the public

Chernobyl Nuclear Tragedy also fresh in the minds of the people

Fukushima shocked the people of India and the Establishment – it became the wakeup call and continues to be debated

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

1) Fierce debate in the public domain. People genuinely began to doubt the claims made by Governments, Public Companies, Nuclear suppliers.

2) State/Governments in ‘damage control mode’ since a lot of money was invested and there were plans for further investments.

3) Scientific community began to debate the pros and cons of Nuclear energy and Safety

4) NGOs and People’s movements shaken and called for a renewed drive against Nuclear Projects

Worried about the fallout/reaction of the public and NGOs and people’s movement agitating against NPs.

Playing down Fukushima’s damage; claiming that ongoing Indian projects are safest.

Putting out statements by scientists who are already pro-Nuclear

Exhibiting its efforts at a relook of ongoing and existing projects

Sending experts, including India’s former President and ‘Missile Man’ to certify safety of an ongoing project

a) Completed Projects: Renewed protests, expressing renewed fear over safety or specifically focusing on Safety

b) Existing/Ongoing Projects: Expressed genuine fear about Safety; Fresh impetus to movement with new focus being Safety

c) Future Projects: Doubts and Apprehensions

-World social forum

Best wishes from XISR Mumbai