[OT]on this weekend: Fims on Naramada struggle

[Anivar Aravind]

Join Us For A Screening Of A Documentary Film On Narmada struggle!..

Time: 6 PM.
Documentary Title: A Valley Refuses To Die.
Date: 21st April, 2006.
Length: 41 minutes.
Venue: SCM House,
Director: K.P.Sasi.
No 29, 2nd cross, CSI Compound
Mission Road, Bangalore 560 027
(Opp. Vintage Hotel).


WATER is a natural resource on which politics and the market economy
have joined hands. In such a context profit and development is put
before the life of citizens. The basic rights of Adivasis and farmers
living around the Narmada Valley are put at risk by the constant
raising of the SSP dam height and poor rehabilitation works.

The Narmada Bachao Andolan, one of the longest running people's
movement in India, began its stern vigil again with the move to raise
the dam height from 110.64 mtrs to 121.92 mtrs. Families submerged at
the 110.64mtrs are yet to be rehabilitated. On 17th April, the Supreme
Court order which while holding that the construction of the Narmada
Dam could go ahead, warned that it would stop the work on raising its
height if the state Governments (i.e. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya
Pradesh) did not carry out adequate and effective relief and
rehabilitation of the displaced people. Following this, Medha and two
other activists of the NBA ended their 20 day fast in Delhi, while
Gujarat CM Narendra Modi also ended his 51-hr mock hunger-strike in
Ahmedabad.

The film "A Valley Refuses to Die" is one of the earliest
documentaries against large dams in India. It has been used
extensively in India and abroad to generate support for the Narmada
Movement. The film centres on the social and environmental issues
caused by the Narmada Dams and subsequent people's movement of the
Adivasis and farmers in the Narmada Valley. It portrays vividly the
scale of destruction which is subjected to wide debate at national and
international level. As we move into a critical juncture in the Indian
history, we need to question the present development model and seek
alternatives. Through the viewing of this film and discussions
afterwards, it is our hope that solidarity with the Narmada Movement
may be revived, sustained and propelled to new heights.

We believe water is a sacred gift of life. It must not be commodified
for private profit. It must remain in public hands.

We express disapproval of water privatization. In the construction of
large dams like the SSP, a section of the Indian population is
displaced without rehabilitation.  We also express solidarity with the
Narmada Bachao Andolan.

We advocate that water should remain a common good. This will ensure
respect to human rights.  A democratic community control over public
water system will guarantee free and fair access to clean water.

Join us! Be Motivated!

Looking forward to your challenging participation, - SCMI- NESA

Ms. Biaki (SCMI)
Ph: 2222371

==================

In solidarity with the resistance in the Narmada valley
pedestrian pictures
in association with the Narmada Solidarity Forum, Bangalore
invites you to
An evening of film screenings and discussions
22 April 2006, Saturday
5.30 pm onwards
SCM Hall, Bangalore
(Student Christian Movement of India, CSI Compound,
Mission Road (behind Unity Buildings), Bangalore)

The films include:
- Medha's speech on breaking her fast on 17 April 2006, New Delhi
- In just land, tandora and pedestrian pictures presentation (18 mins
| 2006 | English / Hindi (subtitled))
- Words on Water, directed by Sanjay Kak (85 mins | 2002 | English /
Hindi (subtitled))
- Drowned Out, directed by Franny Armstrong (75 mins | 2002 | English
/ Hindi / Gujarati (subtitled))

The recent protests by the NBA have yet again highlighted the
callousness with which the Indian State treats adivasis and
marginalized farmers. Despite Medha Patkar's, Jamsingh Nargave's and
Bhagwatibehen's 20 day hunger strike, a damning Group of Ministers'
report, the Government of India and the Supreme Court refused to issue
stay orders to continue with the dam construction.

As we wait for the May 1 hearing in the Supreme Court, it is time to
reflect on the 20-year resistance offered by the Narmada Bachao
Andolan and from a larger perspective, the politics of water in
today's market economy.

Join us.

For further information, call pedestrian pics at 94483 71389, 99860
31428, 98868 00642 or ALF  at 22356845