Need for rapid Industrialisation in Orissa

[NK Mishra]

It is high time for the Oriyas and the Orissa Government take serious steps to convert this so called land of poverty to an industrialized state. It is really pathetic to see numerous projects plans and NGOs emerging in the name of Orissa's development and finally vanishing after getting their own benefits.

Main reason behind Orissa's plight is the lack of thought leadership who can bring prosperity to Orissa. I dont think the Orissa leadership have the courage to dream to make the state in a economic power house of the country. We Oriyas satisfy ourselves with minimum achievement and lets accept the fact. But we need to change the mindset of people that the progress and prosperity can only be achieved though hard work and sacrifices. Fortunately Orissa has rich minerals and thus has a very good chanceto convert the state to an economic progressive state. We know we are seriously lacking entrepreneur skill and by allowing big FDIs into the state will initially change the mindset of the people and create wealth for them and for their families. Subsequently we can see more professional entrepreneurs will take the leadership towards wealth creation inside the state. It is nice to see the tens of Steel plants mushrooming in Orissa.

Any other thoughts most welcome.

[srinidhi]

I support the industrial revolution. But I would prefer more IT firm to invest in Orissa. The software/IT sector would be of great revenue source for Orissa Government. Again the educated mass will be benefited a lot. Unemployment can be eradicated to a great extent. I can not figureout why there is a hesitation for FDI? Oriyas will be benefited to much high extent.
But the industrialisation must be in harmony with Orissa's environment. Protection against severe pollution is the first and foremost action to be taken. People of Orissa are very intelligent but due to lack of proper scope they are not able to implement their skills. But you can find the Oriyas around the globe as highly placed decission makers. So it's high time we strive to make Orissa a great industrial state.

[jatin]

there is no alternaative to industrialization if orissa has to achieve even moderate levels of development. but sadly the people of orissa have still not attained the maturity to understand its importance. the economic condition of orissa is the worst in the country, because ofhte geat debt trap it is in. most of the oriyas are unaware of this state of its economic health. they think orissa is very great state. thier eyes have to be opened. if people realise why orissa is called a "financial titanic " , no worthy son of the soil will oppose industrialisation.

[tukun]

Hi Jatin,
i do agree with ur openning .We should accelerate ourself to industrialize our state.we should not oppose those steps taken by our govt.i do not understand why we r not allowing to industries to setup.,why we are opposing.its very sad.Some are opposing bcz of environment,but i gonna ask them one question"What ll u do with ur environment if u r not getting food 2 times day,not able to educate u r children".Its very unfortunate that our people are still immature.i would like to remind you that 50% oriyas are still illeterate.we are the 2nd poorest state in India next to Bihar.Dont feel proud of this facts.But this is true.

[subash mishra]

small scale indistries in orissa are not developin due to lake of technich .

[harabilash]

i agree with you completely on this issue.but cant agree on the leadrship issue.this CM' office is the best ever as far as dreaming big is concerned. but every leadership needs a sensible opponent and conducive environment to realise the dream.his people should realise and accept his vision.otherwise every industrial dream will go the SINGUR- TATA waY.and it was completely west bengal's loss..the CM has done substantially attracting some of the biggest international names like POSCO and mittals and getting the largest ever FDI in indian history to orissa.now he has to sustain the effort with support from other concerned sources. lets hope that he doesnt get embroiled in the political system and gives us a better orissa. fingers crossed...

It is high time for the Oriyas and the Orissa Government take serious steps to convert this so called land of poverty to an industrialized state. It is really pathetic to see numerous projects plans and NGOs emerging in the name of Orissa's development and finally vanishing after getting their own benefits.

Main reason behind Orissa's plight is the lack of thought leadership who can bring prosperity to Orissa. I dont think the Orissa leadership have the courage to dream to make the state in a economic power house of the country. We Oriyas satisfy ourselves with minimum achievement and lets accept the fact. But we need to change the mindset of people that the progress and prosperity can only be achieved though hard work and sacrifices. Fortunately Orissa has rich minerals and thus has a very good chanceto convert the state to an economic progressive state. We know we are seriously lacking entrepreneur skill and by allowing big FDIs into the state will initially change the mindset of the people and create wealth for them and for their families. Subsequently we can see more professional entrepreneurs will take the leadership towards wealth creation inside the state. It is nice to see the tens of Steel plants mushrooming in Orissa.

Any other thoughts most welcome.

[kadampa]

This is an article written by Late Rajendra Sadangi who was convener of "LOK PAKHYA" in Orissa. It deal specifically with the situation in Kalinganagar but has a much wider understanding of the politics behind this kind of rushed industrialisation in
Orissa.


Kalinganagar Beckons



What does the Kalinganagar uprising mean to people’s struggles against displacement? Several peoples’ movements across the country have established that what is development according to the Government is actually destruction for the majority. That such majority opinion is unable to express through electoral politics signals failure of the model of democracy. This essay is not meant to deliberate on that. The Kalinganagar movement launched under the leadership of Bistapan Birodhi Janmanch, Sukinda is now famous throughout India. This is not just because 13 Adivasis have laid down their lives while fighting for their lands. Many have done that in the past. Kalinganagar is different because from the day the brutal police firing took place on 2nd January 2006, jointly planned and executed by the TATAs and Government of Orissa, the Adivasis instead of being intimidated launched a resistance movement by blocking the nearby express highway connecting the mines of Orissa with the sea port at Paradeep which continues till date. The road blockade continues irrespective of growing pressure from the Government in various forms including the promise of an attractive R&R package. The MLA from the area, who is the State Finance Minister and the chief facilitator of large-scale displacement, has been unsuccessful irrespective of several attempts. In the name of peace committees persons working for the TATAs raised the bogey of inconvenience to local people. This had little impact. While the road blockade is on, the Government has now invited the Adivasis for discussions contrary to its earlier stand that talks can be held only after lifting of the road blockade. The Adivasis of Kalinganagar continue to wage a heroic struggle and are determined not to leave their lands for construction of any further industries including that of TATAs.

People of Kalinganagar have decided to cling to a secured livelihood and life style that is ensured by their lands, forests and perennial streams which gives them food and allied incomes although there is need for improvements. This they have decided after having direct experience of the Government acquiring more than 10,000 acres of agricultural land, establishment of some 11 small and big industries and rehabilitation by the Government over 12 years since 1992. In 1997 in the midst of a rainy night children, women and old were dragged from their homes, at gun-point which were later crushed by the waiting bulldozers, pushed into police vans and taken to jail to be subsequently thrown into what the Government called the rehabilitation colony. This was how land for the Neelanchal Ispat Nigam, the first steel industry to come up in Kalinganagar, was cleared. According to Government this plant displaced some 634 families. By October 2004 only about 100 people were given contractual employment and without a semblance of rehabilitation more than 500 families had simply vanished from the area. After several small struggles and with information on experiences of the displaced across Orissa, in October 2004 the Adivasis of Kalinganagar reached a very important conclusion …” It is not a case that the Government is not giving proper rehabilitation. In fact the Government is incapable of giving proper rehabilitation to the displaced.” Thereafter the Adivasis of Kalinganagar decided not to part with their land any more as they do not want for them an insecure life style and livelihood which the Government is forcing on them. To hold on to a livelihood of choice is a right of every Indian citizen. A struggle to uphold such a right is a just struggle.

Rapid industrialisation is not acceptable to the people as it is throwing out more people out of their existing employment (agriculture) and is bringing immense stress on the environment as against very little employment, which itself is insecure. The Adivasis are in the forefront to protect nature, to preserve agriculture and to nurture traditional Adivasi culture. Community life, love for nature, accepting any new idea or a person with thorough scrutiny are some of the elementary Adivasi cultural traits that need to be emulated by all. All these are the very basis on which mankind can think of a future. A Struggle to protect nature, agriculture and culture is a just struggle. Kalinganagar Adivasis have demonstrated that mass movement at the place of displacement is the answer to the Governments’ displacement designs. The struggling people of Kalinganagar have not filed a single affidavit at the Commission of Enquiry set up by the Government. They have publicly expressed their unhappiness regarding seeking justice from the courts. Their approach has been to halt displacement physically, force economic losses on the system and be prepared for supreme sacrifices. On 11th April 2006 when the local MLA wanted to forcibly lift the road blockade, more than 500 Adivasis gathered at the blockade point ready to physically face the situation. The Government and the forces of power understand no other language.

The Government has plans to establish several more industries in Kalinganagar and displace several thousands of families. This is part of Rs.3, 50,000 crore-investment plan for the state that Orissa Government claims to have lined up. In the name of rapid industrialisation the mineral wealth of Orissa is being plundered, water is being diverted from agriculture and reserved for industries, lakhs of hectares of forests are being cut and the environment is being subjected to unprecedented stress. Kalinganagar has awakened people across Orissa. They are placing their long-standing demands and challenging the Government ‘if the Government does not fulfil their demands then they would start Kalinganagar type agitation’. Such news is coming from across the state almost every day. The coastal people fighting against the South Korean MNC Posco’s proposed steel plant have declared in front of the martyrs’ funeral site at Kalinganagar that thousands of agitators are prepared to lay down their lives as was done in Kalinganagar. Kalinganagar has become a symbol of resistance against forced displacement. It is for the Government, the industrialists and the intellectuals to understand as to why people are ready to lay down their lives instead of giving their lands for establishment of industries. To rise and speak against unmindful displacement is a task before all patriots and all those who stand for people. People committed to Indian revolution are expected to arouse the masses unitedly. Kalinganagar beckons.

(Author was Convenor, Loka Pakhya, a Bhubaneswar based intellectual forum dedicated to the cause of the people.)

[kadampa]

See the other points of view on the sever repression that is taking place in the name of industrialisation:

Janhastakshep
Campaign Against Fascist Designs

To,
Shri. Naveen Patnaik
Chief Minister of Orissa

25.06.2008

Resolution passed in a meeting of JAN HASTAKSHEP on June 25, 2008 at the Gandhi Peace Foundation.

1. The meeting organized by JAN HASTAKSHEP expresses its grave concern over the hired goons of BJD and the hired goons of TATA led by company officials, who tried to enter the project area at Kalinganagar this morning. Later armed police also tried to enter the project site but retreated on facing stiff resistance from the people.

2. This meeting condemns the Naveen Patnaik government for abetting the TATAS in letting loose a reign of violence against the Kalainganagar people who are resisting forcible acquisition of land. The tense situation is continuing. Barely three months earlier, the Orissa government backed by TATA goons killed an activist of Bistaphan Birodhi Janmanch - Sukinda in order to terrorise the people

We demand:

1. Immediate withdrawal of armed police.
2. Immediate arrest of goons and TATA company officials who entered the disputed site.

This meeting expresses its solidarity with the struggling people of Kalinganagar.

N. K Bhattacharya
Convener, Janhastakshep.

[srinidhi]

I do not have much knowledge on whether the land aquisition is forcible or amicable.
But I would also say that many such disputes are being created by couple of criminals and maoists who try to profit from this. They themselves create hoax that the Government is against people and in turn expect for public sympathy for all thier mis-deeds.

I am also not supporting the Government decissions blindly. But my point is, if you include the word "fighting", "rebellion", etc in your messages, definitely you are not a social creature and you are looking for cheap publicity.

[myorissa]

Dear Friends

I also do not know every details about Kalinga nagar issue. But I understood that for starting such big industry, there will be definitely lots of huddles. This is the again more time consuming, to show off first what company has to do for the people those are getting displace. That should be done with a honestly with considering first of all Envirnment pollution and those people lived there. There should be thousad times of meeting. Some meeting may be no useful, then also company has to keep pataince. Every meeting to documented properly. As it is the very big project, so respected Cheif minister of Orissa, has to spent more time on it even though he is very busy. Fankly such a single hand person our present Cheif Minister Mr. Naveen Pattnaik, he is trying his best by defending the bad politics. Then also we should request to our Cheif minister Mr.Naveen pattanaik to give more close interaction inspite of busyness.

Frankly I opposed always foreign company to enter this type big project. Tata is a group, which most anual profit 50% always giving to Indian charity like engineering school and Universities. Which one foreign company wont do, if they do , they planned how to return more and more. Just analyse tata owner what he will do with the money, as single man respected Mr.Ratan tata. He is a bachelor. People should analyse why he working for big group Tata ? Just imazine can he sleep very well ever day. What for he is doing ? If see other group, there having nice 10 stories palace residence, big jumbo personal flight. Did they do for the public charity. Just they know how to cheat in Government Tax. They keep bad politician with them.

I know in orissa lot of people are like, "Pakhala bhata miligale khaile , soile". Some people are "NiJe Bannchile Bapa Na". Some people like me want to do more and more, sometimes feels very much lonly to do when little huddle came , feearing I may become a joker. And I felt very sad to say, the old retired person in our home what they do, Just sitting in house, make disturbances in the Family as they are seniors, every body has to followed his way of working. Either making diference in there childrens family. If you see in the abroad most of the old retired person, they do more vollenteership. They collect young generation. Try make there habbit to match. They explain there experience.

I am not blaming to all. Now time not to talk more, do slowly something, "DHIRA PANI PATHARA KATE". First of we should very must Honest and try to understand others first, and most important is kind cooperation. No need to spend time every day. Atleast effectively 1 hour a week is very much sufficient for Orissa.

We all are very much selfish ourself. We are not thinking about future children of Orissa. Rich people think as they have money there children will live well, that is wrong . Simply analyse it , you will find you children will go in a wrong direction . It is practcally happening. If you see the day to days News.

Any way I am sorry I may talking too much. Lastly I want to say, right time has came we all orissa people start our revolution with first consideration about Envirnment first and then developemnt of Orissa with Honestly. Even though it slower process, no need worry. Try to unserstand other feelings first and analyse in a group which is good or bad, there should not be ego issue. May not get sucess or loss, even though we got big think is that experience. Thats all.

Thank you very much.

I love my Orissa