Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Real Picture of Arsenic Pollution In West Bengal, India
The total family member is (four). They are all affected by Arsenic. Yes. It is true.
Last Month, On March, 2011, I have visited 3 arsenic affected district of West Bengal, India to make a documentary film on Arsenic Pollution in Drinking Water. The Three districts are 1) North 24 parganas, 2) Murshidabad & 3) Maldah. During visiting this three districts, I have earned a worst experience.
First, I have gone the village, named, Sutiya, North 24 Parganas district. Here I talked with Mr. Jagabandhu Mandal who is affected by the arsenic. His wife, mother & son are also affected by Arsenic. Last year his father also died by affecting the arsenic.
Sanatan Mandal, who is a cancer patient due to arsenic pollution, lived in Purba Plalta, in North 24 Parganas districts. He aggressively told me (please see my documentary) that, “Why you come to my home? Many people (NGOs) are using us to do business”. By profession, he was a Bidi worker. Now he lived under the below poverty line owning to he has done so many loan to get a little treatment. His wife inform me that, his husband’s daily earning was 23 rupees only. “To save his life, we have loan beyond our financial capacity. But we could not save his life”
In the Murshidabad districts, in a family 9 persons died by arsenic. Saira Bewya, the family member of that family informed me, “My father-in-law, Mother-in-law, husbands, sons & daughters are died by affecting arsenic”.
In the Malda district, Mr. Tofajul hussain (above Photo), informed me that, he lost his leg(above photo). Now he is a cancer patient. More pathetic is that, the rest of family are also affected by the arsenic & he is only earning member of the family. His daily income is 30 rupees only.
Here I just describe only four arsenic affected family’s conditions. These families are lived under the below poverty line. They all are informed me that they have not the facility where they can get arsenic free water. In the villege, Purba Palta, North 24 Parganas districts, the villagers dug the soli in front of my camera to show me the water pipe which few years ago the state government took the initiative to provide arsenic free water to the villagers. But the water pipe line has gone under the soil due to lack of proper maintenance. They also argue that many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has gone to them and assured them to provide arsenic free water. But they (NGOs) do nothings.
These arsenic affect people are just waiting for their death!
