Feature story - September 9, 2004
BHOPAL, India — The International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal (ICJB) today launched Project Chirag an income-generation initiative for young survivors of the world’s worst industrial disaster. The ICJB has decided on having “hope” and “rebuilding” as the key themes for the 20th anniversary of the gas disaster and this is the first such initiative. The project will be carried out by ‘Bhopal ki Awaz’, an organization of people orphaned by the disaster and a constituent of ICJB.
The sun is bright in Bhopal at the launch of Greenpeace's 'Solar Generation'.
A first in Bhopal, this project is also the first initiative of
the Solar Generation, a youth campaign launched by
Greenpeace India. As part of the project, 'Bhopal ki Awaz' has
received 30 photovoltaic solar lanterns and its members have
received training in using them for income generation. The three
members of "Bhopal ki Awaz" currently running the business of
lending out solar lanterns to vegetable vendors are Shahid Noor,
Sanjay Verma and Sadanand.
The solar lamps are charged during the day and rented out in the
evening to vendors in Chhola bazaar for Rs.8 for each lamp for 5
hours. Apart from generating Rs.900 per month for each of the
youngsters in the initial phase of the business, this venture will
help replace petromax and lead-acid battery lanterns with clean,
renewable energy based lanterns. "Sunmin", a Chennai-based
organisation is already running a similar income-generation project
successfully on Chennai beaches.
"Our group was formed to give voice to the demands of the
orphans of the disaster and income generation is a key demand for
us. We are confident that we will be able to run this environment
friendly income generation project and some of us will be able to
earn some steady income. More importantly, it will give us the
wherewithal to continue with our struggle for economic
rehabilitation by the government." said Shahid Noor of Bhopal ki
Awaz.
According to Vinuta Gopal of Greenpeace-India, " Though the
solar lantern project is small compared to the enormity of the
problem of joblessness among the survivors, the Chirag project will
hopefully make the state and central governments take note of the
urgent need for economic rehabilitation."
Champa Devi Shukla, Secretary of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila
Stationery Karmchari Sangh and winner of the International Goldman
Environmental Prize this year, said "We have made plans for several
other income generating environment-friendly projects and are
currently gathering resources and setting up the infrastructure for
their implementation. Hopefully, by December we will have more good
news for Bhopal survivors."
Please visit www.bhopal.net for more information on the
International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal.
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