“I don’t want to die like this”:NAAM coordinator Dr. S.P. Udaykumar (uranium mining)

vinayak vaish
8 November 2009

Dr.S.P.Udaykumar is an anti-nuclear activist from Tamil Nadu. He is the coordinator of National Alliance For Anti-Nuclear Movements(NAAM) which enjoys the support of organizations like Human Rights Forum (HRF), National Alliance For People’s Movement (NAPM) and Khasi Student’s Union (KSU).

Question (Vinayak): What is NAAM? What are the objectives of your organization?

Answer (Dr. S.P.Udaykumar): NAAM is a platform where all the organizations fighting for a nuclear free India come together. We try to eradicate the nuclear threats that could haunt our children and grandchildren and successive generations. We struggle not to sell India and Indians to foreigners in the name of deals, development, globalization and energy security.,

Question: What inspired you to join this movement? How did you become a part of it?

Answer: Three of my grandparents died of cancer, I have seen the ill-effects of uranium mining from my very own eyes, I do not want my children to die like this. For a matter of fact I myself do not want to die like this. That is the fire which drives me to fight tirelessly. This is inhumane and I don’t want anybody to witness such a death or even worse live in such an environment which paves way for a slow and painful end to human life.

Question: What has been the government’s response to your protests?

Answer: The government has been evasive. It has never paid much heed to our demands. The shameful thing is that the government is exploiting its own people’s illiteracy to serve its monetary interests all in the name of energy security, paying no attention to the health security of itss citizens. It is sad and it hurts.

Question: Everyone is brooding about how great a solution nuke actually is, why do you differ?

Answer: Do you know the waste produced emits radioactive waves which fail to die even after 24,000 years of their onset. They continue to harm us and can have far reaching consequences resulting in cancer and diseases which can become congenital thereby not just harming you as an individual but also generations which you are going to bring in this world. What is the use of such a solution which is not safe?

Question: What do you suggest then if not nuke, what are the options available to us to meet our growing energy needs?

Answer: Renewable and Green technology is capable enough to satisfy human needs and as Gandhi ji said” Nothing can satisfy a man’ greed” be it nuke, thermal, anything. Solar energy has great potential in India. It can cater the needs of the entire country including the northern sates like Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and states of north east India. Wind mills can be installed in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and other places where wind flows at a speed greater than 15km/hr. Tidal and hydro power have got great potential too, options are infinite to be harnessed but only when the government is willing to do the same.

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