Can mine owners be the new heroes? "He who drinks, throws up solution" - Confucius
By Cecil Pinto Last week, at a press conference "to express solidarity with the villagers of Colamb in their battle against the marauding mining companies", fashion designer, writer and activist Wendell Rodricks announced that he would "neither entertain nor hang out with politicians or corporate honchos, whose mining firms were wrecking hell on indigenous Goans". He also stated he would "not share a dais with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat", who he claimed was directly responsible for the excesses against tribals by mining companies as he holds the Mining portfolio. Bravo! This was a long time coming. I have often thought that a social boycott and stigmatizing of politicians, illegal miners and all such known criminals would be a good first step to send a message across. As it is our voting patterns are a joke. We talk no end about how corrupt the current lot of politicians are and then we vote the same crooks into power again and invite them to inaugurate things and give away prizes. Maybe this social boycott approach will work. I though to myself, "What can I do to support Wendell's gesture?" I don't know any MLA or minister personally so the question of entertaining them does not arise. Or maybe I could throw a party for Desmond's First Holy Communion and then specifically send a note to my MLA saying that he is not welcome. Ha! That would be cool. With all these social boycott ideas swirling in my head I went to the local bar. Names of individuals have been changed, specially of those who have wives who don't approve of their husbands socializing with me. My favourite watering hole is dark and stuffy. Everbody knows everybody and interrupting conversations at other tables is the norm. I dramatically brought things to the fore by asking the barman, Somnath, "How can we convince people to stop socialising with politicians and miners?' Manuel, the small-time caterer, ambled over and boomed in Konkani, "I will boycott miners! I will not use miners. In fact miners is bad for this hot climate in Goa. So many times it gets spoilt and then we are blamed. I have told Gracy not to make miners but then clients are insisting…" It took us a few dumbstruck minutes to realize he was talking about mayonnaise, pronounced 'miners' in Konkani. >From the corner of my eye I saw Rahul sauntering in. Now Rahul was much too young to be drinking but mostly he just sips on a beer and is busy sending text messages to his many girlfriends. Somehow through the Chinese whispers at the bar the news reached Rahul. Suprisingly he perked up and came up to our table. "Of course we should boycott miners. All these incidents are spoiling the reputation of Goa. Innocent guys get blamed. Last time my friend was locked up overnight and questioned for no reason. Specially these English and German miners. See what just two miners did to the reputation of Goa. No socializing with miners!" We shooed Rahul away as we realized he was talking about 'minors'. "Will Wendell stop writing for Goa Today magazine?" asked Augusto, "After all it is owned by miners". "Good point" Shyam said, "Maybe we can stop buying Goa Today and Navhind Times and…" Tony interrupted, "Maybe we should stop sending our children to schools and colleges managed by trusts controlled by miners? Maybe we should stop patronizing hotels owned by miners?" Satyavan interrupted "When did you last go to a three star hotel leave alone a five star. Speak about the normal things you do." "Maybe I should tell my relatives to cancel that booking for a flat coming up in a complex built by miners." "We should not attend football matches where teams sponsored by miners are playing!" "My neighbour works for a mining firm. I will not take Our Lady from her house!" "My wife's cousin's son transports ore in his truck. I will not invite him for Ganesh Chaturti!" The atmosphere was getting aggressive. "Oieeeeeeeee!", Somnath exclaimed, "We're getting a bit carried away here. Wendell, I think, called for a boycott of mine owners as individuals and not necessarily their associated businesses or employees." "But since we don't know any miners personally this will be a good way of making a statement, no? Their businesses and employees are finally tainted by the money made from mining, no?" "You guys are making the classic activist error of wanting to use cell phones and not wanting cell towers. The world needs mining. We need mining, and not just for the economy. Look around you. See how many things are made from mined metals like iron. How will we get iron if we don't have mines?" "So mining is good now?" "Illegal mining is bad. It's raping our land. I am sure that concerned people like Wendell are well placed to convince their miner friends to form a body that identifies the mercenary miners who are operating illegally. These mines should be closed immediately and the mine owners severely penalised." "Next all parties have to sit around the table and talk about sustainable mining. See right now is a perfect time. The global meltdown means there is no demand for steel and hence ore. Mining is no longer very lucrative. Every legitimate mine owner in Goa has made more then enough money for the next seventeen generations. They have also diversified into other non-mining activities that will keep them rich for many more generations. The time is good now for them to stop all mining that destroys the environment. Keep this in mind, that the miners' children and grandchildren are not going anywhere from Goa. They too are stakeholders in the community and aren't interested in raping Goa, unlike the renegade illegal miners. Rather than boycott them we should identify the good guys within them and work with them to stop mining that is unsustainable. Forget what happened. The mine owners now have a choice. They can be the new saviors of Goa - or have a curse on their family names for eternity." "What about politicians then?" "No! No! That is a different kettle of fish. From the most powerful minister to the smallest mayor and sarpanch, all they are interested in is increasing their own wealth and power through foul means. Boycott them all, and their families. Treat them like the vermin that they are. Throw your shoes at them!" ---------------- The column above appeared in Gomantak Times dated 18th December 2008 ========