"A Legacy of Suffering" (by Amiran White)

"We have no choice but to use the groundwater," says Famidia as she gives her 13-year-old son, Faizan, a bath, "we didn't know when we moved that it was contaminated."

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:15:20 +0000

"We have no choice but to use the groundwater," says Famidia as she gives her 13-year-old son, Faizan, a bath, "we didn't know when we moved that it was contaminated."
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There are an estimated 120,000- 150,000 chronically ill survivors of the disaster, and thousands more affected by living in the contaminated neighborhoods around the factory. Each year, on the anniversary of the explosion, survivors and activists gather. They march through the city, asking for clean water and proper health care. They hold rallies outside the main gates to the factory, demanding to be acknowledged.

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:15:20 +0000

There are an estimated 120,000- 150,000 chronically ill survivors of the disaster, and thousands more affected by living in the contaminated neighborhoods around the factory. Each year, on the anniversary of the explosion, survivors and activists gather. They march through the city, asking for clean water and proper health care. They hold rallies outside the main gates to the factory, demanding to be acknowledged.
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Leela, 50, who remembers how even the trees went black and lost their leaves the night of the explosion, marches every year on the anniversary of the tragedy. One of her daughters, Renu, 26, has stunted growth and swellings over her body, her son has diabetes and a growing disorder. "I will continue to march until we get justice, until we get some help. Jobs we can do in our conditions, clean water and healthcare."

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:15:50 +0000

Leela, 50, who remembers how even the trees went black and lost their leaves the night of the explosion, marches every year on the anniversary of the tragedy. One of her daughters, Renu, 26, has stunted growth and swellings over her body, her son has diabetes and a growing disorder. "I will continue to march until we get justice, until we get some help. Jobs we can do in our conditions, clean water and healthcare."
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Om Prakesh, 57, was a policeman near the railway station on the night of the explosion and has now been detailed to guard the old Union Carbide factory where he lives, sleeps and eats for days at a time. "You couldn't walk on the railway platform without stepping on dead bodies," he said of that night, "if I had been working at the factory then, I'd be dead for sure, but now it is OK- the government says its safe."

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:37:25 +0000

Om Prakesh, 57, was a policeman near the railway station on the night of the explosion and has now been detailed to guard the old Union Carbide factory where he lives, sleeps and eats for days at a time. "You couldn't walk on the railway platform without stepping on dead bodies," he said of that night, "if I had been working at the factory then, I'd be dead for sure, but now it is OK- the government says its safe."
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A report by the Centre for Science and Environment in Delhi (CSE) was released Dec. '09, stating the chronic toxicity of the region. This echoed a Green Peace report released in 2004. Both reports state extreme levels of pesticides like lindane, mercury, lead, chromium to name a few, were found both in and around the factory. "The factory site is leading to chronic toxicity, continuous exposure leading to poisoning of our bodies," said Sunita Narain, director of CSE, "the chemicals are leaching into the groundwater and leading to a slow and deliberate poisoning of the residents."

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:37:41 +0000

A report by the Centre for Science and Environment in Delhi (CSE) was released Dec. '09, stating the chronic toxicity of the region. This echoed a Green Peace report released in 2004. Both reports state extreme levels of pesticides like lindane, mercury, lead, chromium to name a few, were found both in and around the factory. "The factory site is leading to chronic toxicity, continuous exposure leading to poisoning of our bodies," said Sunita Narain, director of CSE, "the chemicals are leaching into the groundwater and leading to a slow and deliberate poisoning of the residents."
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Radha's son has cerebral palsy and spends most of his time lying on the roof watching the world, while her husband Hemant, who has kidney failure, lies on his bed in the house. All day long she moves between the two, cooking, cleaning and feeding the family. "He needs a bath today," she says of her son, "but it takes too long and if the water's too cold, he could have a fit (epilepsy), I can't handle that right now. And Hemant has been vomiting all night long again."

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:18:17 +0000

Radha's son has cerebral palsy and spends most of his time lying on the roof watching the world, while her husband Hemant, who has kidney failure, lies on his bed in the house. All day long she moves between the two, cooking, cleaning and feeding the family. "He needs a bath today," she says of her son, "but it takes too long and if the water's too cold, he could have a fit (epilepsy), I can't handle that right now. And Hemant has been vomiting all night long again."
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"I used to worry about being a good wife, cooking and cleaning, rushing around trying to keep things tidy. But now I know it is more important to be with my children- the rest will survive," said Bhavna, a gas survivor, who's 6-year-old son has cerebral palsy.

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:19:01 +0000

"I used to worry about being a good wife, cooking and cleaning, rushing around trying to keep things tidy. But now I know it is more important to be with my children- the rest will survive," said Bhavna, a gas survivor, who's 6-year-old son has cerebral palsy.
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Bhavana miscarried 3 times after Sambhav and though she was able to have one more child, she has been plagued with many reproductive issues. Most of the women who were around during the gas explosion have menstrual problems, but the issues with the young women living in the known water-contaminated areas has increased to phenomenal proportions.

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:20:25 +0000

Bhavana miscarried 3 times after Sambhav and though she was able to have one more child, she has been plagued with many reproductive issues. Most of the women who were around during the gas explosion have menstrual problems, but the issues with the young women living in the known water-contaminated areas has increased to phenomenal proportions.
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Prembai, 70, pours milk down her son, HemantÕs throat. ÒWhat we saw, what we went through that night was horrific, too much suffering. I was blinded by the gas, and had to have an eye operation. IÕve lost one child already because of that night. But now, many years later, and the suffering hasnÕt stopped.Ó

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:22:30 +0000

Prembai, 70, pours milk down her son, HemantÕs throat. ÒWhat we saw, what we went through that night was horrific, too much suffering. I was blinded by the gas, and had to have an eye operation. IÕve lost one child already because of that night. But now, many years later, and the suffering hasnÕt stopped.Ó
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After Karan was born, when it became apparent that his growth was abnormal, they went to a doctor at the Bhopal Memorial Hospital & Research Centre mini clinic near their home. "He told us that nothing could be done and we should leave him for the Gods," remembers his mother, Radha.

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:22:30 +0000

After Karan was born, when it became apparent that his growth was abnormal, they went to a doctor at the Bhopal Memorial Hospital & Research Centre mini clinic near their home. "He told us that nothing could be done and we should leave him for the Gods," remembers his mother, Radha.
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"The doctors here (in Bhopal) know very little about Sambhav's condition," said Bhavna, "and there are so many children like him since the tragedy. They all say nothing can be done. But what we need is research. There's been no research done on the children and they are suffering because of it."

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:22:30 +0000

"The doctors here (in Bhopal) know very little about Sambhav's condition," said Bhavna, "and there are so many children like him since the tragedy. They all say nothing can be done. But what we need is research. There's been no research done on the children and they are suffering because of it."
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13-year-old Faizan's condition is gradually worsening, a year ago, he was able to sit outside his home and fly a kite. Now he aches when he sits too long and spends most of his time in front of the television, watching any movie that his favourite actor, Salman Kahn is in.

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:24:06 +0000

13-year-old Faizan's condition is gradually worsening, a year ago, he was able to sit outside his home and fly a kite. Now he aches when he sits too long and spends most of his time in front of the television, watching any movie that his favourite actor, Salman Kahn is in.
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Mavis, 6, is mentally challenged, cannot speak and has curvature of the spine. The Union Carbide factory is just across the road from the family home and Mavis' grandmother remembers the night of the explosion well. "It was like someone was burning chilies, Our eyes and lungs hurt so much. We ran. People were screaming, vomiting, dropping dead around us."

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:35:09 +0000

Mavis, 6, is mentally challenged, cannot speak and has curvature of the spine. The Union Carbide factory is just across the road from the family home and Mavis' grandmother remembers the night of the explosion well. "It was like someone was burning chilies, Our eyes and lungs hurt so much. We ran. People were screaming, vomiting, dropping dead around us."
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Nitin, 4, has very bad eyesight and needs glasses, a body that twitches uncontrollably and he still has no toilet sense, his 6-year-old sister is showing all the signs of cerebral palsy, though she's never been formally diagnosed.

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:35:12 +0000

Nitin, 4, has very bad eyesight and needs glasses, a body that twitches uncontrollably and he still has no toilet sense, his 6-year-old sister is showing all the signs of cerebral palsy, though she's never been formally diagnosed.
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Rukhsar is 10-years-old but has the mental capacity of a 4-year-old. The family live next door to the factory and on their doorstep is one of Union CarbideÕs Solar Evaporation Ponds (SEPs)- created by the company in order to dump their toxic waste. Between 1969 and 1984, the factory got rid of its waste in apporximately 22 acres worth of pits, both inside and outside of the factory walls. The waste has since leeched into the soil and contaminated the groundwater. The family drink from the well and Rukhsar's mother, Satari, says she is constantly suffering from headaches, chronic abdominal pains and irregular menstrual cycles. Her second child died after one month. "I curse the day we moved here," said Satari.

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:35:12 +0000

Rukhsar is 10-years-old but has the mental capacity of a 4-year-old. The family live next door to the factory and on their doorstep is one of Union CarbideÕs Solar Evaporation Ponds (SEPs)- created by the company in order to dump their toxic waste. Between 1969 and 1984, the factory got rid of its waste in apporximately 22 acres worth of pits, both inside and outside of the factory walls. The waste has since leeched into the soil and contaminated the groundwater. The family drink from the well and Rukhsar's mother, Satari, says she is constantly suffering from headaches, chronic abdominal pains and irregular menstrual cycles. Her second child died after one month. "I curse the day we moved here," said Satari.
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Rajini, 25, was ostracized from her husbandÕs family after both her children were born with disabilities. Rajni comes from a small village many miles from Bhopal, however, 8-years-ago she married Navneet and as is Indian custom, moved into his parents' house in the water-contaminated colony of Shivshakti Nagar near Union Carbide's solar evaporation ponds. These ponds were the company's dumping ground for all their toxic waste. Rajni's in-laws blame her for their disabled grandchildren and say she has brought bad luck into their family.