2009

Report of the seminar on “Environmental toxicity and its Impact on Health in Punjab with special reference to Uranium” held at Faridkot (Punjab) INDIA on 3rd May 2009.

Concerned over the effect of uranium among some children in Faridkot, a demand for deeper study to detect uranium level among the people of Punjab and determine the source of the heavy metal was made in a seminar at Faridkot. Participants in the seminar on “Environmental toxicity and its Impact on Health in Punjab with special reference to Uranium” organized by Indian Doctors For Peace and Development (IDPD), Indian Medical Association (IMA), Environmental Health Action Group of Kheti Virasat Mission and Baba Farid Centre for Special Children, Faridkot on 3rd May 2009 expressed grave concern at the high level of Uranium in Punjab hitherto unknown for any such activity. They demanded that studies should be conducted on the general population to detect Uranium level in the people of Punjab. Report, that the high level of Uranium in the water samples in Bathinda could be from the Granite Mines in Bhiwani (Haryana) is even more serious matter to be pondered over. There is also a possibility that this Uranium content has come from the Uranium used by the American forces while bombarding the bombs with depleted uranium on Afghanistan. The study conducted by the IDPD on the health status of indigenous people around Jadugoda Uranium Mines in Jharkhand has confirmed a definite impact on the health of the people living around uranium mines. This raises serious thinking on the very concept of use of nuclear energy for civilian purpose. It is ironical that no epidemiological study is carried out before digging any mine in our country. This holds true for the Uranium mines and nuclear facilities as well. The seminar had presentations on “Health Hazards of Uranium” by Dr.M.K.Mahajan, Prof. and Head of department of Radiotherapy at Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana; “Health Hazards of Use of Depleted Uranium” by Dr.Santokh Singh, veteran leader of IDPD and past President IMA Punjab; “Is it safe to use Uranium for civilian purpose?”, by Shri.Praful Bidwai and “Long term implications of trade in Uranium” by Shri.Achin Vanaik. Praful Bidwai, and Achin Vanaik brought to light the “recklessness” with which the Indian government is going ahead with nuclear energy programme without any consideration for safety and health of the people living in the vicinity of uranium mines and plants. Dr. Daljit Singh, a leading eye surgeon of international fame cautioned to beware of the machinations of the US administration whose policies are to subjugate the developing countries. The 9/11 World Trade Centre event was also masterminded by the CIA, he said.

The seminar was inaugurated by Dr.S.S. Gill, Vice Chancellor Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot and chaired by Dr.Jairoop Singh Vice Chancellor Central University, Bathinda. Dr.Amar Singh Azad introduced the subject. Dr.S.S.Brar, Secretary IMA Faridkot welcomed and Dr.P.S.Brar Secretary IDPD moderated the inaugural session. The presentations were followed by a lively discussion in which Dr. Inderjit Kaur, Ms.Karuna Raina, S.Inderjit Singh Khalsa and Dr.Harish Babu took active part. Dr.Arun Mitra General Secretary IDPD and Vice President IMA Punjab, Dr.H.S.Narang Secretary IMA Punjab and Sh.Umender Dutt Director Kheti Virasat Mission concluded the seminar on the note of continuing the debate and to impress upon the state and the central government to effectively intervene to safeguard health of the people and not to venture any nuclear reactor in Punjab. They demanded that epidemiological studies be carried out before digging any mine or installing any such plant where there is a danger of radiation.