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Cauvery Calling Panel 7
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Asian College Of Journalism
6:10
Bhargavi Rao begins her takeaway by recalling the discussion on the extracting industries. She says, "It was about seeing what is the policy and what is the law."
6:11
She explains, "It's really important to go see what the rules say about mining. According to the rules, JCBs are not allowed. Between the High court and others, the Cauvery suffers."
In her concluding statements, Rao articulates her opinions saying, "We should hold the authorities accountable for their actions. Thank you."
6:13
Before moving on to Leo Saldanha's takeaways, N Ram expresses his gratitude towards the panelists for being "disciplined" and "sticking to the time limit, succinctly giving the audience what was discussed in their sessions."
6:15
Saldanha opens by saying that he had a very nuanced discussion about the Cauvery Delta.
6:16
He summarizes his thoughts adding, "When we talk about livelihood and food securities, we also talk about privileges. Ranganathan said, "Planting trees along river banks cannot be thought about." He spoke about understanding the ethos of the Cauvery.
6:17
Taking up the issues and matters discussed by his panelists, Saldanha mentions, "Dr. Ranganathan spoke about the crisis if we are to have a deluge. He spoke not having enough storage capacity as the dam is half-filled with silt."
6:18
He further adds, "The second session chaired by Dr. Devika was inundated by rich anecdotes. The highlight was the debate which I cannot take off my mind."
6:19
He says, "Agro-ecological practices should be encouraged, not an agriculture without analyzing the consequences."
6:21
Dhanya Rajendran briefly interacts with Media Development Foundation Chairman, Sashi Kumar. Kumar says, "The fact is Isha Found and Jaggi have a tremendous effect on mainstream media. There's a troll army in the waiting. We, ACJ, were very clear that we would have a discussion."
6:22
Kumar delves deep into the matter saying, "It's not just about Jaggi Vasudev, but the way that a section of mainstream media behaves. It doesn't behave like a healthy pluralistic media."
6:23
Adding to Kumar's views, Leo Saldanha says, "The state, despite being powerful doesn't do things like this. I am not dismissing the idea of populism, but scrutiny which has made reforms possible is lacking."
6:25
N Ram takes another question from Rajendran, "How do the mainstream media and other sections of the media react to Jaggi?"
Responding to this, Saldanha states, "Open transparent and critical conversations are being marginalized."
6:28
Saldanha continues, "Critical inquiry is required because, if you delve into matters deeply, you can see that there are no trees to give."
6:33
N Ram answers in this regard and says, "No, they're doing the wrong thing. They might be misinformed, but it's not just that. Godmen put out something, and political establishments largely, are subservient to them. You cannot have equality of the law, if such public reverence is in place. That is not the way secularism should be practised. If you read the Bommai judgement, it makes clear what Secularism is in the Indian context. Its not just physical fear. If you don't take the side of public opinion, that is also a fear."
6:36
A member of the audience questions, "Cauvery has ecological and cultural issues which need to be resolved. Who has more responsibility to solve the issues? The government or the people?"
6:37
Responding to the question, Easa says, "The government should act for the people and in the current context, the whole thing should come from the people. The government should be of the people."
6:38
Rao too, states her observations,"We've trusted the government too much. We don't go and fight for anything, so it is important for people to go and fight for what is in the law."
6:39
Saldanha further explains,"There is no land being acquired. The MOU gives Sadhguru the permission to plant trees but not on the banks. Even the state is not allowed to do that."
A student of the Asian College of Journalism asks, "Should bypassing land acquisition be seen as a big issue?"
6:40
Saldanha responds, "A collective effort should be taken to excavate all the documents hidden away. It will be an effective way of making the state accountable."
6:46
Leo Saldanha and his take against the Elevated Corridor:
Bhargavi Rao states her remarks and thoughts. She is of the view, "It all has to start in the catchment area and sand mining has to stop, if we wish to save the Cauvery. If one metre is issued by the government, several meters are encroached. These issues should be dealt with. Planting trees is not going to solve the issue."
6:47
Leo Saldanha suggests a number of ways to combat this issue. "Every district in the Cauvery region has to have District Development Plans which would in turn help build a larger meta plan for the state," he says.
6:49
He adds,"The states should not look at each other as opposing elements. A collective effort should taken. Large scale projects are not the solution."
6:51
Bhargavi Rao chips in, "In West Bengal where there is no water, they have to grow paddy. We need to learn from the existing good examples and live."
6:54
Answering a question from the audience, N Ram says, "Part of the answer is develop mumbo jumbo. It's usually these godmen, their moral authority backed by financial muscle. The trend is that some behave like slaves."
6:56
He adds,"They have develop this mystique which should not be underestimated. Being an atheist, it's easy for me to say this. Some of them have done good work, but in case of mega projects, they become obsessed with it. On a small scale these things can be managed but when a huge number of Shri Shri's are there, it's a little difficult."
6:59
The session concludes with the Dean of Studies at the Asian College of Journalism, Dr Nalini Rajan delivering the vote of thanks and expressing her gratitude towards all the speakers for their enlightening discussions.
7:00
This concludes the discussions on "Interrogating Cauvery Calling."
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