Cancer in Punjab
Guest blogged by Ajj Kaim
The fact that heavy use of pesticides in farming has left lot of farmers affected with Cancer in Punjab has been well documented. In fact almost a year ago, The Langar Hall had highlighted this sad state of affair in Punjab.
I came across a heartwarming documentary about the situation faced by the farmers called “Cancer in Punjab” by Amarpreet Mann. (See Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 below). It is tragic to see the plight of the farmers who have become unemployed or daily laborers because they have spent all their savings in getting treated for the disease.
As luck would have it Chief minister’s wife, Surinder Kaur Badal, is in the U.S. these days getting treated for Cancer in NY whereas a common man is at the mercy of God.
114 Responses to “Cancer in Punjab”
This is what the overseas community should be bothered about rather than if an Amritdhari should marry another one, or which dera should invite which baba. Poverty, cancer, debt will clean up rural Punjab.
This is what the overseas community should be bothered about rather than if an Amritdhari should marry another one, or which dera should invite which baba. Poverty, cancer, debt will clean up rural Punjab.
Two questions
1) Where did the Uranium come from ?
Some say it from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan .
So the next question are the levels in Pakistani water also high ?
2) Is their data to support that the incidence of cancer has increased or is it our first time awareness?
On the contrary their are enough studies ( phase 111 and metanalysis ) that farmers have a lower incidence of cancer compared to non farmers.
( you may google "farmers and Cancer " and read )
Two questions
1) Where did the Uranium come from ?
Some say it from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan .
So the next question are the levels in Pakistani water also high ?
2) Is their data to support that the incidence of cancer has increased or is it our first time awareness?
On the contrary their are enough studies ( phase 111 and metanalysis ) that farmers have a lower incidence of cancer compared to non farmers.
( you may google "farmers and Cancer " and read )
How can we help these people?
How can we help these people?
this is amaninder pal…i wrote a piece on amarpreet's work in THE TRIBUNE…but couldn't able to contact him as he has gone back to london…..this is link to the story…give me mail amarpreet whnever u gt this at amaninderpal@tribunemail.com
link…. .http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100616/jplus.htm#6
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100616/jplus.h…
this is amaninder pal…i wrote a piece on amarpreet’s work in THE TRIBUNE…but couldn’t able to contact him as he has gone back to london…..this is link to the story…give me mail amarpreet whnever u gt this at amaninderpal@tribunemail.com
link…..http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100616/jplus.htm#6
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100616/jplus.h…
I had heard about the problem of overuse of chemicals both fertilizers and pesticides in India agriculture. This documentary really hit home and brought tears to my eyes. It pains me that the land of our Gurus is in such a state but we hardly hear about this problem in the mainstream media here in India.
All the points raised are valid and we need to look at the problem holistically. As mentioned awareness needs to be raised on proper use and handling of chemicals, health risks and comprehensive studies should be conducted to really assess how deep the problem is.
One thing the documentary didn't talk about is the role of the consumer in agriculture. In the western world the use of organic food is catching up to the point that consumers are insisting on it. However, despite our historical affinity to natural and organic way of life, I don't see much consciousness about this in the people today. Maybe that is another area to promote awareness. In a free market system if the consumers promote and insist on organic methods because of health reasons, more producers would recognize the need and be rewarded for their efforts.
Any thoughts?
I had heard about the problem of overuse of chemicals both fertilizers and pesticides in India agriculture. This documentary really hit home and brought tears to my eyes. It pains me that the land of our Gurus is in such a state but we hardly hear about this problem in the mainstream media here in India.
All the points raised are valid and we need to look at the problem holistically. As mentioned awareness needs to be raised on proper use and handling of chemicals, health risks and comprehensive studies should be conducted to really assess how deep the problem is.
One thing the documentary didn't talk about is the role of the consumer in agriculture. In the western world the use of organic food is catching up to the point that consumers are insisting on it. However, despite our historical affinity to natural and organic way of life, I don't see much consciousness about this in the people today. Maybe that is another area to promote awareness. In a free market system if the consumers promote and insist on organic methods because of health reasons, more producers would recognize the need and be rewarded for their efforts.
Any thoughts?
Of course we have to be civil, meaningful democratic and thoughtful debates are the best way to exchange ideas
First, I'm an Indian Sikh living in Bangalore, who has visited Punjab couple of times but doesn't have any nostalgic hangups. Also, I have grown up in India and having seen the poverty, hunger first hand would always work towards practical solutions rather than idealistic ideas.
Second, I'm not sure where are you getting your numbers on cancer rates, could you share some of your sources. Here is a very simplistic 1 min research I tried. Type "cancer rate Punjab" in Google and you will get 385,000 results. Then type cancer rate Karnataka (where I live) and there are 122,000 results. Now this obviously has no relation to the actual ground realities and I understand that. But the point I'm making here is that the problem in Punjab may be a lot more than in other parts in India just based on th fact of how many more news articles, blogs, research articles etc are talking about it.
Lastly, I get the feeding of the hungry stomach a poor will obviously like food right now than any future disease. What we are talking about here is the health of the people who are making the food. Think about it, lets say you go to a restaurant that is really popular and have the best taste and quantity. Then one day the chef and the staff start falling ill one by one, would you think there is something fishy? Would you still continue to eat at that place knowing that the food might have been contaminated.
The issue needs to be looked at more holistically, yes there needs to be more awareness on safety. But safety from what? Are stronger pesticides and richer fertilizers the only solutions? Where is the end to this? The water they drink is damaged because the pesticides and fertilizers are seeping through the ground and polluting the ground water table. The land is becoming too saline and will eventually give up. What kind of safety will we take then? Why do you think they want the Reverse Osmosis water purification installed?
So again, my argument is that More Fertilizers & Pesticides does not translate to more food. The Green revolution was not built on that backs of Chemical companies. One man, Norman Borlaug invented a strain of wheat and rice that increased output multiple times over, that is how we are feeding 6 billion right now and such creative solutions are needed to feed 9 billion. Not more chemicals my brother!
Of course we have to be civil, meaningful democratic and thoughtful debates are the best way to exchange ideas
First, I'm an Indian Sikh living in Bangalore, who has visited Punjab couple of times but doesn't have any nostalgic hangups. Also, I have grown up in India and having seen the poverty, hunger first hand would always work towards practical solutions rather than idealistic ideas.
Second, I'm not sure where are you getting your numbers on cancer rates, could you share some of your sources. Here is a very simplistic 1 min research I tried. Type "cancer rate Punjab" in Google and you will get 385,000 results. Then type cancer rate Karnataka (where I live) and there are 122,000 results. Now this obviously has no relation to the actual ground realities and I understand that. But the point I'm making here is that the problem in Punjab may be a lot more than in other parts in India just based on th fact of how many more news articles, blogs, research articles etc are talking about it.
Lastly, I get the feeding of the hungry stomach a poor will obviously like food right now than any future disease. What we are talking about here is the health of the people who are making the food. Think about it, lets say you go to a restaurant that is really popular and have the best taste and quantity. Then one day the chef and the staff start falling ill one by one, would you think there is something fishy? Would you still continue to eat at that place knowing that the food might have been contaminated.
The issue needs to be looked at more holistically, yes there needs to be more awareness on safety. But safety from what? Are stronger pesticides and richer fertilizers the only solutions? Where is the end to this? The water they drink is damaged because the pesticides and fertilizers are seeping through the ground and polluting the ground water table. The land is becoming too saline and will eventually give up. What kind of safety will we take then? Why do you think they want the Reverse Osmosis water purification installed?
So again, my argument is that More Fertilizers & Pesticides does not translate to more food. The Green revolution was not built on that backs of Chemical companies. One man, Norman Borlaug invented a strain of wheat and rice that increased output multiple times over, that is how we are feeding 6 billion right now and such creative solutions are needed to feed 9 billion. Not more chemicals my brother!
Things we can do
– Demand removal of PAU Vice Chancellor. Writing to prominent media publications will help
– Fund scholarships for Post graduate work in sustainable agriculture in Punjab at Universities in US, UK, Israel, Australia
– Punjabi Oncologists could consider opening a research and medical cancer institute in Punjab. I am only aware of one small, under-funded cancer hospital in Ludhiana.
– Donate an RO system to a village By diverting your charitable donations to this cause for one year
Things we can do
– Demand removal of PAU Vice Chancellor. Writing to prominent media publications will help
– Fund scholarships for Post graduate work in sustainable agriculture in Punjab at Universities in US, UK, Israel, Australia
– Punjabi Oncologists could consider opening a research and medical cancer institute in Punjab. I am only aware of one small, under-funded cancer hospital in Ludhiana.
– Donate an RO system to a village By diverting your charitable donations to this cause for one year
Yes there chemicals in the ground some occur naturally,while some other like u said r pumped in the ground.However the quantity of these chemicals is miniscule,as to hurt the human body.As for water sure some of itis impure but the simple thing to do is boil it or filter it cheaply with carbon/coal and sand.These methods have been there for centuries,instead of using it people make mountain out of molehill.See what happened to the data that was being presented by good hearted environmentalists like ur self.In the end it turned out to be cooked up figures.The earth and its limited resources can take care of itself,so stop worrying and be happy.Yoodle Doo.BTW check out this blog <a href="http://www.punjabitrucker.com” target=”_blank”>www.punjabitrucker.com and enjoy.
Yes there chemicals in the ground some occur naturally,while some other like u said r pumped in the ground.However the quantity of these chemicals is miniscule,as to hurt the human body.As for water sure some of itis impure but the simple thing to do is boil it or filter it cheaply with carbon/coal and sand.These methods have been there for centuries,instead of using it people make mountain out of molehill.See what happened to the data that was being presented by good hearted environmentalists like ur self.In the end it turned out to be cooked up figures.The earth and its limited resources can take care of itself,so stop worrying and be happy.Yoodle Doo.BTW check out this blog http://www.punjabitrucker.com and enjoy.
@Rajinder Singh Virk
I was wondering about the utter ignorance of your comments till your blog link explained it all
@Rajinder Singh Virk
I was wondering about the utter ignorance of your comments till your blog link explained it all
Hmm Rajinder Paji you seem like a guy who lives in Guruji's Chardi Kala and has fun in life, it seems evident from the blog that you have created. So I will try to explain the point with language and examples that you might understand.
Farz karo ke tussi aapna truck mechanic, Santa Singh kol leke jande ho. O twada yaar ve to tussi dono de badi jamde ve. Ek din tussi udi workshop te jande ho te vekde ho ki Santa Singh ji palang te letke gehri sansa lende paiye. Santa kehnda, yaar Rajinder vadi pareshani hagee mainu, 2 haftian wich kuch khada naiye main. Koi ajeeb ji demari hagi ki roti gale to nahi utardi.
Kuch dinna pad Santa singh ji da chalana ho janda we. Phir 2-3 mehniya wichudde prah Banta vi chal basda hain. Workshop wale soche rehnde, kee ho reha hai sade loka noo. Phir ek doctor aake dasda ve ki jeda engine oil twade trucka wich paya si o zeharila seega. Oil company ne te chota akhara wich drum te likha sigga ki oil de andar chemical honde ne lekin kede, e nai dasiya ki o zeharile vi ho sakde ne. Santa te banta roz oil change karka roti pani khande sige, athe paadi da khoon wi workshop de piche seega.
Hun es kahani wich koi vi pura doshi nai, saaria ne choti choti gala nazarandas kitya te udda phal buktiya. Hun dasso tussi ki karoge? Tussi aapne dost Santa de puttar Chotu singh di jaan bacha sakde ho, lekin udde lai nade lonka nu pyar naal asli gal samjhani paugi.. karoge tussi?
Hmm Rajinder Paji you seem like a guy who lives in Guruji's Chardi Kala and has fun in life, it seems evident from the blog that you have created. So I will try to explain the point with language and examples that you might understand.
Farz karo ke tussi aapna truck mechanic, Santa Singh kol leke jande ho. O twada yaar ve to tussi dono de badi jamde ve. Ek din tussi udi workshop te jande ho te vekde ho ki Santa Singh ji palang te letke gehri sansa lende paiye. Santa kehnda, yaar Rajinder vadi pareshani hagee mainu, 2 haftian wich kuch khada naiye main. Koi ajeeb ji demari hagi ki roti gale to nahi utardi.
Kuch dinna pad Santa singh ji da chalana ho janda we. Phir 2-3 mehniya wichudde prah Banta vi chal basda hain. Workshop wale soche rehnde, kee ho reha hai sade loka noo. Phir ek doctor aake dasda ve ki jeda engine oil twade trucka wich paya si o zeharila seega. Oil company ne te chota akhara wich drum te likha sigga ki oil de andar chemical honde ne lekin kede, e nai dasiya ki o zeharile vi ho sakde ne. Santa te banta roz oil change karka roti pani khande sige, athe paadi da khoon wi workshop de piche seega.
Hun es kahani wich koi vi pura doshi nai, saaria ne choti choti gala nazarandas kitya te udda phal buktiya. Hun dasso tussi ki karoge? Tussi aapne dost Santa de puttar Chotu singh di jaan bacha sakde ho, lekin udde lai nade lonka nu pyar naal asli gal samjhani paugi.. karoge tussi?
@ RSV
I don't understand how an organization's work in California is in any way alleviating the cancer struck families in Punjab, which was the topic of blog post.
Instead of dismissing valid scientific evidence with your illogical viewpoints, try to provide constructive opinion / action for people in Punjab. Recognizing that a problem exists may be a good first step.
Also, I did not make fun of any old person. You may be 200 years old but if your comments are suspending a valid discussion and distracting with random links, you'll be called out.
@ RSV
I don’t understand how an organization’s work in California is in any way alleviating the cancer struck families in Punjab, which was the topic of blog post.
Instead of dismissing valid scientific evidence with your illogical viewpoints, try to provide constructive opinion / action for people in Punjab. Recognizing that a problem exists may be a good first step.
Also, I did not make fun of any old person. You may be 200 years old but if your comments are suspending a valid discussion and distracting with random links, you’ll be called out.
@RSV
Keep up the good work
@Harinder
Point has been discussed ad nauseum so won't blow it out but comparing incidence in Maharashtra with Malwa belt of Punjab doesn't cut it. I agree that the evidence is anecdotal but if the entire train has been labeled Cancer Train, the evidence is pretty strong.
A friend of mine is doing his PhD on sustainable agriculture in Punjab at a leading university in UK. He is looking for grant support to collect data and run some pilot programs in Malwa area. I think he is from Barnala area. If you can refer any philanthropists who may be willing to fund his study, that may be very helpful. Thanks.
@RSV
Keep up the good work
@Harinder
Point has been discussed ad nauseum so won’t blow it out but comparing incidence in Maharashtra with Malwa belt of Punjab doesn’t cut it. I agree that the evidence is anecdotal but if the entire train has been labeled Cancer Train, the evidence is pretty strong.
A friend of mine is doing his PhD on sustainable agriculture in Punjab at a leading university in UK. He is looking for grant support to collect data and run some pilot programs in Malwa area. I think he is from Barnala area. If you can refer any philanthropists who may be willing to fund his study, that may be very helpful. Thanks.
hello friends,
first of all thanks to amainder pal who post my documentary to this website, as i am not too good in internet,websites and all.. well there are lots of things to discuss about this problem, in baani we can read ''Apan hathi aapna aape he kaaj swariye… '' so we have to do something, basicaly what is happening in punjab,the whole political,religious and other leaders they not working for society. well we should know about our responsibilities towards our motherland and people. i am not working for any organization or shoshebaazi.. my aim is just expose this issue and i trying my best. in this documentary, camerawork mean shooting, research,editing, travelling,meeting people..everything i did at my own, i have passion about my motherland where i born n grownup, i cant see my people in sach a worst condition. If i get few friends than i have some future plans to educate the people and thinking to register a NGO, education is must, people are really uneducated and its not there falt.
…continue….see 2nd part
…its govt.s responsibility to provide clean water and education. we pretend ourself as the followers of baba nanak but basicaly till now we are unable to understand ''Pawan guru paani pita,maata dharat mahat..''
i am not a preacher and so old who can order other.i am just a normal guy like everyone.but i can request everybody and if i know something i can shout..thats what i am doing about this problem.
now i am finding the ways how t reach UNO and WHO.
…continue…
because in india its wastage of time if you expect something from govt officials and laders,their behaviour is even rude you can not imagin friends..
i am attacting a statment from bbc website aboout lakshmi kanta chawala (health minister punjab) on urainum235 in kids in faridkot. when bbc correspondent asit jolly said what is happening there please give your statment, she replied
"This is not a health subject. We don't know how children are showing such high concentrations of uranium,It is for the central government in Delhi to deal with the problem."
now you tell me what you can expect???? i'll wait for replies but something positive,progressive and practical, not only discuss.its time to wake up friends, the punjabi who survivesin 90's from weapons now they will die with cancer. i am completing my writing with a thought which comes every night before i sleep. even you also think about it.
Punjab is turning into a hotspot of environmental toxicity ,Are We A Dyeing Civilization?
rgard
APS Mann
apsmann.docs@googlemail.com
i made few spelling mistakes in hurry i am sorry for that..
regards
hello friends,
first of all thanks to amainder pal who post my documentary to this website, as i am not too good in internet,websites and all.. well there are lots of things to discuss about this problem, in baani we can read ''Apan hathi aapna aape he kaaj swariye… '' so we have to do something, basicaly what is happening in punjab,the whole political,religious and other leaders they not working for society. well we should know about our responsibilities towards our motherland and people. i am not working for any organization or shoshebaazi.. my aim is just expose this issue and i trying my best. in this documentary, camerawork mean shooting, research,editing, travelling,meeting people..everything i did at my own, i have passion about my motherland where i born n grownup, i cant see my people in sach a worst condition. If i get few friends than i have some future plans to educate the people and thinking to register a NGO, education is must, people are really uneducated and its not there falt.
…continue….see 2nd part
…its govt.s responsibility to provide clean water and education. we pretend ourself as the followers of baba nanak but basicaly till now we are unable to understand ''Pawan guru paani pita,maata dharat mahat..''
i am not a preacher and so old who can order other.i am just a normal guy like everyone.but i can request everybody and if i know something i can shout..thats what i am doing about this problem.
now i am finding the ways how t reach UNO and WHO.
…continue…
because in india its wastage of time if you expect something from govt officials and laders,their behaviour is even rude you can not imagin friends..
i am attacting a statment from bbc website aboout lakshmi kanta chawala (health minister punjab) on urainum235 in kids in faridkot. when bbc correspondent asit jolly said what is happening there please give your statment, she replied
"This is not a health subject. We don't know how children are showing such high concentrations of uranium,It is for the central government in Delhi to deal with the problem."
now you tell me what you can expect???? i'll wait for replies but something positive,progressive and practical, not only discuss.its time to wake up friends, the punjabi who survivesin 90's from weapons now they will die with cancer. i am completing my writing with a thought which comes every night before i sleep. even you also think about it.
Punjab is turning into a hotspot of environmental toxicity ,Are We A Dyeing Civilization?
rgard
APS Mann
apsmann.docs@googlemail.com
i made few spelling mistakes in hurry i am sorry for that..
regards
@APSM
Heartfelt gratitude for bringing this to light. We don't expect better from the ministers so that was not a surprise.
Few questions:
What was your experience with PAU? Do you think they (or anyone on the faculty) have any competence or will to tackle this? You also mentioned DMC if I heard it correct – who funded the studies that they did? Thanks again.
@Sikhsailor
thanks for the support. You can contact University of Reading, deptt of agriculture. Funding will be routed through the deptt to their student (last name Singh) http://www.reading.ac.uk/apd/about/apd-aboutagric…
@APSM
Heartfelt gratitude for bringing this to light. We don’t expect better from the ministers so that was not a surprise.
Few questions:
What was your experience with PAU? Do you think they (or anyone on the faculty) have any competence or will to tackle this? You also mentioned DMC if I heard it correct – who funded the studies that they did? Thanks again.
@Sikhsailor
thanks for the support. You can contact University of Reading, deptt of agriculture. Funding will be routed through the deptt to their student (last name Singh)
http://www.reading.ac.uk/apd/about/apd-aboutagriculture.aspx
Please read this article by a highly regarded Indian magazine ..
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main45.asp?filename=…
Please read this article by a highly regarded Indian magazine ..
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main45.asp?filename=Bu260610freebies.asp
Until unless we dont get proper leader for Punjab who really care about farming on which 70% of Punjab population, this cancer would keep spreading..
Until unless we dont get proper leader for Punjab who really care about farming on which 70% of Punjab population, this cancer would keep spreading..
The Uranium 235 deposits discovered by Dr Carin Smit and Vera Dirr appear to be the consequence of the following: soil exhuastion, overuse of fertilisers and the contamination experienced when reaching the basal layer of the water table (typical water bore depths in the Doaba aquifer are 35-60m).
This occurance is not wholely uncommon in India; the conseqence of utilising water at basal water table rates have been seen to result in widespread arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh and W. Bengal.
The Punjab knows that the present rate of intensive agriculture cultivation is unsustainable, the bumper crop yields of 2008 will never be surpassed; Punjab will have to develop programs in which decreased crop yield is managed.
The short sighted policies of giving free electricity to farmers (powering the prolific japanese bore motors) have directly contributed to this pending disaster. The lack of water metering controls has meant the unfettered use of water – decimating the water table, hence leading to water contamination between radioactive metals and the basal layer.
Its a bleak future, and Punjabi famers know it. Factor in the worldwide increase in average temperatures and the irratic percipation of the monsoon and you have the perfect 'storm' (sic) for Punjab. i.e., Cancer, increase in genetic mutations resulting from radiation, decreasing yields, increase in avearge temp., irractic monsoon, an empty aquifer….Punjab needs another Pratap Singh Kairon and fast!
Tangential on the subject of water and the monsoon; the recent flooding of Ghaggar should be a reminder to how fragile the Punjab region is to the whims of summer percipitation.
May Waheguru help those on the otherside of the border who have having to deal with a 1 in 1000 chance ocurrance of a heavy percipation fall. My genuine sympathies and prayers go out to all the Pakistani effected by this 'biblical' type flooding.
Nanak Nam Chardi Kala Tera Bhae Sarbhat Dha Bhala
The Uranium 235 deposits discovered by Dr Carin Smit and Vera Dirr appear to be the consequence of the following: soil exhuastion, overuse of fertilisers and the contamination experienced when reaching the basal layer of the water table (typical water bore depths in the Doaba aquifer are 35-60m).
This occurance is not wholely uncommon in India; the conseqence of utilising water at basal water table rates have been seen to result in widespread arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh and W. Bengal.
The Punjab knows that the present rate of intensive agriculture cultivation is unsustainable, the bumper crop yields of 2008 will never be surpassed; Punjab will have to develop programs in which decreased crop yield is managed.
The short sighted policies of giving free electricity to farmers (powering the prolific japanese bore motors) have directly contributed to this pending disaster. The lack of water metering controls has meant the unfettered use of water – decimating the water table, hence leading to water contamination between radioactive metals and the basal layer.
Its a bleak future, and Punjabi famers know it. Factor in the worldwide increase in average temperatures and the irratic percipation of the monsoon and you have the perfect 'storm' (sic) for Punjab. i.e., Cancer, increase in genetic mutations resulting from radiation, decreasing yields, increase in avearge temp., irractic monsoon, an empty aquifer….Punjab needs another Pratap Singh Kairon and fast!
Tangential on the subject of water and the monsoon; the recent flooding of Ghaggar should be a reminder to how fragile the Punjab region is to the whims of summer percipitation.
May Waheguru help those on the otherside of the border who have having to deal with a 1 in 1000 chance ocurrance of a heavy percipation fall. My genuine sympathies and prayers go out to all the Pakistani effected by this 'biblical' type flooding.
Nanak Nam Chardi Kala Tera Bhae Sarbhat Dha Bhala
@Supinder
Do you know if Israelis and Brazilians use a different method of cultivation ? Their outputs seem to be higher on average, not sure about sustainability though.
@Supinder
Do you know if Israelis and Brazilians use a different method of cultivation ? Their outputs seem to be higher on average, not sure about sustainability though.
I've briefly summarised the historical rise between cancer and the green revolution in the Punjab:
In the mid-1960s, as India was struggling to feed its people during yet another crippling drought, an American plant breeder named Norman Borlaug was working with Indian researchers to bring his high-yielding wheat varieties to Punjab. By 1970, farmers had nearly tripled their production with the same amount of work.
Borlung's grain like no other wheat ever seen could produce imcredible yields—as long as there was plenty of water and synthetic fertilizer and little competition from weeds or insects. To that end, the Indian government subsidised canals, fertilizer, and the drilling of tube wells for irrigation and gave farmers free electricity to pump the water. The new wheat varieties quickly spread throughout North India, changing the traditional farming practices of millions of farmers, and were soon followed by new strains of "miracle" rice. The new crops matured faster and enabled farmers to grow two crops a year instead of one.
Today a double crop of wheat, rice, or cotton is the norm in Punjab, which, with neighboring Haryana, recently supplied more than 90 percent of the wheat needed by grain-deficient states in India.
With its use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to nurture vast fields of the same crop, (monoculture).
Today, though, the miracle of the green revolution is over in Punjab: Yield growth has essentially flattened since the mid-1990s. Overirrigation has led to steep drops in the water table, now tapped by 1.3 million tube wells, while thousands of hectares of productive land have been lost to salinization and waterlogged soils.
Forty years of intensive irrigation, fertilization, and pesticides have not been kind to the loamy gray fields of Punjab. Nor, in some cases, to the people themselves.
There's no proof these cancers were caused by pesticides. But researchers have found pesticides in the Punjabi farmers' blood, their water table, their vegetables, even their wives' breast milk. So many people take the train from the Malwa region to the cancer hospital in Bikaner that it's now called the Cancer Express.
If that weren't worrisome enough, the high cost of fertilizers and pesticides has plunged many Punjabi
farmers into debt. One study found more than 1,400 cases of farmer suicides in 93 villages between 1988 and 2006. Some groups put the total for the state as high as 40,000 to 60,000 suicides over that period.
Many drank pesticides or hung themselves in their fields.
"The green revolution has brought us only downfall," says Jarnail Singh, a retired schoolteacher in Jajjal village. "It ruined our soil, our environment, our water table. Used to be we had fairs in villages where people would come together and have fun. Now we gather in medical centers. The government has sacrificed the people of Punjab for grain." [ adapted from National Geographic, May 27th 2009 – The Global Food Crisis – The End of Plenty].
I've briefly summarised the historical rise between cancer and the green revolution in the Punjab:
In the mid-1960s, as India was struggling to feed its people during yet another crippling drought, an American plant breeder named Norman Borlaug was working with Indian researchers to bring his high-yielding wheat varieties to Punjab. By 1970, farmers had nearly tripled their production with the same amount of work.
Borlung's grain like no other wheat ever seen could produce imcredible yields—as long as there was plenty of water and synthetic fertilizer and little competition from weeds or insects. To that end, the Indian government subsidised canals, fertilizer, and the drilling of tube wells for irrigation and gave farmers free electricity to pump the water. The new wheat varieties quickly spread throughout North India, changing the traditional farming practices of millions of farmers, and were soon followed by new strains of "miracle" rice. The new crops matured faster and enabled farmers to grow two crops a year instead of one.
Today a double crop of wheat, rice, or cotton is the norm in Punjab, which, with neighboring Haryana, recently supplied more than 90 percent of the wheat needed by grain-deficient states in India.
With its use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to nurture vast fields of the same crop, (monoculture).
Today, though, the miracle of the green revolution is over in Punjab: Yield growth has essentially flattened since the mid-1990s. Overirrigation has led to steep drops in the water table, now tapped by 1.3 million tube wells, while thousands of hectares of productive land have been lost to salinization and waterlogged soils.
Forty years of intensive irrigation, fertilization, and pesticides have not been kind to the loamy gray fields of Punjab. Nor, in some cases, to the people themselves.
There's no proof these cancers were caused by pesticides. But researchers have found pesticides in the Punjabi farmers' blood, their water table, their vegetables, even their wives' breast milk. So many people take the train from the Malwa region to the cancer hospital in Bikaner that it's now called the Cancer Express.
If that weren't worrisome enough, the high cost of fertilizers and pesticides has plunged many Punjabi
farmers into debt. One study found more than 1,400 cases of farmer suicides in 93 villages between 1988 and 2006. Some groups put the total for the state as high as 40,000 to 60,000 suicides over that period.
Many drank pesticides or hung themselves in their fields.
"The green revolution has brought us only downfall," says Jarnail Singh, a retired schoolteacher in Jajjal village. "It ruined our soil, our environment, our water table. Used to be we had fairs in villages where people would come together and have fun. Now we gather in medical centers. The government has sacrificed the people of Punjab for grain." [ adapted from National Geographic, May 27th 2009 – The Global Food Crisis – The End of Plenty].
@Supinder
Thanks a ton for the information. I also read somewhere that the Congress government deliberately tried to prevent industrialization of Punjab so as to keep it agrarian. Texas Instruments had chosen Chandigarh as their preferred city for setting up office but were driven out by the political class and so called terrorism. This was around 1985. Other companies followed them and Bangalore became the silicon valley of India.
@Supinder
Thanks a ton for the information. I also read somewhere that the Congress government deliberately tried to prevent industrialization of Punjab so as to keep it agrarian. Texas Instruments had chosen Chandigarh as their preferred city for setting up office but were driven out by the political class and so called terrorism. This was around 1985. Other companies followed them and Bangalore became the silicon valley of India.
i am agriculture graduate from P.A.U .. my senoirs r working on use of pesticide and fertilizers in punjab …. they found that cancer in malwa region s not due to pesticides ..it s due to uranium …….they found that in cancer affected villages pesticide residue are not much .. they are in limits …… honestly speaking punjab is going towards death …. ……………
i am agriculture graduate from P.A.U .. my senoirs r working on use of pesticide and fertilizers in punjab …. they found that cancer in malwa region s not due to pesticides ..it s due to uranium …….they found that in cancer affected villages pesticide residue are not much .. they are in limits …… honestly speaking punjab is going towards death …. ……………
@Supinder
Remarkable analysis! You make perfect sense and i totally agree with you that the center basically 'screwed' Punjab. Anyone who does not see this is insane or worse.
@garry
– Was the study conducted by your seniors published? Can you provide the reference? Even in the documentary it seemed that PAU was defending the pesticide use while everyone else found them to be extremely high. Wonder if PAU has an agenda ???
– PAU has failed in its mission – I think the Profs there had good intentions but the frustrations with the system or apathy of the govt has turned them into incompetent office-bearers much like everywhere else.
@Supinder
Remarkable analysis! You make perfect sense and i totally agree with you that the center basically 'screwed' Punjab. Anyone who does not see this is insane or worse.
@garry
– Was the study conducted by your seniors published? Can you provide the reference? Even in the documentary it seemed that PAU was defending the pesticide use while everyone else found them to be extremely high. Wonder if PAU has an agenda ???
– PAU has failed in its mission – I think the Profs there had good intentions but the frustrations with the system or apathy of the govt has turned them into incompetent office-bearers much like everywhere else.
The Pakistani flood is heartbeating; the stories and images have been on the evening news.
The Sikh community is Southall is donating money and having charity collections in gurdwaras throughout West London (in Southall we live cheek by jowl with our fellow Pakistani Punjabis).
Are there similar charity drives throughout the rest of the Sikh diaspora?
The Pakistani flood is heartbeating; the stories and images have been on the evening news.
The Sikh community is Southall is donating money and having charity collections in gurdwaras throughout West London (in Southall we live cheek by jowl with our fellow Pakistani Punjabis).
Are there similar charity drives throughout the rest of the Sikh diaspora?
@iSingh
You mentioned previously if i had any thoughts on the Punjabi economy and the industrialisation of the Punjab. Here are my thoughts:
Punjab is far from being a disaster economically (at least in the short term) as it has:
*Relatively flat alluvial land, almost all of which is easily amenable to economic utilisation,
*Access to waters from the extensive river system and aquifers originating in the Himalayan foothills although diversion of dam water outside the Punjab river basin and over-exploitation of water in agriculture has lowered the water table of groundwater at a rapid pace such that over 85 per cent of the agricultural blocks in the state are “over-exploited” or “dark”.
* Despite some in-migration of farm and factory labor, the problem of slums in urban areas is relatively contained.
*Located on the potentially active trade route to Pakistan and Central Asia, when (hopefully) reactivated.
*Extensive development of agricultural markets and networks and some success in new kinds of contract (garden and organic) farming.
*With its extensive road network, Punjab has the highest road density (105 km of surfaced roads per 100 square km. of geographical area as on 2002) amongst major states. This is much higher than the national average (43) and also higher than the other economic frontline states, such as Tamil Nadu (97), Maharashtra(68), Gujarat (63), Haryana (60) and Karnataka (54).
* Has the highest railway networks for the geographic area.
* Low poverty & relatively superior nutritional and health indicators in comparison to other parts of the country.
* Educational infrastructure which is among the best of Indian states. By 2001, 96per cent of the habitations were covered by primary schools within a distance of1 km.
*Female literacy rate at 63 per cent in 2001 was superior to the national average (54 per cent) as also that of most other economically frontline States – Karnataka (57 per cent), Haryana (56 per cent), Gujarat (58 per cent) – and comparable to Tamil Nadu (64 per cent) and a little behind that of Himachal (67 per cent) and Maharashtra (67 per cent).
*Cotton mills, grain processing, sugar manufacture and the processing of agricultural materials such as oilseeds, as also metal working and leather products, have had a long history in Punjab.
* Strong potential for IT, Biotechnology and healthcare sectors.
However, as well as these strengths – the Punjab has an equaly number of deficits:
*Landlocked and located in a corner of the country with associated disadvantage in terms of sources of raw material and markets (domestic and overseas), and border with Pakistan with a history of military conflicts/militancy.
* Agricultural advancement and the general prosperity has meant that land prices are higher than in other parts of the country, with adverse implications for the conversion of land to industrial use.
* Urban infrastructure is not commensurate with the relatively high levels of income in the state.
* The quality of education remains a major problem. Despite having relatively higher average incomes and good quality infrastructure, the educational attainment of Punjab is only slightly above the national average.
* Weak and malfunctioning public system of delivery of education and health.
* The male literacy rate at 75 per cent in Punjab is the same as the national average, but lower than that in Maharashtra (86 per cent), Tamil Nadu (82 percent), Gujarat (80 per cent) and Haryana (78 per cent).
* Punjab’s sex ratio at 876/1000 after Haryana is the worst among all the states. Out of the 10 districts with the lowest child sex ratio in India, 7 are from Punjab.
* A major problem of drug addiction among young male population in Punjab.
* Punjab has all along had an agrarian focus and the state is perceived not to have much interest in promoting industrial activities. This weakness has become more pronounced in the economic environment of the past 15 years or so when many state governments are proactively pursuing private investment.
* The Centre's demarcation of the majority of the Punjab as being a border area, in effect excludes the setting up of SEZs in the state.
Fairly sobering stuff; the solutions to these issues are known – we as a community should face them head on.
@iSingh
You mentioned previously if i had any thoughts on the Punjabi economy and the industrialisation of the Punjab. Here are my thoughts:
Punjab is far from being a disaster economically (at least in the short term) as it has:
*Relatively flat alluvial land, almost all of which is easily amenable to economic utilisation,
*Access to waters from the extensive river system and aquifers originating in the Himalayan foothills although diversion of dam water outside the Punjab river basin and over-exploitation of water in agriculture has lowered the water table of groundwater at a rapid pace such that over 85 per cent of the agricultural blocks in the state are “over-exploited” or “dark”.
* Despite some in-migration of farm and factory labor, the problem of slums in urban areas is relatively contained.
*Located on the potentially active trade route to Pakistan and Central Asia, when (hopefully) reactivated.
*Extensive development of agricultural markets and networks and some success in new kinds of contract (garden and organic) farming.
*With its extensive road network, Punjab has the highest road density (105 km of surfaced roads per 100 square km. of geographical area as on 2002) amongst major states. This is much higher than the national average (43) and also higher than the other economic frontline states, such as Tamil Nadu (97), Maharashtra(68), Gujarat (63), Haryana (60) and Karnataka (54).
* Has the highest railway networks for the geographic area.
* Low poverty & relatively superior nutritional and health indicators in comparison to other parts of the country.
* Educational infrastructure which is among the best of Indian states. By 2001, 96per cent of the habitations were covered by primary schools within a distance of1 km.
*Female literacy rate at 63 per cent in 2001 was superior to the national average (54 per cent) as also that of most other economically frontline States – Karnataka (57 per cent), Haryana (56 per cent), Gujarat (58 per cent) – and comparable to Tamil Nadu (64 per cent) and a little behind that of Himachal (67 per cent) and Maharashtra (67 per cent).
*Cotton mills, grain processing, sugar manufacture and the processing of agricultural materials such as oilseeds, as also metal working and leather products, have had a long history in Punjab.
* Strong potential for IT, Biotechnology and healthcare sectors.
However, as well as these strengths – the Punjab has an equaly number of deficits:
*Landlocked and located in a corner of the country with associated disadvantage in terms of sources of raw material and markets (domestic and overseas), and border with Pakistan with a history of military conflicts/militancy.
* Agricultural advancement and the general prosperity has meant that land prices are higher than in other parts of the country, with adverse implications for the conversion of land to industrial use.
* Urban infrastructure is not commensurate with the relatively high levels of income in the state.
* The quality of education remains a major problem. Despite having relatively higher average incomes and good quality infrastructure, the educational attainment of Punjab is only slightly above the national average.
* Weak and malfunctioning public system of delivery of education and health.
* The male literacy rate at 75 per cent in Punjab is the same as the national average, but lower than that in Maharashtra (86 per cent), Tamil Nadu (82 percent), Gujarat (80 per cent) and Haryana (78 per cent).
* Punjab’s sex ratio at 876/1000 after Haryana is the worst among all the states. Out of the 10 districts with the lowest child sex ratio in India, 7 are from Punjab.
* A major problem of drug addiction among young male population in Punjab.
* Punjab has all along had an agrarian focus and the state is perceived not to have much interest in promoting industrial activities. This weakness has become more pronounced in the economic environment of the past 15 years or so when many state governments are proactively pursuing private investment.
* The Centre's demarcation of the majority of the Punjab as being a border area, in effect excludes the setting up of SEZs in the state.
Fairly sobering stuff; the solutions to these issues are known – we as a community should face them head on.