WTO Development Policies - A Façade?

"Bharat ki Janta ko Jano, WTO ki Baat na Mano! Ujiyare mein bhara Andhera, Cheeze meri patent Tera!" The revolutionary slogans filled the atmosphere of Dehradun as hundreds of frustrated men and women, fast running out of patience came to the streets to protest against the policies of free trade and it's atrocities, today. "The people of Krishi Vividhikaran Yojna are forcing us to buy Genetically Modified (GM) seeds from outside calling them organic. When we first used them our production was low and therefore we have decided to stick to our traditional methods. However, they are buying our these traditional produce on lower rates and coercing us to buy their GM seeds. Our village is declared an organic gram. We have been using organic methods for ages and they are taking loans from the World Bank to teach us what is traditionally our knowledge, said Uma Rawat of Village Kesarwala, Dehradun.

Hundreds of male and female representatives from all walks of life including the Panchayat staged their opposition to the distorted policies of free trade and right to food sovereignty by marching from Gandhi Park to Clock Tower. Many people from as far as the remote villages of districts Tehri, Haridwar, Pauri, Dehradun, Uttarkashi and Bageshwar attended this rally.

The rally is a part of the ongoing Global Week of Action on Trade (10-16 April 2005) being organised by Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra.

An Effigy depicting WTO was put to fire at the central point of Dehradun. Also, the people, shouting slogans opposing the menace of WTO, took out a death procession of the same. Similar rallies and campaigns have also been conducted in remote villages of Dehradun, Bageshwar and Uttarkashi.

"When seed from outside was brought and planted the yield was low and our crops were spoilt. Organic manure produces better results and our traditional crops are well-suited to local environs", said Santo Devi of village Dhakrol in Jaunpur, Tehri Garhwal. Kamlesh of Sauhra village in Jaunsar had similar sentiments to express, "these Genetically Modified seeds give way to more grass than crop. This grass spreads fast, how do we control it? How are we going to survive?"

The people especially the farmers are now fast realizing the devastating effects of free trade, which is threatening their livelihood. The rally organized on the 15th April'2005 is an active outlet and opportunity towards providing a voice to these people's estranged grievances. Commenting angrily on the international development policies Priya Zadu, a human rights activist said, "Free trade is the strategy of the more developed nations to make the rich richer and poor poorer. They are forcing free trade and privatisation on developing countries through heavy-handed 'advice' and trade conditions attached to debt repayments and new loans. It is a façade which has been upheld by national and Uttaranchal State Governments and key decision makers of our country who are looking' at their own self-interest than that of the nation".

"How can they patent Ashvagandha and Haldi? They are traditionally an Indian product and now our farmers can be coerced to pay for growing them, said Sunita Devi, Village Tashipur, Roorkee." She was expressing her opinion on patenting of many such agricultural produces by America and Japan.

The big idea of the week is to change the lives of millions of the poorest people across the world. The message to be conveyed is literally saying No to the rich and powerful imposing unjust trade agreements, indiscriminate liberalisation and privatisation on the poor and Yes to everyone's right to livelihood, water, health and education.

70% of Uttaranchal's population is partially or fully dependent on forest produce. The thick forest cover of Uttaranchal as opposed to it's mother State Uttar Pradesh is immense due to self-imposed rules of the dwelling communities. However, the Government with their fence and protect policy are alienating these communities from the right and access to these forest resources. Water is being privatised despite the fact that Uttaranchal is the source of two major water sources, Ganga and Yamuna.

People enthusiastically addressed postcards to the President of India portraying their grievances. Street plays were also organized.

Countries like India are opening up their doors to cheaper products on lower subsidies thus destroying the production of their own traditional and national consumer goods. Each individual in Uttaranchal including a newborn baby owes the World Bank above Rupees 10,000/-. According to the twelfth Finance Commission, no one-trade policy can be unanimous to all countries and people and therefore poor suffer in silence thus violating their human rights," said, Ruchi Kukreti, Vice-chairperson, RLEK.

This event is concluding on the 16th April 2005 with the submission of memorandum to the Prime Minister of India. The main purpose is to raise awareness amongst millions of ordinary people about how enforced free trade and privatisation are hurting poor people everywhere and inspiring them to act.