Al Jazeera examines the devastating events of Bhopal, India in 1984, when a cloud of poisonous gas released over the city killed thousands in the world’s worst industrial disaster. Al Jazeera talks to survivors about the incident and its terrible legacy for those who live there. Segment 1 (11:20 min)
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on Sep 16th, 2008 at 7:27 am
I’ve seen a couple other programs about this incident before. They are always hard to watch. It often seems that corporations are able to wiggle out of their responsibilities in such situations. But even beyond justice in this case, I think the ultimate solution is for us humans to stop making and using poison on an industrial scale.
Another story that repeats some of the themes here is the ship graveyards along the coast of India and Bangladesh where these same slum dwellers are given the task of decommissioning giant ocean freighters that have ended their lifespan. The job is dangerous and hazardous to their health and they are paid only $2 a day. Chronic health problems are rampant but they must keep working to feed themsleves. Again, it seems a convenient way for the multinational corporations to take advantage of desperate people in a far away place. there’s a brief video here: http://www.shipbreakingplatform.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=61
on Sep 16th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Thanks for the link. The pictures and slideshow are very nice. Yes, the poor are often exploited unfortunately.