The Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, AB 19, Mathura Road, New Delhi 1, 3 August 2007
03:00 pm – 5:00 pm
What: Following Vedanta’s annual general meeting, which concluded in London on August 1, 2007, we will have with us at a media briefing two indigenous representatives from Lanjigrah, Orissa who
attended the AGM as the company’s shareholders.
At the AGM, Phulme and Kumuti of the Kutia Kondh indigenous community raised questions about the grave threat to their land and livelihoods due to Vedanta’s aluminium refinery project in their area. Local communities feel the company has conveniently ignored critical issues, contrary to the claims they have been making.
Kumuti Majhi and Phulme Majhi travelled all the way to London to attend Vedanta’s AGM.
Phulme, 25-year-old ex-sarpanch (local elected leader) says:
“For us it is a matter of life or death. Niyamgiri Raja – the mountain that is sacred to the indigenous groups in the area – is under threat and with it our land, livelihood and way of life.”
Also at the briefing, ActionAid will unravel four myths about Vedanta’s operations in its latest report.
Filmmaker Suma Josson brings you stories of indigenous people from Kalahandi.
The following participants will be present at the media briefing:
Phulme Majhi of the Kutia Kondh indigenous community from Lanjigarh, Orissa. She is former
sarpanch (local elected leader) and member of Sachetan Nagarik Manch (Conscious Citizens’ Forum).
Kumuti Majhi of the Kutia Kondh indigenous community from Lanjigarh, Orissa. He is part of
Niyamgiri Surakshya Samiti (Niyamgiri protection committee).
Dan Majhi of the Kutia Kandha indigenous community from Lanjigarh, Orissa
Sukli Majhi of the Kutia Kandha indigenous community from Lanjigarh, Orissa
Madhab Chandra Mishra, a member of Antodaya, an ActionAid partner organisation in Kalahandi district.
Satyaban Pradhan of Antodaya
Sidhartha Naik, lawyer and member of Sachetan Nagarik Manch
Bratindi Jena, leads ActionAid’s work on indigenous groups
Suma Josson, Mumbai-based documentary filmmaker from Mumbai
