"Why this silence, who is next, stop Killing our Children”; shouted the posters and photographs lined up in the corridors of Ayurveda College here on Wednesday. They were put up as a part of an Anti-Endosulfan Campaign organised by the Kerala University Union as part of a cultural get-together.
Devaswom Minister Kadannappalli Ramachandran inaugurated the programme by sending an e-mail to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting the ban of Endosulfan all over the country.
“The new generation need to be aware of the harmful and destructive effects of pesticides like Endosulfan and such exhibitions and discussions provide a platform for the same”, said the Minister.
The campaign was being organised at college levels throughout the State through painting competitions, exhibitions and seminars.
R. Lenin, Chairman of the Kerala University Union, said that they were also planning to screen videos and documentaries on the tragedy in Kasargod district. “We intend to send a team of medical students from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College to the poison affected areas”, added Lenin.
The Union is also in talks with magician Gopinath Muthukad to launch an awareness campaign in colleges all over Kerala. Anti-Endosulfan signature campaigns will be arranged at various colleges, to be sent to the Prime Minister.
Ayurveda College Principal Dr. V. K. Ashok announced that the institution was ready to provide free medication to the Endosulfan victims.
The exhibition was organised with the help of the National Service Scheme.