1,500 farmers commit mass suicide in India

2009-04-16 17:56:17

#1

Macbeth: Banned; +2,444|5887

Over 1,500 farmers in an Indian state committed suicide after being driven to debt by crop failure, it was reported today.

The agricultural state of Chattisgarh was hit by falling water levels.

"The water level has gone down below 250 feet here. It used to be at 40 feet a few years ago," Shatrughan Sahu, a villager in one of the districts, told Down To Earth magazine

"Most of the farmers here are indebted and only God can save the ones who do not have a bore well."

Mr Sahu lives in a district that recorded 206 farmer suicides last year. Police records for the district add that many deaths occur due to debt and economic distress.

In another village nearby, Beturam Sahu, who owned two acres of land was among those who committed suicide. His crop is yet to be harvested, but his son Lakhnu left to take up a job as a manual labourer.

His family must repay a debt of £400 and the crop this year is poor.

"The crop is so bad this year that we will not even be able to save any seeds," said Lakhnu's friend Santosh. "There were no rains at all."

"That's why Lakhnu left even before harvesting the crop. There is nothing left to harvest in his land this time. He is worried how he will repay these loans."

Bharatendu Prakash, from the Organic Farming Association of India, told the Press Association: "Farmers' suicides are increasing due to a vicious circle created by money lenders. They lure farmers to take money but when the crops fail, they are left with no option other than death."

Mr Prakash added that the government ought to take up the cause of the poor farmers just as they fight for a strong economy.

"Development should be for all. The government blames us for being against development. Forest area is depleting and dams are constructed without proper planning.

All this contributes to dipping water levels. Farmers should be taken into consideration when planning policies," he said.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world … 69018.html
That is just horrible. House thieves in the area are going to have a lot of options now.

2009-04-16 18:02:46

#2

mtb0minime: minimember; +2,418|6956

Horrible. But in all honesty, Darwinism ftw.

2009-04-16 18:03:04

#3

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6802|so randum

Holy fuck.

Now if the IMF was in any way useful...

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-04-16 18:19:03

#4

Doctor Strangelove: Real Battlefield Veterinarian.; +1,758|6770

Cults are bad, mmkay?

2009-04-16 18:19:58

#5

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6802|so randum

I'd honestly lay a fair portion of the blame for Africa in general being screwed on the feet of the IMF. Regarding the last 30 years at least.

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-04-16 19:06:54

#6

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6903|132 and Bush

Why isn't this being covered by the main stream? Something fishy here.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-16 19:13:23

#7

Poseidon: Fudgepack DeQueef; +3,253|6839|Long Island, New York

Kmarion wrote:
Why isn't this being covered by the main stream? Something fishy here.

After all the suicide cults America has had, it's not really anything new I guess?

2009-04-16 19:19:45

#8

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6903|132 and Bush

Poseidon wrote:
Kmarion wrote:
Why isn't this being covered by the main stream? Something fishy here.
After all the suicide cults America has had, it's not really anything new I guess?

1500, yea I'd say so.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-16 19:56:34

#9

ATG: Banned; +5,233|6831|Global Command

I doubt it was a mass event, ala jim jones.

Probably a bunch of unrelated events.

Although, the article blames the money lenders, and I know for fact that they are a bunch of greedy immoral whores. So maybe it is true.

2009-04-16 20:00:05

#10

.:i7|Batman: Banned; +27|5803| - | - | - | - | - |

Great Scott.

2009-04-16 21:13:08

#11

nickb64: formerly from OC (it's EXACTLY like on tv)[truth]; +77|5913|Greatest Nation on Earth(USA)

Kmarion wrote:
Why isn't this being covered by the main stream? Something fishy here.

Is that really a question???
They don't give a rat's ass.

2009-04-16 21:14:41

#12

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6903|132 and Bush

nickb64 wrote:
Kmarion wrote:
Why isn't this being covered by the main stream? Something fishy here.
Is that really a question???
They don't give a rat's ass.

Who?.. The same people that covered the Tsunamis, Chinese earthquakes, and Myanmar?

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-16 21:19:28

#13

Flecco: iPod is broken.; +1,048|6967|NT, like Mick Dundee

Kmarion wrote:
Why isn't this being covered by the main stream? Something fishy here.

Exposing the relatively weak and poor base of the Chinese and Indian economies isn't good for business.

Having lots of babies to get a massive and cheap labour force isn't sound or stable economic policy in my opinion. It may not have been intentional but I still think it's unstable, uncontrolled expansion. I'm probs just an ign'ant redneck though.

Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.

2009-04-16 21:26:39

#14

nickb64: formerly from OC (it's EXACTLY like on tv)[truth]; +77|5913|Greatest Nation on Earth(USA)

Kmarion wrote:
nickb64 wrote:
Kmarion wrote:
Why isn't this being covered by the main stream? Something fishy here.
Is that really a question???
They don't give a rat's ass.
Who?.. The same people that covered the Tsunamis, Chinese earthquakes, and Myanmar?

Flecco's answer is probably far more correct than mine, I'm just kind of annoyed @ the MSM right now.

2009-04-16 21:28:38

#15

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6903|132 and Bush

ATG wrote:
I doubt it was a mass event, ala jim jones.

Probably a bunch of unrelated events.

Although, the article blames the money lenders, and I know for fact that they are a bunch of greedy immoral whores. So maybe it is true.

Misleading isn't it? The quote even stated "one district had 206 sucicides LAST YEAR".

32,439 suicides in the US last year ..or 32,439 people commit mass suicide in the United States.
Which one will have more of an impact on election day?

I'm leaning towards politically motivated shock headlines rather than the global media desire to hide dead Indian farmers.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-16 21:36:18

#16

Flecco: iPod is broken.; +1,048|6967|NT, like Mick Dundee

For the record those numbers are tiny. I used to live near a community called Ski Beach/Gunyangara, it has four claims to fame.

First, it was a seaplane base during WW2.

Second, it's the home of one of Australia's most successful indigenous businessmen and his family/clan/tribe.

Third, home to the cousin of that businessman, who was lead singer in Yothu Yindi, who have had a few number 1 hits in Aus and played at the Sydney 2000 Olympics opening ceremony.

Last of all, it regularly competes for the highest suicide rate per capita in the southern hemisphere. The problem is particularly bad amongst the young men in the community.

Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.

2009-04-16 21:47:34

#17

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6903|132 and Bush

ok.. one question 1,500 according to who? The article makes one vague refrence to police records when talking about 205 deaths in a single district.

Usually when you come out with numbers dealing in mass death you cite your sources (not:"it was reported"). That combined with the election timing and the fact all references to this article leads back to one single media outlet "the Belfast telegraph". ...Farmers should be taken into consideration when planning policies. Seems a bit obvious to me.

That's my take.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-17 03:57:58

#18

Flecco: iPod is broken.; +1,048|6967|NT, like Mick Dundee

Wtf agenda would a Belfast news outlet have toward an Indian election though?

Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.

2009-04-17 04:27:30

#19

Spark: liquid fluoride thorium reactor; +874|6976|Canberra, AUS

Flecco wrote:
Wtf agenda would a Belfast news outlet have toward an Indian election though?

Apart from, y'know, covering an event which could have a major bearing on the future events in a country containing 1/6th of the world's population, which is under threat from terrorists and internal conflicts with global ramifications etc.

Apart from that, no clue

Last edited by Spark (2009-04-17 04:27:53)

The paradox is only a conflict between reality and your feeling what reality ought to be.
^{~ Richard Feynman}

2009-04-17 06:42:34

#20

Mekstizzle: WALKER; +3,611|6923|London, England

Flecco wrote:
Wtf agenda would a Belfast news outlet have toward an Indian election though?

It's all part of a giant global conspiracy. I don't think it happened over one day, if the Farmers were that organised to hold such a mass suicide they would've instead formed an angry farmer mob like every other country, especially during election season, probably

I think Finland still has the highest Suicide rate in the world

edit Actually it's Lithuania

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_rate

Last edited by Mekstizzle (2009-04-17 06:43:36)

2009-04-17 12:05:11

#21

Flecco: iPod is broken.; +1,048|6967|NT, like Mick Dundee

Spark wrote:
Flecco wrote:
Wtf agenda would a Belfast news outlet have toward an Indian election though?
Apart from, y'know, covering an event which could have a major bearing on the future events in a country containing 1/6th of the world's population, which is under threat from terrorists and internal conflicts with global ramifications etc.

Apart from that, no clue

Yes, but an Irish newspaper? Indian newspaper probably, regional Asian newspapers maybe but an IRISH newspaper from the other side of the world?

Is this Belfast paper owned by some sort of larger umbrella corporation or something?

Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.

2009-04-17 13:52:35

#22

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|6903|132 and Bush

Flecco wrote:
Spark wrote:
Flecco wrote:
Wtf agenda would a Belfast news outlet have toward an Indian election though?
Apart from, y'know, covering an event which could have a major bearing on the future events in a country containing 1/6th of the world's population, which is under threat from terrorists and internal conflicts with global ramifications etc.

Apart from that, no clue
Yes, but an Irish newspaper? Indian newspaper probably, regional Asian newspapers maybe but an IRISH newspaper from the other side of the world?

Is this Belfast paper owned by some sort of larger umbrella corporation or something?

I considered that.. but one speculation of intent does not wash out some basic questions. These are things that should be obvious to the discerning reader. Actually this curiosity only makes the content more dubious. Since when did the belfast telegraph become the only champion of suicidal Indian farmers?

A) There is no real source

B) The timing is extremely suspect considering it's policy making time (the article wraps up with "Farmers should be taken into consideration when planning policies"

C) No one else is reporting the "Mass event", not even humanitarian organizations.

D) Who wrote the fucking thing? You know this type of Pulitzer Prize exclusive content could be an event which could have a major bearing on the future events in a country containing 1/6th of the world's population, which is under threat from terrorists _*fart and internal conflicts with global ramifications _*barf etc. Source: Anonymous
Yes that is some fantastic ground breaking journalism right thar.

The world is awash with BS reporting. FTR I'm not even saying this didn't happen. It's just that there are a lot of questions that are left unanswered. Simply accepting them without documentation because we think that some Irish newspaper is the only true friend to Indian farmers is simply not enough for me. Again, I'm leaning more towards ATG (and now Skeetle). There may have been a good amount of suicides over a long period of time. But like I said, which sounds worse? 39k people committed suicide in the US over the last year. Or implying that 39,0000 Americans committed mass suicide in unity because of this single reason (financial pressure etc).

If you read the BT comments page you will see that I'm not alone in thinking that the headline might be misleading.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-04-17 14:30:38

#23

S.Lythberg: Mastermind; +429|6749|Chicago, IL

I'll wait for the real news to sort it out before I make any comments here.

2009-04-17 14:41:46

#24

Flecco: iPod is broken.; +1,048|6967|NT, like Mick Dundee

Kmarion wrote:
Flecco wrote:
Spark wrote:

Apart from, y'know, covering an event which could have a major bearing on the future events in a country containing 1/6th of the world's population, which is under threat from terrorists and internal conflicts with global ramifications etc.

Apart from that, no clue
Yes, but an Irish newspaper? Indian newspaper probably, regional Asian newspapers maybe but an IRISH newspaper from the other side of the world?

Is this Belfast paper owned by some sort of larger umbrella corporation or something?
I considered that.. but one speculation of intent does not wash out some basic questions. These are things that should be obvious to the discerning reader. Actually this curiosity only makes the content more dubious. Since when did the belfast telegraph become the only champion of suicidal Indian farmers?

A) There is no real source

B) The timing is extremely suspect considering it's policy making time (the article wraps up with "Farmers should be taken into consideration when planning policies"

C) No one else is reporting the "Mass event", not even humanitarian organizations.

D) Who wrote the fucking thing? You know this type of Pulitzer Prize exclusive content could be an event which could have a major bearing on the future events in a country containing 1/6th of the world's population, which is under threat from terrorists _*fart and internal conflicts with global ramifications _*barf etc. Source: Anonymous
Yes that is some fantastic ground breaking journalism right thar.

The world is awash with BS reporting. FTR I'm not even saying this didn't happen. It's just that there are a lot of questions that are left unanswered. Simply accepting them without documentation because we think that some Irish newspaper is the only true friend to Indian farmers is simply not enough for me. Again, I'm leaning more towards ATG (and now Skeetle). There may have been a good amount of suicides over a long period of time. But like I said, which sounds worse? 39k people committed suicide in the US over the last year. Or implying that 39,0000 Americans committed mass suicide in unity because of this single reason (financial pressure etc).

If you read the BT comments page you will see that I'm not alone in thinking that the headline might be misleading.

I didn't dispute any of that. I'm wondering why the fuck the Belfast Telegraph or w/e it's called gives a shit.

Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.

2009-04-17 14:49:10

#25

Pochsy: Artifice of Eternity; +702|5845|Toronto

Flecco wrote:
I didn't dispute any of that. I'm wondering why the fuck the Belfast Telegraph or w/e it's called gives a shit.

He gave his reason in point B, "The timing is extremely suspect considering it's policy making time (the article wraps up with "Farmers should be taken into consideration when planning policies"- Kmarion

They're using an international incident to push a point in their own country, and that point is "don't do it or we'll kill ourselves."

Not sure if Kmarion is right, but the evidence is there.

The shape of an eye in front of the ocean, digging for stones and throwing them against its window pane. Take it down dreamer, take it down deep. - Other Families

BF2S Forums 1,500 farmers commit mass suicide in India

Kmarion wrote:

Poseidon wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

nickb64 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

nickb64 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

ATG wrote:

Flecco wrote:

Flecco wrote:

Spark wrote:

Flecco wrote:

Flecco wrote:

Spark wrote:

Flecco wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Flecco wrote:

Spark wrote:

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