Reema Narendran
First Published : 03 Feb 2010 02:55:11 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When the whole country is discussing the merits and demerits of Bt brinjal, celebrities from Kollywood - Revathy, Rohini and Cheran, have brought out a film on genetically modified brinjal titled ‘Kathereekkai’.
The short and crisp documentary has been shot in Tamil Nadu, which, Rohini says, has the highest number of brinjal consumers.
“In the three meals that we have a day, at least one would have brinjal in some form or the other. The Bt brinjal manufacturers are playing against nature. How can they force this sort of genetically modified brinjal on us?,’’ asks Rohini, who is in the city to judge a reality show for a television channel. Rohini, disturbed by the possible long-term implications of Bt brinjal on the soil and the health of millions, talked about this to Revathy. “Of course, Cheran already knew about Bt brinjal and said that he would be part of the venture,’’ said Revathy.
The film talks not just about the dangers of Bt brinjal, but also about the Bt cotton, that was released in the country much earlier. "The films talk to a number of farmers across Tamil Nadu who had cultivated Bt cotton, who lost their money and was finally compensated by the multinational seed company itself," said the actor.
The CDs of the film is being sent to different centres in Tamil Nadu to be distributed among the farmers. Why not Kerala?, ‘Express’ asked. "Well, Kerala was one of the first states to realise the dangers of genetically modified crops and ban it. In Tamil Nadu, we need to create a lot more awareness on this topic. We met our Chief Minister and briefed him on the need to ban GM crops. He was very patient, asked a lot of questions and I thought he was very positive," she said.
These film personalities do not intend to stop their campaign against GM crops with just the film. "We have an umbrella organisation called Safe Food Alliance in Tamil Nadu. We intend to take out marches and we are going to make children write to the concerned ministers. We want the youngsters to decide if they want to be labrats," said Rohini.
And, when they went to meet the CM and the Agriculture Minister of Tamil Nadu, they took a bag full of native brinjals with them.
Source: Expressbuzz
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