Mystery surrounds uranium poisoning in Punjab | Features | Environment

Mystery surrounds uranium poisoning in Punjab | Features | Environment

UK-based clinical toxicologist Carin Smit recently came out with startling revelations that traces of uranium and other heavy metals were found in the hair samples of children and adults in Faridkot district. But there are no uranium mines in Punjab. So where is the contamination coming from?

Ever since the startling news   broke, in March 2009, that traces of uranium and other heavy metals   had been found in the hair samples of children and adults at the Baba   Farid Centre for Special Children in Faridkot district, Punjab, the   Centre has become the focus of intense government and media scrutiny.   The revelations were made by UK-based clinical toxicologist Carin Smit   who noted the bizarre medical condition of the children who, until now,   had been considered extreme cases of mental disability. Their limbs   are deformed, they have bulges on their heads, and their eyes have grown   well beyond normal size.

Not a sight worth repeating, sir!

What is shocking for all of us is the sight of young editors, taken into police custody, not for the crime they committed with their mighty pen. This becomes a matter of great concern when they are arrested on the charges of “ brokering” a deal. We close our eyes. Think for a moment.

It was a deal worth Rs 100 crore. I don’t think they would have done it for themselves! Or perhaps, they are the last man doing this in this country. We are aware of a culture where corporate use scribes as a handle to ensure big time profits. What has gone wrong?

Are you shocked to hear all this? Actually we should not. Not long ago, names of many journalists had figured in the 2G scam. Some of them having strong political backing remained seated, where people with no so strong political links, made to walk away.

In this recent case, conversations between the journalists and the representatives of the corporate house were recorded on video tape. It was like falling into a booby trap, willingly.

Usually, we journalists have six senses. When we go out, we know what is wrong, what is right. Whom should we meet, whom we should not. These are basics of journalism. I wonder this is the channel, which taught the television channels craft of sting operations. But they ultimately got trapped first.

It’s a rot. The sound of crumbling of fourth pillar is thunderous, to say the least. Money changed hands or not, we are not privy to this information. But when cops picked up the young editors like taken into police van, it was a pathetic sight. Sight not worth repeating!