The Plachimada Coca-Cola struggle was a series of protests to close the Coca-Cola factory in the village of Plachimada in Palakkad district in the early 2000s. The villagers noted that soon after the factory opened, their wells started to run dry and the available water turned contaminated and toxic. The lady who spearheaded the agitation was none other than Kanniamma!
Background
* The Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, erected its factory on a 38-acre plot in 1999.
* The land had historically belonged to the adivasis.
* The factory had employed 284 people.
* Audits reveal that around 600 cases comprising of 24 bottles of 300 ml capacity each, were produced everyday.
Kanniamma had spearheaded the agitation under the "Plachimada Coca-Cola Virudha Samara Samithi" against the depletion of groundwater due to the functioning of the beverages plant.
The area had faced severe drinking water issues while the sludge from the plant also led to pollution in the area.
After the plant shut shop, Kanniamma continued protesting in front of the closed factory demanding compensation for those affected by the pollution and the damage to the environment caused due to the discharge of effluents.
She had also launched a satyagraha in front of the plant and was jailed for 23 days.
Epilogue
95-year old Kanniamma passed into the mist of time. Wife of late Kannan, she died in her house in Vijaya Nagar Colony in Plachimada. Her death coincides with the 20th anniversary of the agitation against the MNC, Coca-Cola!
Adieu Kanniamma ma'am! My salute, tears and prayers for the tough and no-nonsense leader who empowered the poor adivasis to fight against injustice. Om Shanti! Sadgati.
God doesn't make people like 'em anymore!
Tailpiece.
Got up around 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Another thoroughly wet day.
Lekha had gone to town for purchases and to pick up our fruit basket.
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