Summer 2007

Although the Government of India projects a 9% growth, this progress is not spread evenly all over the country.

Since 1997, according to the Government's very own statistics, a total of 1,50,000 farmers and their respective families have committed suicide as they are unable to survive and repay loans to Zamindars.

Out of these 1,50,000, 20% of the above deaths are recorded in the state of Maharashtra.

During 2006, the Government did act and made provisions to forgive loans - but limited such forgivable loans to banking institutes only - and did not provide any relief to struggling farmers all over the country.

Corrupt and indolent police and politicians compound this issue even more by refusing to intervene against goons of Zamindars, leaving the hapless farmers to fend for themselves.

And when they are unable to do so - they end up killing themselves.

The media is supposed to the conscience of the people, but are mainly focused on urban issues, including Bollywood and politics, thus compounding the problem even more.

It is an unfortunate reality that the plight of these farmers remains unresolved to date.