This morning, I saw a Facebook post about Tatas promoting tribal culture and language in Jharkhand. Life is full of ironies. Here was a company that has built its riches by mining tribal land and displacing tribal people proudly announcing its intent to museumise cultures that it has actively eroded. Id like to share two articles of mine in this context. In 2006, I had interviewed Vice President Tata Steel Mr. H.H. Nerurkar upon his insistence that I hear his side of the story regarding my article on the January 2 killings of 13 tribal men, women and children at the behest of Tata Steel in Kalinganagar. A few excerpts from that interview, and links to the entire interview which is quite illuminating in the way Tata Steel employees actually perceive the world and the adivasis. Excerpt from the interview: Nerurkar talks about Tatas service to the adivasis. Jamshedpur is a shining example of Tatas commitment to the upliftment of the adivasis, he says. NJ: Sir, do you have a break up of how many adivasis and people from other communities are there among your senior management. HHN: Were a secular company. Fifteen years ago, we decided not to maintain [such records] on communal lines. So we dont really know. But adivasis have benefited. Were an excellent mix of people. There is at least 20 percent adivasis in the workforce. NJ: But among the senior management? How many adivasis? How many Brahmins, for instance? HHN: We have no adivasis in our top management. At my level, there are none. Most of the adivasis are in the workforce. At my next level, at GM levels about 5 percent or so. I was talking to some adivasi leaders. We go to put these kids through some English medium. NJ: Sir, Tata Steel has been around in Jamshedpur for more than 100 years now. But it seems like 100 years of tribal upliftment by Tatas has not worked. I mean, with 100 years of help, not one adivasi person could make it to the top management? HHN: Tata Steel has improved the standard of living. There are many special initiatives for tribal development. In spite of doing all this, tribals have not reached where they ought to have, even in Jamshedpur. Tribals have to be looked after much more. Madhusree Mukerjee Xavier Dias The entire interview can be viewed at corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14111 The article on Kalinganagar killings can be viewed at: corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13620 The Times of India article on Tatas bid to preserve Tribal culture can be viewed at: timesofindia.indiatimes/city/ranchi/Tata-to-promote-tribal-culture-across-state/articleshow/43355993.cms
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 03:28:45 +0000
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