Endosulfan's Devastation: A Biennale's Haunting Reminder

0:00On March 27th, haunting photos of children with deformed limbs and swollen heads are drawing crowds at the Coaching Miseries Biennale in Kerala, India. These images, captured by photojournalist Madhurash, highlight the lasting damage from Indo-Sulfan, a toxic pesticide sprayed on cashew plantations in, Kassargaad district for over 20 years, starting in the 1970s. The spraying happened two or three times a year and later spread to crops like tea and rice. In 1990s, locals noticed birth defects in kids and animals along with issues like cerebral palsy, epilepsy, skin rashes, breathing, problems, and cancers. While some scientists questioned the direct link, Kerala's pollution board halted its use in 2004, followed by a global ban in 2, 2011, and India's nationwide prohibition that same year. Protests erupted in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with parents carrying their affected children to demand help and justice.

1:00Many victims came from poor labor of families and disadvantaged groups, facing extra hardships from poor nutrition and limited medical care. In 2017, India's Supreme Court ordered Kerala to pay about $5,400 to each of 5,000 victims, but Mahodaj reports that plenty still haven't gotten their money. Maharaj spent two decades documenting these families, seeing how the poison wreck lives with parents carrying for multiple disabled kids or elderly, spouses hit by long-term exposure. One heartbreaking case involved a mother who struggled alone after losing family support, leading to tragedy for her 28-year-old daughter, with disabilities. These photos that the biennale remind us that such environmental disasters and their human toll demand ongoing attention to prevent repeats. From around the world, powered by AI, this is Global News Today.