Remembering Meena Menon - A Solo Green Warrior
The pyre lit on the clearance in the 'forest of peace' (shantivanam) consumed its daughter, mother, guardian, one-(wo)man army. Her persevering fight for justice for herself and to the rare piece of verdant patch near Paravoor, the increasingly becoming-urban town in Ernakulam, for more than 3 years, against the might of state and its conniving politics, perhaps did not yield the desired result so far. In spite of the resistance, appeal, and public opinion against the state electricity board's covetous usurpation, indicating the priorities of the state, KSEB managed without great difficulty to aquire forcefully precious 5 cents or more in the middle of an urban forest, in the process destroying more than 50 trees.
Instead of supporting and promoting such valiant and rare private initiatives to strengthen the lungs of the planet, the state has only served to harass and exploit the family which decided to tread the unbeaten track of a green life, dedicating an ancestral property that would have easily fetched crores for a greater public good. Now who will decide between the common good the state stands for - that is, cheaper power supply or the one Meena fought for - maintaining and enriching the green patches, and habitats for several non-human species available on the land and decide for 'the greater common good'!
After years of resistance, she had to succumb to the literal loneliness the development monster had imposed on her and shantivanam, with neighbourhood being swallowed up by it, and left to her own in her lonely forest, and shift her dwellings elsewhere, for security. Today, as Meena departs as an unsung heroine from the face of the planet, through fire, I hope that the test of fire she underwent will be the strength of her daughter Uttara, and that Meena's fiery spirit will energize her to sustain her mother's efforts.
Amratamgamaya!! May she rest in peace and may her spirit continue to live in power!!
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