Medha Patkar

2nd World Water Forum in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2000. Speech by Medha Patkar against privatization of water. John Briscoe (WorldBank) held his speech just before Patkar.

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  Nonprofits & Activism

[Mehul Hirpara]

Because of her objection now whole Gujarat State is suffuring. Dam is overflowing and water is just draining to sea. While Gujarat is in suffering with drought condition. Goverment officials said that height of the dam could have saved water.

[Peter McReynolds]

it's called passion.

[chickenflu4]

Why she is shouting like an uncivilized animal??

[Carolina Stars]

Dr John Briscoe is amazed by her ignorance!!! Just like most sane people. For lack of a better word she is crazy!

[Carolina Stars]

we in The United States of America PAY for clean water. It is not free. Most countries must pay for clean water. If not for the World Bank & DR John Briscoe some of these 3rd world countries would be in a much worse situation! Thats a fact! In Finland your government taxes are very very high & because of this they are able to offer free water but again it is not free because they take it from your taxes.. Therefore you are indeed paying for them and therefore your water is NOT free...

[peterhil]

@MsNurseM: Even if Mr. Briscoe have done his best to help 3rd world people, I think you are naive if you think that the World Bank (not mention IMF) has the same interests as 3rd world countries people.

A quote from a Wikipedia article about the Word Bank: Goldman says "These days, an indebted country cannot borrow capital from the World Bank or IMF without a domestic water privatization policy as a precondition".

[peterhil]

There have been some considerable opposition and protests against privatization of water resources across the globe: look up Water_privatization on English Wikipedia.

Clean water is going to be a scarce resource causing more conflicts on the future.

My country, Finland is in a lucky situation here, because our tap water is often purer than bottled water, partly because of the Salpausselkä ridge system that finely filters the water ending up in groundwaters in southern Finland.

[peterhil]

I may be as clueless as half of the commenters here, but politicians and people should realise the value of their countries natural resources before agreeing on selling or leasing the rights to clean water or other natural resources to multinational companies.

And I understand that clean water may not come free, but that's why we pay taxes - to have drinkable tap water among other things.

[Carolina Stars]

these "greedy corporations" are helping provide 3rd world countries with clean water!!! you want all of this done for free??? why dont you give your paycheck to them then? we all pay for water all over the world why should it be free to some and cost others??? countries are responsible for providing thier own people with clean safe water. your ignorance amazes me!!! as does this crazy ranting woman manic medha! laughable really yet disturbing!!!

[Carolina Stars]

Peterhil you are just as clueless as are all of those who have hopped on that wagon of ignorance. When you come back to reality check back in!