• An immediate end to Vedanta’s refinery operation in the (Kalahandi, Orissa) area, and cancellation of plans to open the mine.
• The Indian Government to recognise and protect the constitutional rights of traditional forest dwellers to remain on their ancestral lands.

Yet this and other groups like Amnesty International are absolutely silent in regards to the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits, the impact of Christian conversion and its related land dispossesion effect upon Hindu tribals, the adverse impact of Bangladeshi infiltration and the damage caused to India's traditional culture and people by the many and massively funded foreign NGOs.

India's Supreme Court recently approved, (in early August 2008), Vedanta Resources Bauxite mining project in Orissa. The Vedanta Resources mining operation is in the Kalahandi district bordering Kandhamal, Orissa.  Once operational India will become the world's largest source of Bauxite. Currently Australia is the world's leading producer of bauxite. After successfully destroying its aboriginal population, Australia now has no impediments to harnessing its natural resources. Only problem is that competition from India threatens their continued domination.

The South Korean Project and Vedanta Resources Project combined will bring Orissa into the forefront of India and the world. These two projects alone have the potential to make Orissa one of the premier dynamic industrial power centers of India. This is completely unacceptable to certain interests.

For the record India's National Congress Party and Rahul Gandhi have clearly stated their opposition to these projects. Strangely during Rahul Gandhi' March 2008 visit to Orissa he escaped his State Security team and 'melted into the night' to visit with people deep in the Maoist controlled areas of Orissa. This is an unprecedented highly questionable act that should raise serious concerns regarding Rahul Gandhi's loyalty to India and respect for law and order.

 It is quite obvious that the Maoist are being empowered in order to keep India's Industrial capability  in check, among other things. Once the BJP assumes power at the center, the Maoist revolution will be unleashed upon India. It is obvious that Nepal's recent Maoist takeover was a practice run for India. A recent Intelligence Bureau report submitted to India's Union Home Ministry revealed that the Naxalites (Maoists) are planning to 'liberate' 35% of India's territory by the end of 2009. 60 years ago, a Communist leader form South India had a visit with Joseph Stalin. He was taken aback when Stalin told him that his dream of a Marxist India would never succeed unless and until India was bordered by a Communist country. With the advent of a Maoist Nepal there now exits an unbroken red corridor from the borders of Nepal running deep into South India.

 India's Congress Party works hand in hand to disempower India's Indigenous potential. In fact, the recent and odd confession by Orissa's Maoist leader regarding the killing of Lakshmananda Saraswati is quite revealing. When we compare his statements with the Congress Party, the various Communist Political parties, the Christian and Muslim pressure groups, the Indian media and the so-called Indian secularists we find that they are speaking with one voice. They share a common enemy in the Sangh Parivar and parrot each other word for word. This bespeaks of an unholy nexus committed towards a dysfunctional and vulnerable India.

The recent Tata imbroglio in West Bengal was not a mere example of messy local Indian politics. It was an International conspiracy organized by certain vested interests and parties that correctly identified Tata's affordable Nano car as a major threat to their monopolies. Tata himself mentioned a conspiracy by competitors as being behind the trouble in Singur, W.Bengal. Currently the Italian Corporation Fiat is promoting its small size FIAT 500 auto in India. The longer Tata is delayed in producing the Nano, the more time its foreign rivals have to develop a non-Indian substitute and corner the Indian market.

In mid-November 2007, with obligations never before demanded from Indian or foreign based Industry, India's Supreme Court gave Vedanta Resources an opportunity to develop its Orissa mining project. Vedanta was ordered to take into consideration the environmental and cultural needs of the region that will be impacted by its projects. Vedanta pledged an unprecedented amount of money towards the environmental and cultural security of the region. In August 2008, after months of preparation Vedanta resource's Indian subsidiary was cleared by the Supreme Court, to go ahead with its mining project in Kalahandi, Orissa. Vedanta Resource's opponents around the world responded with anger, shock and outrage

In another significant development, in one of the most significant takeovers in mining history Vedanta Resources acquired the US's third biggest copper producer, Asarco, through its subsidiary, Sterlite Industries. Thus Vedanta Resources is now set to become one of the world's top copper producers. Unlike many corporate powers, Vedanta's CEO Anil Agarwal has been recognized as one of the world's leading philantropists. In 2006, Anil Agarwal, chairman, Vedanta Resources, announced plans for a multi-disciplinary university in Orissa with an endowment fund of up to $1 billion modelled on Harvard, Stanford and Oxford. Anil Agarwal is setting up Vedanta University spread over a 6,000 acre campus that will ultimately accommodate 100,000 students. Agarwal plans to present the university as an elite institution, modeled on the lines of Stanford University. It would target "the young Indians who now leave the country in droves to study overseas," According to Forbes Magazine. No doubt this is the kind of action that will create a dynamic and self reliant India capable of competing on a global level.

Agarwal has also committed a $20 billion organic growth investment in India over the next four years. Organic investment refers to growth by developing projects rather than by growth through the purchase of new assets. This will obviously translate into major expansion for Indian Industry and infrastructure in a very short time. People speak of India as a new or rising Superpower.  Agarwal's, Tata's, Mittal's and other Indian's plans for India are what make this a feasible reality. Therefore their endevours are being attacked.

The Colonial mindset is still at work and India is seen as the domain of foreign based powers. In their eyes India is meant to be a source of income and the proceeds are to be invested in projects overseas. In a repeat of that very same wealth-draining system that Gandhi fought against, these foreign powers have no intention of developing India into a self reliant power.  On the other hand, Indian business leaders have a natural affinity for their Motherland and people. Thus they strive to not only make money in India but to create an empowered India of increasing wealth. They are working towards the development of a first world standard infrastructure for India.

An article in the Scotsman Newspaper regarding the Scotland based Martin Currie Investment Management's $5.5 million disinvestment from Vedanta Resources correctly highlights the problem of "viewing complex problems through the West's prism of morality". "But the ethical investment debate raises uncomfortable questions about whether the affluent West is making moral judgments and applying its own standards to complex situations."

We see the usual players involved in opposing India's progress. Many groups like Amnesty International, Human Rights groups, Environmental organizations, The Norwegian Government Pension Fund – Global, (the world's second largest such fund after Dubai, both members of the Oil cartel OPEC) have joined together to attack Vedanta Resources and hamper its growth both internationally and in India. In early November 2007, the Norwegian government publicly indicted Vedanta as "grossly unethical". India's Supreme Court applied Norway's actions and statements against Vedanta Resources when it made its judgment a week later.

Interestingly the Govt of Norway has also invested heavily in Orissa through its Norway-India Partnership Initiative (NIPI). Norway's Government made an $80 million grant to India in efforts allegedly related to health issues. However when one is aware of Norway's track record in Sri Lanka it is highly doubtful that such plans are beneficial for India in the long run.

According to Falk Rovik, the President of Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT), the Norwegian govt is the major source of funds for LTTE terrorists.  He has been very critical of the Norwegian government's role of providing facilities for the Tamil Tiger terrorists to launch anti-Sri Lankan government and anti-peace process programmes on Norwegian soil. Rovik revealed that the Norwegian Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) also sponsored studies which resulted in papers drawing up programmes on how best Norway could infiltrate key areas like the community of Buddhist monks to push their political line.
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) is a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). It has many ongoing projects within India. http://www.indiastat.com/india/ShowData.asp?secid=17963&ptid=297&level=3
Rovik has proven that Norad is also used to fund LTTE terror against the Sri Lankan Govt.

Norway's proven links with the LTTE and Rajiv Gandhi's murder by an LTTE terrorist does bring up some serious concerns. In addition, Norway' support of anti-Israeli terrorists and close ties with its fellow OPEC members must be recognized. For the record, The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) is deeply involved in East Timor. In fact East Timor is the location of the longest lasting Norad-financed project coordinated by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. After East Timor's Independance from Indonesia, which was granted after much ethnic strife, Norway successfully took control of a majority of East Timor's oil production.

As India expands its industrial base, it has many challenges to overcome. There are many valid issues and concerns involved. The current resistance of Orissa's Kondh tribals to Vedanta's mining projects and the threats to their sacred traditions are real. The Kondhs of Kalahandi have clearly stated that they are prepared to lay down their lives in defense of their sacred mountain Niyamgiri. The threat to Orissa's water table and wildlife are genuine concerns. However the harnessing of these concerns by various foreign powers and international pressure groups is a path fraught with many dangers. Thus the mid-November 2007 visit of a delegation of Orissa's Kondh tribals to the Norwegian embassy and subsequent visit with two representatives of Norwegian finance ministry sets a bad precedent and is a bad omen.

India does not require other countries nor any international agencies to protect its own people nor ecology. India does not require foreign leadership to harness its resources. In fact India as a civilization has the world's most impressive and successful track record in regards to harmonious long term development. The problems that are there can be solved and should be solved. Its high time the world step aside and let India solve her own problems and unleash its potential for the benefit of not only India but for the benefit of the entire world.
Vrndavan Parker

PS Below are some relative articles verifying several key points

When a peace delegation of the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) went to Norway for peace talks during the then UNF administration, Norwegian government gave Rs. 240 million (US$ 2.4 million) to the LTTE, says Karuna Amman, who is currently under the detention of British authorities.
http://www.mawbimanews.com/2007/12/norway-gave-rs-240-million-to-tamil.html

The court said it would consider permitting SIIL to operate the mines attached to the alumina project provided it agreed to stringent conditions, important among which are:
l Giving Rs 55 crore as NPV (to be used for afforestation and forest preservation in the area)
l Giving Rs 52.5 crore for the protection and preservation of wildlife
l Giving Rs 12.5 crore for tribal welfare
l Forming a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the Orissa government and the OMC for scheduled area development of Lanjigarh
l Contributing 5% of the net profit before taxation to the SPV annually
l Committing to the number of locals who could be given permanent employment
"If SIIL agrees to all these conditions and files an affidavit to that effect, we will consider permitting them to start bauxite mining operations in Niya-mgiri Hill areas for the alumina plant," said a bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia. From India's Supreme Court Court Injunction Nov 23 2007

Norwegian government indicts Vedanta as "grossly unethical"

The world's second largest sovereign pension fund, operated by the Norwegian government, last week sold all its shares (worth around US$13 million) in Vedanta Resources plc.

The fund's Council on Ethics, after nearly two years research, found that the continuing to invest in the UK company would present "an unacceptable risk of contributing to grossly unethical activities". http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=8260

A few days after Norway directed its pension fund to sell all shares of London Stock Exchange-listed Vedanta Resources Plc and not to invest in it further, a delegation of Orissa tribals Monday met Norwegian embassy officials here to express their gratitude.

A few days after Norway directed its pension fund to sell all shares of London Stock Exchange-listed Vedanta Resources Plc and not to invest in it further, a delegation of Orissa tribals Monday met Norwegian embassy officials here to express their gratitude.

'A delegation of Dongaria Kondh tribals went and met two representatives of Norwegian finance ministry in the embassy and gifted them two photographs of Niyamgiri Mountain,' said Simon, a supporter of the tribals.'The tribals said thank you as a goodwill gesture to the Norwegian government and hailed their concern for environment and human rights,' Simon, who regularly travels to Orissa to make a documentary film on the tribals.

http://www.indiaprwire.com/businessnews/20071119/25590.htm

Campaigners have also written to governments worldwide as well as local authorities in the UK and companies such as Dundee-based Alliance Trust, Standard Life, Barclays Bank, Abbey National and HSBC, asking them to sell Vedanta shares. They have contacted the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and Aberdeen, which have money in Vedanta through the Universities Superannuation Scheme, which has more than a million shares in the firm, worth about £18 million. A spokesman for Vedanta said last night he could not comment on Martin Currie's withdrawal. He added: "There has been no displacement of indigenous people, as Survival International claim.'' http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Scots-firm-pulls-cash-out.4388531.jp

The Norwegian council said its recommendation was based on reports from Indian authorities, the news media and nongovernment groups, as well as its own investigations.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/07/business/EU-FIN-Norway-Oil-Fund-Ethics.php

Later, a senior SPG person got off the vehicle and engaged me in conversation. While we were talking, two vehicles left the place and melted in darkness." Inquiries revealed that Rahul Gandhi went incognito to Maoist-infested Kandhapungar village, about 30 km from the guest house. His secret trip was organized by an NGO for which a senior IAS officer from New Delhi reached Koraput via Visakhapatnam some days back. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2848771.cms

Nitharsanam.com, one of the key websites run with the emblem of the Royal Norwegian government, was branded as "the messenger of death" because it regularly issued death warnings to anti-Tiger Tamils. The first warning to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lakshman Kadirgamar, was issued by this Norway-based Tamil website directed by Pottu Amman from Vanni. Shortly afterward Kadigamar was targeted by a Tiger sniper in Colombo. http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/5280

Rahul Gandhi, general secretary of India’s ruling Congress Party, has spoken out against British company Vedanta’s plans to mine the Dongria Kondh tribe’s sacred mountain...Rahul Gandhi said, ‘Personally I feel mining the hill will destroy the environment, destroy the water supply source and destroy the culture as well as the livelihood of tribals.’ http://www.survival-international.org/news/3138

Knock down St. Paul's Church to raise awareness of Orissa desecration
Brendan O'Donnell, an ActionAid campaigner, said: 'This is a David and Goliath struggle - we've applied to knock down St Paul's Cathedral to raise awareness of Vedanta's outrageous plan to destroy the Kondh's spiritual home. Just as Londoners wouldn't tolerate the demolition of their cathedral to make a quick buck, so the Kondh people won't allow their treasured mountain and forests to be destroyed.
http://www.nerve.in/news:25350015063