Medha Patkar is an Indian environmental and social activist. She is the founder of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a movement that opposes the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. Patkar has been arrested and detained several times for her activism, and she has been the target of death threats.
Patkar was born in Mumbai, India, in 1954. She studied at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, and she worked as a social worker in the slums of Mumbai before becoming involved in the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
The NBA was founded in 1985 to oppose the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which would displace over 200,000 people. The dam is a part of the Narmada Valley Development Project, which is a large-scale irrigation and hydroelectricity project.
The NBA has been fighting against the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam for over 30 years. The movement has used a variety of methods to protest the dam, including marches, demonstrations, and hunger strikes. The NBA has also filed numerous legal challenges to the dam.
Patkar has been a key figure in the NBA. She has led many of the movement's protests, and she has been arrested and detained several times for her activism. Patkar has also been the target of death threats.
Despite the challenges, the NBA has been successful in raising awareness of the issue of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The movement has also forced the Indian government to make some concessions, such as providing compensation to those who have been displaced by the dam.
Patkar is a powerful voice for the poor and the marginalized. She is a tireless advocate for social justice, and she has inspired millions of people around the world.
Medha Patkar is a true inspiration. She is a powerful voice for the poor and the marginalized, and she has dedicated her life to fighting for social justice. Her work has had a significant impact on the lives of millions of people, and she continues to inspire others to fight for a better world.