The forests of the state of Karnataka in India hold some real exciting natural habitats, besides a massive biodiversity of trees and plants. To preserving this, there were a number of non-governmental organizations, and one of the more prominent was Namma Aranya, which meant Our Forest.
Nandita its secretary was having a rather busy day. The work for her usually began at around 10 AM, but today she had to be at office sharp at 8, as there were scores of reporters keen to get a soundbite from her. As she walked towards her office after alighting from her car, she remembered the wise words of the Director, Rajesh Kupanna, “Nandita, never ever say anything more than a word of what you have to, to the press. As it is, they will twist every possible word you say, and god knows what they will articulate if we use one wrong word. So, once again, say just the fewest words possible and fend them off.”
Nandita completely agreed with Rajesh. While the press was indeed an important weapon in any activist’s armory, she knew she had to be careful in this particular instance, where the entire political spectrum of the state had been involved. She knew it was time to be play her strongest suit – humility
An environmental organisation tries to prevent a large corporation from clearing off large areas of a forest in India, a country known for, among many other interesting characteristics, its strong religious beliefs.
The large corporation overcomes all the legal cases and street protests that the organization is able to organize.
The organization’s head is at his wit’s end, and then his secretary, a regular to the local temple, suggests an idea.
A few days later, a local news daily carried a new item about the discovery of a few old precious idols of popular gods in the nearby forest area.
Within a few days, popular protests break out against anyone touching the forest land, the government immediately steps in and classifies that region as a national heritage site, and orders that no clearing of that region could take place.
The secretary was heard telling the organization’s chairman the next day, “You know, sir, getting those idols was not difficult, but making them look quite old was”.