Information on Padyatris

  1. Name: Mohammed Anwar Hasan Siddique..
  2. Age: 55 years.
  3. Gas affected or contaminated water affected [details]: I am affected by both gas and contaminated water.
  4. Address [present and in 1984]: At the time of the gas leak my address was House No. 27, Opp.LIG P3, Tila Jamalpura, Bhopal. Afterwards we shifted to House No. 964 A, Housing Board Colony, Indira Griha Ashram, Karond, Berasia Road, Bhopal.
  5. Occupation [in 1984 and now]: I used to deal with wood products till June 2005, now I run a small grocery shop.
  6. Life worries [indebtedness, illness in the family, livelihood]: I have a son who is 29 years old, but he is very weak. His case has also failed in court. Since my income is very meager it is very difficult to meet the household expenses.
  7. Income and source of income: I earn about 70 to 80 rupees per day from the grocery shop.
  8. Compensation amount and how was it utilized: I received Rs. 200.00 per month for three years as interim relief, then I got Rs. 35,000.00 and second time also I got Rs. 35,000.00. All this money was used for treatment. A little from this was invested in the shop.
  9. Deaths of family members, relatives, friends, neighbours, cause of death, date of death: My mother died in 1987.
  10. Illness due to disaster: I had severe backache. My eyes burnt a lot. I also suffered from breathlessness.
  11. Current illness [due to gas exposure or exposure to contaminated water]: Nowadays I suffer from boils on my body. These are red in colour. When they burst they itch a lot. I have eczema on both feet.
  12. Association with organizations: I am involved with the Mahila Purush Sanghatan headed by Syed M Irfan.
  13. Participation in rallies, demonstrations, direct actions, fasts, how many, when was the first time, where was it Bhopal and elsewhere: I have participated in the World Social Forum at Mumbai in December 2003. There I took part in a drama and played the role of Uncle Sam. After coming from Mumbai I took part in a demonstration at Roshanpura Naka in 2003.
  14. Arrests, jail terms, beatings, legal suits: No.
  15. Activities [other than participating in protests] for improvement of the condition of survivors: Along with other people in my locality I help out in keeping the neighbourhood clean.
  16. Expectations from the Padyatra: I am 100% sure that my sonsŐs case will be reopened and I will get justice.
  17. Worries if any: I have no worries about the padyatra. I am sure that we will reach safely.

Mohd. Anwar Hasan Siddique.

11th February 2006.

MOHAMMED ANWAR HASAN SIDDIQUE, 55 years

At the time of the gas leak i used to live in Teela Jamalpura, Bhopal. In 1995 i moved to the Housing Board Colony in Karond.

I used to work as a wood turner but the doctors at Sambhavna Clinic told me to stay away from dust. Since last year i have stopped working with wood and now I run a small grocery shop. I have a son who is 29 years old. He was not given any compensation. He was exposed badly and was never in good health, he is very weak. I earn about 70 to 80 rupees per day from the grocery shop. My wife also stays sick. She sews clothes and earns some money.

I got 70, 000 rupees as compensation. Most of the money was spent on my treatment. I used to be very sick. I am much better since i have started taking treatment at the Sambhavna clinic..

I have severe backache. My eyes burn a lot. I also suffer from breathlessness. I have to use an inhaler several times in a day.

I am involved with the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha.

I went for the World Social Forum at Mumbai in December 2003. There I took part in a street theatre and because I am fair complexioned I was given the role of "Uncle Sam". I have been to several demos before and after the WSF.

Along with other people in my locality I help out in keeping the neighbourhood clean.