Memories of Darkness

We are not expendable. We are not flowers offered at the altar of profit and power. We are dancing flames committed to conquering darkness and to challenging those who threaten the planet and the magic and mystery of life." 

-  Rashida Bee, gas survivor

Bhopal is a city in central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh. On the night of December 2-3 1984 at the Union Carbide pesticide plant, a gas leak occurred. Over 500,000 people were exposed to methyly isocyanate(MIC)  gas and other chemicals. The toxic substance made its way into and around the shanty towns located near the plant. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy is considered as the world’s worst industrial disaster. The loss of life was estimated to be over 16000 and at least 500,000 people were affected for life. The continued effects of the tragedy can be seen even today where children are born with malformations and brain damages. Largely considered to be caused by negligence from within, Union Carbide Corporation and its Indian subsidiaries have largely succeeded in marginalizing the story of the disaster that sullied their reputation.