Technology, ‘Development’ And Resistance: Anti-Thermal Power Project Movement In Sompeta

Abstract

Though at the outset, the anti-thermal power station movement in Sompeta seemed to be a movement against land acquisition; it also has other dimensions such as environment, unemployment, and forcible imposition of unwanted technology.  Moreover, by nature, most of the technological projects which are being located in the rural areas of the country seem to be affecting underprivileged sections of society. This article investigates how the information, debates, and discussions on the earlier movements on large-scale technological systems led by people supported by activists and NGOs had contributed to the growth of technological pessimism among the people of Sompeta and how this technological pessimism become a prime factor to push the ‘subjects’ into real life participation and Resistance.