Mayilamma

Mayilamma was an Indian social activist whose claim to fame was the campaign against Coca-Cola company in Plachimada in Palakkad, Kerala. She belonged to a native tribal community.^[1] She was the recipient of the Speak Out award by Outlook magazine and the Sthree Shakthi Award.^[2]

Mayilamma was directly affected by Coca-Cola's operations in Plachimada, in Kerala's Palakkad district. The water in her well (in Vijaynagar colony in Plachimada) had been so heavily polluted by Coca-Cola's operations that it has been deemed unfit for human consumption.

Mayilamma played a key role in the campaign to hold Coca-Cola accountable for water shortages and pollution in the area, and it was under her leadership that the community forced the Coca-Cola bottling plant to shut down in March 2004. The plant has remained shut down since.

Mayilamma, a member of the Eravalar tribe, was the founder of the Coca-Cola Virudha Samara Samiti (Anti Coca-Cola Struggle Committee) in Plachimada which has spearheaded the campaign against Coca-Cola. The Anti-Coca-Cola Struggle Committee has held a continuous vigil directly outside Coca-Cola's factory gates since April 22, 2002, demanding its permanent closure.

Mayilamma lived with her extended family in Vijaynagar Colony in Plachimada, and is survived by three sons and a daughter.

Mayilamma died on Jan 6, 2007.^[3]

References

1. ^ Sudeep's diary: Mayilamma
2. ^ Mayilamma - The best known face of the local people's struggle for water preservation in Kerala's northern district of Palakkad.
3. ^ The Hindu : Kerala News : Mayilamma, symbol of anti-cola stir, is no more