Marking a somber yet significant milestone, the Sambhavna Trust Clinic in Bhopal observed the 41st anniversary of the catastrophic Union Carbide gas leak by launching a pivotal Digital Archive. For 29 years, this clinic has been a beacon of hope, providing free medical care to the thousands of survivors of the world's worst industrial disaster.
A Living Repository of a Continuing Tragedy
The newly launched archive, hosted at https://archive.sambhavnabhopal.org/, is designed to be a definitive and authentic source of information on all facets of the December 1984 disaster. Danish Khan, who works in the clinic's documentation wing, emphasized the archive's role as a comprehensive repository.
He stated that the digital platform will freely provide information spanning medical, scientific, technical, legal, and corporate dimensions. It will also include details on the roles of governments, survivors' organisations, and the unfolding long-term consequences of the disaster in Bhopal.
An Evolving Resource for Global Audience
Khan highlighted that the archive is not a static collection but a growing resource. "Every work day we will be adding new information from our documentation centre to the archive," he explained. This continuous update ensures the archive remains current with ongoing research and developments related to the tragedy and its aftermath.
The clinic expresses a strong hope that this meticulously compiled resource will prove invaluable to a wide global audience. It is specifically aimed at aiding:
- Students studying industrial disasters, environmental law, and public health.
- Researchers and academics across multiple disciplines.
- Journalists seeking accurate historical and contemporary context.
- Activists and the general public interested in corporate accountability and justice.
Legacy of Care and Documentation
The launch of the digital archive on this poignant anniversary underscores the Sambhavna Trust Clinic's dual commitment: healing bodies and preserving history. While the clinic's primary mission remains the free medical care for survivors suffering from chronic illnesses, the archive ensures that the factual narrative of the disaster, its causes, and its prolonged impact are not forgotten or distorted.
This initiative serves as a crucial tool for education and advocacy, keeping the memory of the Bhopal gas tragedy alive in the global conscience and providing evidence for continued calls for justice and proper rehabilitation for the affected communities.
