Terrible tragedy. Though our economic situation in the U.S. certainly is dismal, we should always remember that there are people who are suffering far worse than we are, and need us to use our privileged first-world resources to help them.

Debt can creep up so fast in these situations for farmers, and in the face of changing climate conditions, natural disasters, and market fluctuation, individual farms do not get much support. It's so terribly sad that suicide became the only way out for so many. I think being in debt has deep cultural ties to shame, which keeps people in silence. I'd love to see more openness about that subject. I draw the analogy to the way a lot of media people vilified those who got caught in the mortgage scams as bums and lowlifes, those undeserving of the houses they bought. Of course forgetting that there was a ton of greed and government deregulation of the credit industry which played on peoples weaknesses. We are all human here! As the grand daughter of a farmer, my heart goes out those affected by those suicides.

E. Sheppard I had not heard about this horrible event. So many people. Their poor families, too. I agree with you that attention needs to be paid to Earth Day and to Global Warming so we can help all the people of the world who need it. And the news needs to be focusing on all important stories, not just narrow ones with a narrow focus. And instead of all the money people in the world are spending on war, they should be spending more on helping others all over the world and fighting global issues like these weather changes and helping people cope with them.

I wrote about the random suicides and published at Ezine Articles, more than two years ago, based upon a regular news report in the NY Times. Not without great meaning the common method of suicide was to drink Roundup or a similar farmer's helper. We should publish photos of Indian and other farmers, drinking Roundup. Free advertising for our corporate brothers and sisters. The suicidal trend is expanding. Next thing we know, everyone will have to produce their own food. That ought to slow the madness. Let us ask this question: When agriculture fails anywhere, what would be a good alternate occupation? Import sprouting seeds and market sprouts and fresh juices door to door? Grow premium export crops on small plots for premium profits? Polish and market pet rocks to the West? The tragedy is that death should appear to be the best available alternative. I do not believe nothing good can be done for this situation. Surely prayer is called for, and much contemplation.

This is a hard pill to swallow as so many left us at one time. It must have been a collective choice. Can we collectively make a shift/difference? Are we at the point where enough is enough? I think so, if each one of us participates. My intent is to make a difference. I hope it is collective. Renay

Oh Dear! Very sad :( ...their garden didnt grow?...but suicide?...now they will never get to see their garden grow ever! : Not to make light of it...of course serious implications when the world farmers can't survive so much so that they feel they must just give up...but suicide is a whole other issue...I mean no matter how bad it is why take your own life....if it is so bad that you will die then you will so dont take it! ...but the circumstances are sad... Agreed! Intend to be very involved in this Green series then! :) Thanks Intent for having it! :) I first read about Vandana Shiva on the Intent blog years ago and she is much admired by me! :) I even referenced her in this speech I made! :) http://universalcollectiveprayer.blogspot.com/2008/10/mother-earth-prese... And at the 5th Summit of the Americas to be held here in Triniland you all must know I did want to ask President Obama How Does Your Garden Grow? :) http://meadysmusings.blogspot.com/2009/03/president-obama-how-does-your-... Maybe I shall go on a refinery walk and see if I catch up with Michelle! :) http://meadysmusings.blogspot.com/2009/04/easter-sunday-morning-has-brok... But yep dreadful story...1500 lives gone in one blow! Sad...and yes should have not happened...and the story popped out at me too and I had to come read this becuase my reaction first was what! A real learning for me Mallika I didn't know farmers on earth had it so bad... Poor things....their gardens didnt grow! :( Fairy Godmother Sara so far no fertilizers added to my garden to date! :) I understand 10% can still make it organic though so contemplating if I will need to...

This is totally heart-breaking! I'm going to a seminar on nutrition tomorrow-- and while I feel it's very important to inform overeating/diseased Americans about the natural foods that promote health, the bottom line is that there will be no natural foods if we allow the environmental and economic ravages that drive farmers to suicide. It's all so interconnected. This is not a sad story somewhere else in the world-- it effects every one of us. Mallika-- my intention is to write the book that RR and I have been planning to awaken people from their individualistic trance to see the interconnectedness. It's tangible and it's real. I intend to use every ounce of the skill and persuasion that I've been supported to hone -- to this end-- so that people en masse wake up and assure that no farmer, no spectrum child, and no other human being, animal, or place on our precious earth has to carry the downside consequences of greedonomics. I intend to organically and easily attract those who support and contribute to this task. Out of respect for their sacrifice and the loss of their family members, I intend that my actions move and motivate and ripple through the minds and hearts of the many like an irresistible oceanic wave such that these sacred tillers of the earth are honored and protected by all...

This is so tragic. The Indian government and world governments must take care.

I read this in the Huffington Post & was stunned. I'm so sorry for these poor Indian farmers! Sometimes we don't want to admit that there is bad & evil in this world, but here it is! We have to live with this, learn from it & move on. Chuck Intrieri

Where is the outrage? Where is the outrage over this horror? I would never have known about this if I had not read your post. It makes me wonder what other atrocities I am unaware of and motivates me to make a greater effort to keep myself better informed about the world around me.

Hi Mallika- Thank you for this - it is beyond words May they be at Peace may all beings be happy and free from suffering Namaste! Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi Swami Brahmananda (Ed)

Dear Mallika, Thanks for putting up this topic. its extremely painful to think about these people. even though i dont see any immediate solution of their problem but i sincerely hope and pray that some thing productive is done for this eternally battered community. Wish you love, peace and happiness. Trisha

Do we really believe that there is no evil or bad in this life? I don't. Look at these suisides. This is the last straw for people. This should never happen, BUT IT DOES! I feel very badly about this incident in India, but it happens everyday in the world. There are things people can't face. I still remain optimistic & solve evil/bad as it arises. Chuck Intrieri

Peace Peace Peace... Love Rajesh http://rajeshmsharma.blogspot.com

Hey there, I wish people in this situation read Job. Job was a very healthy and wealthy man, who God decided to test to see if he would go against Him or not, after loosing health and wealth. Job proved himself worthy by remaining a good man, even after he lost wealth and health. In the end of his life, he died with twice as much wealth and very healthy. That