In the documentary “Blood Coltan” it is clearly shown how abundance of a certain natural resource can lead to destruction of a nation rather than developing it. Coltan is a dull black metallic ore from which the elements niobium and tantalum are extracted. Coltan is used primarily for the production of tantalum capacitors, used in many electronic devices. Coltan is important in the production of cell phones. Thus it can be understood the importance of extraction of coltan because of its use in cell phones and other devices and the demand that it creates in countries that manufactures these devices. Congo is one of the countries that produces coltan and the issues in the documentary that are discussed are about Congo.

The documentary shows how rebel group make the native people there to work so that they can extract coltan to sell it to the world market so that the money earned can be used to buy more weapons. It is shown that how women are treated there by the rebel groups, how they use brutal force to make people work as slaves and extract coltan. Coltan is difficult to mine because it takes around three days to march into the forests to dig out the ore.The government is handicapped and is unable to do anything. Also Rawanda has made it difficult for the Congolese to extract this ore

The United Nations has done certain surveys and they have tried to stop the illegal mining of coltan but the rebels always come up with different trics to tackle the UN. The companies like nokia and Motorola have denied to comment on any of this. They say that coltan that they use is not imported from Congo.

To stop this illegal activity the countries and companies that import this mineral from Congo should understand the seriousness of the situation and stop importing it from controversial areas so that the war lords who get financed this thing become financially weak. To end the misery of the people it is important to take these steps.

Dear Shiv Sir

Fair Trade is one of the most unique courses that I have come across. The concept of Fair Trade to help establish people who can be prospective entrepreneurs and who have a weak financial background is actually very different. The principles that Fair Trade has been following are the principles that are helpful and always beneficial for the society. Apart from this I really like the objective that Fair Trade has created for itself and to become a part of this will be my privilege. Finally I would like to thank U Sir for accepting me as the member of the group.

Thanking You