Binalakshmi Nepram, secretary general of the foundation, said New Delhi and Bangalore were the top two arms trade hubs in India -- apart from being places where defence decisions are made and military hardware are manufactured.
Now, the upcoming Aero India 2009 is what the foundation is looking at. Nepram said around 600 companies from India and abroad will participate in the show. “The UN deems aircraft as part of conventional arms and ammunition. In this regard, we want to draw attention to the larger picture of arms trade and the impact it has on the lives of millions of people,” she explained.
The members of the foundation have planned a meeting in Bangalore when Aero India starts. They will try to highlight various issues revolving around arms trade. A human chain protest on MG Road is also planned. There will be a training session for volunteers of the foundation.
The foundation comprises members ranging from college students to academicians to survivors of gun injuries and journalists. There are even singers and ex-military personnel men.
“We hope to draw the society’s attention to how the sale of arms in the open market can harm us, especially the youth,” she added.