(Eradicate Drought : Save Humanity)
January 01, to February 28, 2006
The social
action that is visible in the Padayatra is incredible. Yesterday, over 2000
people walked in the town of Kalamb in Osmanabad district. Most of them had
gone to the border of Beed district to welcome the Padayatra as it entered
Osmanabad. The atmosphere was fantastic. Hundreds of women braved the sun and
participated.
This stupendous
response is proof of the fact that the common person in rural areas is not only
affected by the pervasive drought but is willing to fight it.
So how is the civil society and agencies that
financially and technically support social development going to respond.
The
padayatris have been debating this question, talking to people, listening to
their suggestions. Here is what we feel could be possible interventions
In almost all villages natural peoples leaders are emerging. They have the will to fight drought. They have support of the people. What they need are knowledge inputs, perspective building and a sense of reassurance that they are not alone – that they are part of a larger war. We are looking at extensive training, exposure and hand-holding.
A number of rural experts have been identified. These are people rich in traditional wisdom. They have knowledge that will help the community address drought and poverty. Problem is that they don’t have a voice nor do they have any forum. We need to develop a forum for them. Understand their thoughts and ideas. Communicate them to others so that they may also benefit. Implement these and test them out.
Technology has the power to alleviate peoples miseries. How one wishes that science and technology ceases to be the hand-maiden of business and takes a lead in leading development initiatives. We need to take technology to people. Large Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Agriculture Science Centres) are passé. What are needed are mini centres of excellence where issues like agriculture, water management are experimented with and solutions found.
As part of the armaments in the war on drought, we will need small research studies to understand technical and social developmental issues related to specific areas / issues. We are not possibly looking at long drawn academic research. We are looking more at studies that will help in designing solutions.
The time has come for civil society to ensure that the situation does not go out of hand again. Are we always to wait for a crisis before waking up? Do a thousand children have to die in a month in a district before we start talking of a nutrition programme for them? Do 100 farmers need to commit suicide before we wake up and try and fix the poor state of agriculture? In Malkaranja (where the Padayatra was yesterday) we saw one farmer who has 40 active bore wells in his farm which nestles by the side of a farmer who committed suicide last month! We are proposing the formation of a SOCIAL WATCH PROCESS in the state of Maharashtra (to begin with). This process can keep track of a variety of social indicators in a way that government can never. It can raise alerts. Warn us of the perils and plan action. We know that it can be done. It is possible. It will be done.
The Padayatra is raising social capital. It is coming up with ideas of how to intervene and improve the situation. What is now needed is visionary, committed, strong and sustained financial backing. Without this backing, things will happen but slowly. We are committed but we will lose momentum. We will have to wait another generation for ending poverty. We cannot afford to do that.
Is some one listening? Some one with the
desire, power, vision and mandate to alleviate poverty? Someone untrammeled by
artificial boundaries and constraints?
If you are… please do act now. Get involved
in the Padayatra process… find out how you can contribute and make a
difference..
Everything is set. The issue has been thrown
up and accepted… NGOs are in place and aware of the issue… people are ready…
the iron is hot… it is time to strike…
Get in touch with us… we are waiting… people
are waiting…
grnearth@vsnl.com, 020-25466103,
09422521703
On behalf
of Dushkaal Hatawu : Manoos Jagawu
January 13,
2006