Report of Ekta Parishad South India (EP-SI) consultation held on the 15th April 2021 through Zoom online from 11.am to 1.00 pm
The following people participated.
1. Sidharth, Bangalore
2. Madhavan, CP, Bangalore
3. Anish, Bangalore
4. Sharmaji, Hyderabad
5. Narasimha, Hyderabad
6. Yadav Raju, Vijaywada
7. Palanisamy, Pondicherry
8. Inamul Hasan, Pondicherry
9. Riya Simon, Pondicherry
10. Dhanraj, Pollachi
11. Yogesh, Kodaikanal
12. Karunakaran, Chennai
13. Suresh, Dharmapuri
14. Siluvai, Chennai
15. Rajendra Prasad, Cochin
16. Santhosh, Palakad
17. Satheesh, Kannur
18. Arun, Calicut
19. Biju.K, Madurai
20. Rajagopal.P.V
Shri. Rajagopal.P.V in his initial presentation introduced the concept of eight layer coordination at South Indian level in-order to promote various important initiatives that are happening in South India. The subjects suggested are as below;
1. Land and livelihood(linkage struggles and constructive work around land)
2. Adivasis (forest based life, culture and economy)
3. Released bonded labourers (anti slavery action)
4. Rural economy (nonviolent, social, solidarity, grassroot and decentralized economy)
5. Peace building in conflict areas
6. Cultural action for social transformation
7. Youth, new generation leadership and nonviolent actions for change
8. Tourism related to environmental, cultural, peace and spirituality.
He also mentioned that a network around disaster management also necessary in the future.
Mr. Rajagopal explained why the above subjects are important and why those actors around each subject need to come together and expand their base. He also stressed on the need for building new generation leadership with deeper understanding in nonviolent transformation of the society.
Many interesting suggestions were made by the participants as they were concerned about the economic situation of the marginalized communities and also the political situation that is creating divide and conflict in the society.
· Mr. Sharma ji suggested that we should use this difficult situation as an opportunity to build a new situation.
· Mr Inamul Hasan suggested that the focus should not be only on rural but also the urban poverty.
· Mr Siddharth was of the opinion that we should club people according to their interest so that each group can explore greater possibilities within their field of interest.
· Mr. Siluvai suggested that he can bring together many land struggle groups in South India, as he was associated with them for a long time.
· Mr. Yogesh was of the opinion that the root of the problem is within the educational system of the day, any action for change should address the issue of education.
· Mr. Dhanraj and Mr. Rajendra Prasad expressed their concern about the situation of adivasis and non implementation of many laws that are in the interest of adivasis.
· Ms Riya suggested that the focus should be on youth and their leadership development.
At the end of the discussion Mr Biju, South India coordinator thanked everyone and agreed to make serious follow up of the suggestions made by each one of the participants.
In the follow up meeting on the next day the core committee felt that eight groups can be formed by clubbing all the important suggestions.
1. Peace building and conflict resolution. There are many tension pockets in different part of South India. Many teams are to be trained in conflict resolution and peace building. It was suggested that Mr. Sidharth and Mr. Sharma ji can lead this team. They may identify more people who can effectively contribute in this area.
2. Education theatre, films and other cultural activities can be clubbed together. All these activities if taken up properly can transform the society. It was suggested that Mr Yogesh and Mr. Narasimhan can lead this important area. Shanmugaraja can be an important resource person to guide this process.
3. The issue of land, adivasi, dalit, livelihood, bonded labour and urban poor can all to be clubbed into a poverty eradication basket. Mr. Rajendra Prasad,Mr. Dhanaj and Mr.Suresh can lead this area.
4. Non violence and youth leadership is an important area. If done properly a new generation leadership with a new outlook and culture can emerge from this process. Mr Inamul and Mr. Satheesh can take leadership in this area.
5. Tourism and culture of change was also identified as an important area. This can include environmental, spiritual and peace tourism. This may also bring some resources for supporting other areas of work. Mr. Sridhar, Mr. Avni and Mr. Palaniswamy have agreed to provide initial handholding support.
6. Women empowerment for socio-economic advancement was identified as an important area. There are many interesting examples in South India and they need to be brought together. Rajeshwari and Mallika with the help of Ekta Mahila Manch can provide leadership in this area.
7. Rural, nonviolent economy: Solidarity economy is something on which many friends are working. Mr Prasanna,Mr Manjunath, Mr Balu, and Mr Anandu have created some interesting models. Strengthening and scaling up this experience will be an important task.
8. Advocacy, media documentation: It was felt that there should be a strong advocacy group in south India in-order to advance the above mentioned agenda. During the election many groups have shown their interests and capacity in designing effective strategies for advocacy. South Indian coordination team will have to contact organizations like VANI, NCAS, South Asia Institute of Journalism and many other organizations to train advocacy leadership for South India.
It was also decided to form an initial committee of seven friends (one from each state) to guide and support the Ekta Parishad South India process. The following friends can be requested to be the initial team. The next meeting of the organizing committee will be held by the end of April.
1. Satya, Andhra Pradesh
2. Madhavan.C.P, Karnataka
3. Inamul Hasan, Pondicherry
4. Fr. Scaria, Kerala
5. Narasingrao.K.V, Telangana
6. Yogesh, Tamilnadu
7. Naresh, Andaman
Mr. Biju, South Indian coordinator will keep in touch with each group and help them to deepen their understanding on each one of the above subjects.
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