A dozen Agenda for Ekta Parishad South India
The National Committee of Ekta Parishad has decided to emphasize on constructive programs as a way forward in the coming years in-order to build more extensively from the grassroots and from marginalized communities in India. This will include four parts: (1) strengthening the grassroots economy; (2) focusing on capacity building of grassroots leaders; (3)facilitating greater grassroots governance; and (4) taking up grassroots fundraising.
Ekta Parishad has developed regional focus around various organizations:
MGSA will focus on Chambal region in western MP ; MJVS on Baghelkhand in
central MP, and NAVARACHANA on Bundelkhand, north central MP. Ekta Foundation Trust
has its focus in south-central area and Mahakaushal in the eastern part of MP.
In other states and regions Ekta Parishad will be coordinated by affiliated organizations.
Some of them are active and others are being revitalized.
For all the six states in South India, the coordination will be divided
between Madurai and Pondicherry. The
lead in the coordination will be Mr. Biju, memberof the national committee, who
is tasked with constituting a regional committee that will be responsible for
the work carried out in south India. In course of time Ekta Parishad will
identify other anchoring points in each state.
Our Program focus
will be as follows.
1.
Land struggles and
land reforms: Land reform is an unfinished agenda in India. Ekta Parishad has done
substantial amount of work on this subject in north India. We have now identified
many land struggles in south India as well. They need to be strengthened and an
advocacy strategy needs to be put in place to address this issue.
2.
Adivasi Life and culture:As Adivasis are a small part of the population in every state of South
India, they don’t have a voice at the policy level. They have remained victims
of policies and programs that are announced from the top. Protecting the life
and culture of Adivasis is the agenda on which Ekta Parishad has worked for
many years. We will continue to focus on the same area in South India as well.
3.
Strengthening Rural
economy with a focus on Poor: The Covid-19 pandemic has destroyed the economy and more so in the rural areas.
Re organizing rural economy is an urgent need. Ekta Parishad would like to
support all initiative for building local, sustainable and nonviolent economy
with people’s participation.
4.
Promotion of
Natural and Organic Farming: In South India there is already a shift towards natural and organic
farming in a big way, and there are also consumers demanding natural and
organic products. Ekta Parishad would like to explore this potential and
promote the same wherever possible.
5.
Bonded Labour
Action and Advocacy: Unemployment and poverty are two reasons
why people get into bondage. On one side there is an urgent need for
rehabilitation of released bonded labours, but on the other there is a need for
high level of mass education and advocacy to prevent outward migration. Ekta Parishad can use it’s past experience in
this field to advance this work.
6.
Youth leadership and
Peace building in conflict areas: Ekta Parishad has already supported a very important process in
the districts of Kannur in Kerala where the political violence has reduced to
some extent. There are many other areas of conflict that also demand resolution
of conflict. Some of those conflicts and
between Adivasis and Forest Department; industrialization by land grabbing; and
also caste and communal conflicts. A deeper understanding of how to address conflict
is a priority area for Ekta Parishad South India. Large numbers of young people who are looking for meaningful involvement
can use this as an opportunity to take up conflict resolution actions to bring
greater peace in the society.
7.
Women empowerment
and access to resources: In this field South India is more
advanced compared to many other states of India. Women in this part of the
world do play a important role in the political and economic field. Kudumbashri
in Kerala or the micro finance in Andhra Pradesh and Telungana are generally
shown us women led transformative programs. Of course there is a lot more that
need to be done, if women need to take control over land and resources. Networking
with and empowering women will be a very important area of our work.
8.
Art and theatre for
social transformation: Art and theatre has been a part of Ekta
Parishad work in South India for many years. As a result, Ekta Parishad has built
a network of those who are experienced in teaching and training in cultural
action. Integrating art and theatre with social movement building will be our
main focus.
9.
Education to
reality. A NaiTalim perspective: Education in
India is being run like an assembly line in an industry by churning out
students with degrees and certificates. This does not give young people life
skills. As a result, activities related to alternative education (formal and
informal) is being promoted. Many Ekta Parishad associated groups are
interested to make education as a tool for liberation and this process need to
be strengthened individually and also through planned collaborative activities.
10.
Tours and Travel
for promotion of Peace and Harmony: Bringing travelers to the field to
see experiments of nonviolence and peace building has been part of the work of
EP South India for many years. This can be upgraded with more learning
activities, as there are now two centers in Tamilnadu: the CESCI Center in
Madurai and the Jai Jagat Center in Pondicherry. These learning activities can
include mediation and conflict resolution, adopting alternative lifestyle
especially in food preparation and gardening, theatre and cultural forms of
nonviolent communication and so forth. Ekta Parishad can also link with other
groups in South India and promote their interest and capacities in this field.
11.Response to Disaster: As most of
the states in South India are connected to costal area, disaster has become a
common phenomenon. Covid-19 has brought new challenges. We are now
collaborating with organizations that can handle disaster management
efficiently. This action will also include educational programs that will look
at long term environmental reconstruction so as to preempt some of the disaster
in future.
12.Grassroot
Democracy: Without participatory democracy none
of these activities are sustainable. It is important that there is democratic
process happening at the local levels that can influence the decision making at
higher levels. Decentralization of power
to the panachayats (local Government) and preparing the panachayat leaders for
nonviolent governance is a challenge in a country of this size. For Ekta
Parishad this is an important area of work in the coming years.
For more details please contact K.Biju Phone: 9952116413 or Email: bijukallidumbil@gmail.com
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