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dam-l LS: Satyagraha Thanks letter
>From NBA:
Dear Friends,
This year's Satyagraha in the Narmada valley was a special 4-month long
struggle. The sincere commitment shown by thousands of adivasis, farmers
and displaced people of the three states to save their rights and ways of
life proves beyond doubt that the strength of the dalits, farmers and
adivasi people and the power of the women, can alone challenge the corrupt
political system and the destructive face of development. But what was most
valuable, rather invaluable, was your support and participation. Peoples'
movements from all over the country and supporters reaching to our hearts
came with suggestions and advised on the strategy and gave direction to the
Andolan. They organized programs in solidarity spanning various states
such as Kerala, Delhi, Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and
Madhya Pradesh. We know that our feeling of gratitude or thanks will not be
acceptable to you, as you feel that this struggle and the true direction of
the new constructive work is for the benefit of us all and we are together
in this. But still. This letter is to express our feeling, our
gratefulness, and reassure you of the bond that touches our heart and
awakens our mind.
Adivasi people immersed in the satyagraha with the samarpit feeling, women
and men of Nimad, youth from all regions, and the Andolan activists who
were in the jail for 14 days, the strength in each one of us has
increased. But in front of us is also the challenge. The struggle in the
Narmada valley is at its peak today. The voice against the Sardar Sarovar
is resonating against other big dams in the valley, exposing the new and
old atrocities of the government and vested interests, asserting the right
to live on our land, forest and waters. In this, 'nav-nirman', the re-
constructive work, with an alternative approach with appropriate technology
will play an important role. During the Satyagraha in Domkhedi planning of
a few projects towards alternative energy generation, self-reliant farming,
production from forest produce has commenced. Jeevanshalas, prohibition,
protecting village forests, are ongoing activities in several villages of
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. That's why 'struggle and reconstruction',
the synthesis of both, is showing the path ahead. Developing alternatives
on the tributaries of the Narmada like Veda and Goi on one hand and fight
against the global forces and capital driven markets, as part of the
Maheshwar struggle, continue to be on the agenda. The latest challenge is
also of the farmers' agitation initiated from Gujarat but supported by
Shetkari Sanghatana, a farmers' organization in Maharashtra. Leave aside
the baseless lowest level agitation against Narmada Bachao Andolan which
are being refuted but they are also claiming all official estimates of
benefits to be true and are beginning an action through Kar-seva (selfless
service) to dig a lower level canal (bypass tunnel) at 88 meters to use the
waters pounded till date. There should be no objection to this but for the
fact that the waters are not likely to be taken to the drought region of
Kutch-Saurashtra and the benefit to some regions, ready for sugarcane
growing on a large scale, will make a skewed distribution of water and the
project a fate accompli. More importantly, we believe that dam or any other
project should proceed with full and genuine participation of the affected
people. Present kar-seva ignores all these issues, so we have to deal with
this, asserting the truth.
Once again the fight against the Sardar Sarovar will take place in the
highest court. Hearing the petition of the Gujarat government on the issue
of 'contempt', the court rejected their plea to remove the Andolan from the
case. Showing some disapproval of Andolan's actions but pointing to the
importance of hearing the points raised by us in the case, the court has
set the date of December 2nd, 1999 for further hearing with a focus on the
issue of resettlement. But the Andolan is once again duty bound to draw the
attention of the court to all the issues pertaining to the dam. Apart from
the court we have to remain active in disseminating our holistic vision of
development, criticizing specifically atrocious plans on Narmada and the
most critical challenge in the Sardar Sarovar Project. There is an urgent
need to initiate programs with clear assessment of politics around and
sensitivity towards social environment. We trust that all of you will be
active with us in this phase following the Satyagraha, adding impetus to
the Andolan. With this objective are some crucial suggestions:
1. In the Supreme Court, Maharashtra Government's stand is of utmost
importance for the fight against the Sardar Sarovar project. The new
Maharashtra government should take a stand in the court like the Madhya
Pradesh government for a total review of the Sardar Sarovar by a new
tribunal. There is the possibility of Maharashtra Government giving its
support in legal terms for such a stand taken in the petition by the
Andolan and in the new independent petition by Madhya Pradesh. Voicing your
opinion in this direction and expressing your thoughts you can write to
Vilas Rao Deshmukh, CM of Maharashtra, Mantralaya, Mumbai 400021 on behalf
of your organization and as an individual. It would be great if you can
start writing immediately, today itself.
2. Discussions and debate on Narmada and other big dams are continuing with
even greater fervour. In newspapers or in the media please personally take
it upon yourself to respond immediately to any articles or news against the
Andolan that express doubt or raise questions to spread misinformation. You
may also get other competent people to respond. This is always to be done
very promptly.
3. Not just big dams, it is necessary to have a discussion in the society
on the destructive direction of development and our thoughts on
alternatives should be made clear. For this we should have debates, panel
discussions and organize awareness yatras, in which academic institutions
and civil society groups other than peoples' struggles can also be
involved. Please contact them.
4. Today the Andolan has a full collection of media including a set of
video documentaries. Artists have played a special role in the Satyagraha
through literary work, photo exhibitions, street plays, songs and various
performances. Some of them are thinking of calling a meeting of all these
groups in the valley. It is hoped that you will connect various local and
national issues with the issue of 'Narmada se ho sahi vikas' (from Narmada
will flow true development) and keep up the ongoing work of awakening
common people. At the local level, issues such as 'water' and
'displacement' should be kept foremost in the agenda.
5. Today we have great expectation from the youth. We should reach out to
various youth groups, also to the students and help them initiate youth
associations for true development. We should ensure that these
associations will work together with the issues from Narmada to global
level in the spirit of national alliance.
6. Those who have been inspired by the writings of Arundhati Roy --
organizations, artists, eminent persons etc -- should be kept in contact
and involved in their own way. Please send us their names and addresses for
regular communication.
7. We have to further our work on rehabilitation and continue the creation
of opportunities with those who have been displaced by the Bargi dam. From
fishing to agriculture, we need your hand in developing the programmes and
financial assistance.
8. Andolan expects its appeal for young new activists for mobilization
organization, Nav-nirman work as also for support and administration, to
reach out.
9. While attracting young new 'karyakartas' (activists), we are also on the
lookout for people and groups who may be able to provide their small
Mandhan (honorariums). The support needed is Rs 800-1000 per month for each
activist. Kindly identify such persons or groups and link them with us. [NB
the NBA does not accept any funds from abroad - PMcC]
10. As always, we are dependent on our supporters here, for continues
support in finances and in kind. Giving time for various activities of the
Andolan including mobilization in the valley and outside, research and
documentation, running various offices etc. [NB the NBA does not accept any
funds from abroad - PMcC]
11. There is a plan to launch a program of 'Jan Vikas Dindi' (long march)
in Maharashtra to propagate the issue of Narmada and our vision of
development. Once the programme is finalized (mostly in December) by the
concerned support groups, you will know be informed. Do keep enquiring
about the same and join it, if possible.
Anyhow, be with us, add to our strength and show the way.
Once again, with respect and solidarity,
-- Narmada Bachao Andolan.