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DAM-L LS: Update on Satyagraha (fwd)
Satyagraha Update
August 1 - 25, 2000
The Narmada Satyagraha has entered the second month with higher enthusiasm,
vigor and strength. The first two weeks of the Satyagraha after being
inaugurated by Admiral Ramdas on the 15th of July witnessed events like
youth camp, march to police camps, rally to Block Headquarters, different
meetings in villages including the villages which have joined this year.
The next fortnight was also eventful for the Satyagrahis. It is the
strength and experience of the movement which has helped it to go further
ahead in its characteristic goal, 'Sangharsh aur Navnirman' (Struggle and
Reconstruction). This year's Satyagraha has been a step forward in this
process of going ahead with struggle, while maintaining the ultimate
objective of an alternative, people-oriented, humane development. As number
of organisations and activists from other parts of India and world kept on
joining, the people in the villages participated large numbers despite the
crop failure and poor monsoon. This is an indication of the seriousness
with which the people are determined to face the struggle for life.
The fascist manner in which the Gujarat stopped the people from reaching
Domkhedi-Jalsindhi and hearing the woes of the affected was yet another
happening during this time. Here are the details.........
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They Are Afraid of Those Who Are Not Afraid of Them
(woh unse darte hain ki jo unse darte nahin hain)
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In yet another bout of the reactionary intolerance, the Gujarat government
has deployed hundreds of police and has blocked all the ways towards the
Satyagraha place in the Narmada valley, to prevent the oustees, supporters
and prominent people from going there to attend the "Saga of Narmada", a
peaceful programme of the oustees to be held on Thursday (August 24).
Retired Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and renowned human rights
campaigner Jst.Rajendra Sachar, legal luminaries from Gujarat
Adv.Girishbhai Patel of Lok Adhikar Sangh and Adv.Haroobhai Mehta (former
M.P.), Senior journalist Vidya Bal, educationalist Jyotibhai Desai,
intellectuals, academicians, artists, senior activists and other concerned
citizens in all 34 people were detained at Baroda on the 24th morning. In
other places, fifty people from the rehabilitation sites of Gujarat were
stopped at Kavat town and about 500 were detained at the border village of
Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, by the Gujarat police. Meanwhile in
Nimgavan-Domkhedi, the Saga of Narmada went on as scheduled with over 1500
people from the tribal hamlets of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat,
plains (Nimad) of Madhya Pradesh and supporters from different parts of the
country and abroad. Noted litterateur and Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy
(who had a stopover at Baroda for almost 12 hours whose reaching Domkhedi
via Baroda), Socialist leader and former Khadi Board Chairman Surendra
Mohan, Member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly Dr.Sunilam, senior
Socialist activist Kumar Saptarshi, film maker Jharana Jhaveri and others
could reach the place.
Seeing a very good response in the media and among the intelligentsia for
the Saga of Narmada, the state administration blocked all roads leading to
Domkhedi / Jalsindhi from 21st night onwards. It was queer that the Gujarat
government was preventing the people from going to the programme in
Maharashtra and M.P. At 2 am on 22nd, an activist of NBA and 4 other
supporters from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu including two women were
rounded up near the NBA office at Baroda, while they were travelling in a
jeep. At the time of detention (under Bombay Police Act 68) there were no
women police, nor the police station was equipped enough to keep women at
night. They had to sit all through the night along with men police. It was
only when they refused food till 11.30 am, that the police gave them in
writing the reasons for arrest. Among the reasons given by the police for
this act, it was stated that Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) govt. has asked govt. of
Gujarat to prevent people from going to Jalsindhi. They were released later
at 9 pm. Jst.Sachar and organisations from Baroda visited them and conveyed
to the police their resentment in the way the Gujarat government is
responding.
Since 22nd August, there was police vigilance around the NBA, Baroda
office, making note of the people going in and out of the office. On 24th
morning about 100 police were placed around the office. Everyone was asked
a series of questions before entering or leaving the office. When they
refused to let the people go at one stage, Jst.Sachar personally had to
come and help them go ahead. His request of an order and the reason to
block their way was not answered by the police.
Later in the day when the eminent guests were getting out of the house
where they assembled, they were arrested at 9 am even before boarding the
vehicles. They too were detained under BPA 68. They were kept at the police
headquarters till 7 in the evening. All 34 of them utilised their time in
the police custody to have serious discussions on many topics, including
different aspects of Sardar Sarovar Dam.
-----------------
The Saga.......
-----------------
At Nimgavan-Domkhedi, the "Saga of Narmada" programme went as scheduled.
The dignitaries reached there gave a patient hearing to what the people had
to say. It started at 12 pm with the Jeevanshala (School of Life) students
singing Andolan songs. Inspite of Gujarat govt. turning rabid, many people
from Gujarat could make their way to Nimgavan-Domkhedi, for the program.
Dadlya Karbari (Village head of Domkhedi) welcomed all guests. Baba Muvaria
of Jalsindhi (M.P.) spoke at length on the impacts of dam on the peaceful
lives of the tribals and their natural habitats, including the animals,
forest, insects etc., whose right to life is never taken care of. " The
beautiful river Narmada is now a dead river with the partially constructed
dam. The cost of mega dams are never holistically looked into, and nobody
took care to see who is sacrificing for whose benefits".
Keshavbhavu Vasave, described the fifteen year long process through which
Andolan has evolved. He recalled the times when the surveyors came to the
villages and asking Rs.50 to include their names in the register as
affected, a time when no hospital or school found its place in the
villages. From the formation of Narmada Dharangrast Samitiin Maharashtra
and other committees in other states, and emergence of NBA, the Harsud
rally in 1989, the fight against the World Bank; the Long March of Ferkuva;
the first submergence and the Manibeli Satyagraha from 1991-'94; the
martyrdom of Rehmal Vasave; the process and conditions which lead to
Jalsamarpan (Ultimate Sacrifice) it has been a long struggle which made the
dam stop in 1995. " This is a fight for life and livelihood and against
destructive development plans and policies", he said.
Veteran activist Deverambhai Kanera, from Nimad, M.P., narrated the process
in M.P. from 1987 and how the basic issues of Andolan evolved, including
the unity of farmer, dalit and tribal community in the fight to protect the
lives and natural resources; the brutal repression of the State; long fasts
which was undertaken time and again to press each issues. "This is not a
fight just against a dam, but a fight for a new freedom, new empowerment",
he concluded.
Domnebhai who was relocated to Rozva resettled site in 1994 -95 from
Chimalkhedi village in Maharashtra told the gathering how the government.
lured them to the rehabilitation sites with tall promises. Once they were
shifted none of the officials came to hear their woes. Many are yet to get
agricultural lands, land titles are not given yet, amenities are still a
far off dream, their major sons are not provided with land and separate
houses, as the Rehabilitation Policy promises. When complaints were made
they were told on the face that if they want they can stay or can go to
hell. He told that the fight should go on and shouldn't get into the trap
of officials.
Prabhubhai Tadvi, the main activist working in the Gujarat resettlement
sites, narrated the plight of the people in the Rehabilitation sites of
Gujarat, some relocated 15 years back and even more are yet to be properly
rehabilitated. Even the oustees from the first village came under
submergence, Mokhdi, are yet to be rehabilitated fully. Those who didn't
get proper rehabilitation are still in the hill tops of original villages.
Thousands of grievances have reached the Authority set up to redress it.
Yet the state government is trumpeting that the rehabilitation is ideal the
best under the sky! About the state of people ousted by the colony in 1961,
only a meager Rs.150 or 200 was paid for an acre of land. The cases of
canal and sanctuary affected are far from satisfactory. The much heralded
"life line of Gujarat" has already proved to be a death noose, with the
largest displacement in Gujarat itself..
Rajesh Tiwari articulated about the pathetic condition of Bargi dam oustees
even after 10 years of the completion of the dam. Moreover, Bargi dam
irrigates only 5% of land which it promised to irrigate. Due to intense
struggle from 1990 onwards the oustees managed to obtain the right of
fishing and draw-down cultivation to survive their life.
Shri.Shethubhai, a Maheshwar Project Affected Person, expressed his anger
towards the planners and appealed the politicians and bureaucrats to come
out of their selfish mind-set and avoid displacing and exploiting the poor
through destructive projects like Maheshwar. While stating that the
struggle in SSP and Maheshwar are one, he also said that, it is only due to
continues intense agitation against the Maheshwar Project, they could expel
most of the foreign companies who came forward to fund in the Project. The
first privatised power project has to be fought tooth and nail, he appealed.
Ramesh Billoray, senior activist-researcher from Narmada Sagar Project
(NSP), stated that NSP which will displace 254 villages, is more
destructive than SSP and Maheshwar. He feared that the way in which the
Madhya Pradesh government is going ahead with distribution of cash
compensation and dam construction is inhuman and will lead to large scale
displacement and destruction to ecological balance.
International supporters expressed their solidarity to the cause.
Supporters from different parts of the country were there in large numbers.
The program was enriched with songs, slogans and tribal dance, which went
on to late night, much beyond the program.
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At Renda village (boarder of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat)
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There was going a parallel hearing at Renda, in the presence of over 500
men and women from Nimad villages, who were stopped by Gujarat government.
They came into Gujarat, upto Renda and held the daylong meeting. Jagannath
Kaka, Dr. Sugan Baranth, Clifton, Ashish and others held a " Lok-Panchayat"
on the dam and police behaviour. The "Panchayat" directed that the SSP be
abandoned and restored the life and liberty of the people.
Thus, the knee-jerk reaction of Gujarat government converted one programme
into three programmes on the Narmada on the same day.
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Response of the Civil Society
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People from various walks of life condemned the fascist action of the state
government. Other than Amnesty International and Jst.Krishna Iyer, various
organisations in Gujarat, Kerala and other places, former Chief of Navy
Ad.Ramdas, eminent litterateur U.R.Ananthamoorthy and others too join in
decrying this as undemocratic.
Extracts from some statements..................
================================
Criminal offence
----------------------
I am given to understand that the police here have been given orders to
detain my colleagues and me when we leave Baroda for Domkhedi tomorrow
morning. No law has been shown under which this action is proposed. We are
not breaking any law. We are only exercising our fundamental right of
movement and free speech, inspite of the police warning not to do so. If
inspite of our wanting to exercise our basic rights peacefully and within
law, any of us are detained, arrested or prevented from moving, it will
amount to criminal offence of restraint and wrongful confinement. In that
case we make it clear that we shall bring criminal complaint against the
highest of political personnel and of the police administration in a Court
of Law.
Threat of arrest will not deter us. That strength we reiterate, more so in
the state of father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Rajindar Sachar
25-8-2000
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Undemocratic and Fascist state
We, the human right organizations, people's organizations, Voluntary
Organizations and citizens of Gujarat hang our head in shame in the
undemocratic and fascist manner in which the Government of Gujarat curbed
the basic right of the luminous human rights campaigners, writers,
environmentalists, representatives of various people's movements,
academicians, artists and others by preventing them from going to hear what
the oustees of Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) dam have to say to them. All of
them were not against the Project, but were keen that the rights of a human
being shouldn't be compromised for any developmental projects. This is
nothing short of state terrorism and emasculation of freedom of opinion,
assembly, expression, and movement.
As citizens from Gujarat, we express serious concern on the unfettered
lawlessness in the state endangering the lives and castrating the rights of
minorities, dalits, tribals, women, and people questioning the wrong doings
of the State. Umbergaon, Dangs, and Narmada are just a few examples.
We urge the state government not to stoop down to the level of a Barbarian
State, unleashing terror and brute force, but hear and address the issues
raised for the last 15 years by Narmada Bachao Andolan. We support the
right to life of the people of Narmada Valley and oppose unjustified
destruction of lives, livelihood, and natural resources of the area.
Organisations in Gujarat
25.8.2000
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Reprehensible and pathetic
....... there are fundamental rights for every citizen of the country and
unless there are extra-ordinary reasons for apprehending eruption of
violence on a macro-scale, police action to arrest persons of the stature
of Rajinder Sachar displays reprehensible conduct and will be condemned by
the people. I appeal to the Chief Minister to.... pursue the democratic
path of convincing the common people rather than scaring fellow Indians by
threat of arrest. Arbitrariness of Government is unconstitutional and
police terror in Gandhi country is pathetic.
V.R. KRISHNA IYER
25.8.2000
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Amnesty International condemns actions of Gujarat police.........expressing
concern at their actions in detaining around 600 people who were planning
to attend a public hearing on the Narmada dam being held today in Maharashtra.
Amnesty International believes that those arrested in Baroda and other
parts of Gujarat in the past 48 hours have been detained solely on the
grounds that they are planning to exercise their right to freedom of
opinion and expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
..... Amnesty International has drawn attention to Articles 19 and 20 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which provide that everyone has
the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to freedom of
peaceful assembly and association. These rights are reflected in Article 19
of the Constitution of India.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
24 August 2000
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OTHER ACTIVITIES..........
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International Peace Day/ Children's Celebrations
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International Peace Day (August 6th) was observed in the Narmada Valley
with a children's programme where about 500 boys and girls participated.
The event was held at the Satyagraha hut in Domkhedi and was attended by
the Adivasi children, their parents, NBA activists and supporters from and
outside the valley. Most of the students belonged to the 'Jeevanshala'
(schools of life) run by the Narmada Bachao Andolan in the villages for the
last nine years. They were from the villages of Maharashtra, Gujarat and
Madhya Pradesh including Nimgavhan, Bharad, Savariya, Jalsindhi, Turkheda
affected by the impending submergence and displacement caused by the dam.
The programme included thee song on the importance of protecting Mother
Earth from destruction- either by bombs or by dams, and the skit on dangers
of atom bombs. Among the prominent people who attended the function were
Niki Cardazo, Prof. Naresh Dadhich, Dr. Mirajkar, etc. Dr. Leo Rebello, who
had been at Hiroshima last year, reflected from his experiences from then
and discussed how the effects of the bomb are still being felt there. An
exhibition of photographs displaying the destruction caused by atom bombs
was also organised along with an oath taken to fight for peace in a
peaceful manner and to live in a harmony with the nature. The first ever
book in the Adivasi language of the region Pavri, named 'Amarya Kaanyaa'
(Our Stories) was released on the occasion.
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Martyr's Day observed at Jalsindhi
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On 8th August, large number of people from 10 villages - Chilakda, Akadia,
Khodamba, Jalsindhi, Umberla, Scindiabari, Badamba, Dupkheda, Khundi,
Khudar and Anjanwara held a meeting where many isues were discussed and the
same raised during the rally and meeting with the Tehsildar, SDM and
Rehabilitation officer (all Alirajpur).
1.Regarding the recent notices that had been issued by the forest
department on 'encroachments' -nevad,
2. 'Khatha phod' i.e. division of land between heirs - which the revenue
dept refuses to do in the submergence villages as they say all the land has
been acquired and transferred to the NVDA. under the MP policy for
rehabilitation adult sons are not eligible for the land for land package.
This in itself is unfair because in Gujarat adult sons are eligible for
land and having different policies for different states which are affected
by the same project is totally unjustified. the crucial issue here is that
the division of the land among heirs is usually not done officially till
the person in whose name it is dies. this is because of the corruption and
inefficiency of the bureaucracy. on the ground, however, according to
custom, adult sons are given their own plots of land to support themselves
and their families. As a result there are persons who are as old as to have
grand children are listed as adult sons and so according to the M.P. policy
they are not entitled to land.
This, though they may be supporting large families or might have children
who themselves have independent families. Therefore the demand of people
has been that either adult sons also be made eligible to land for land
package or the division of land be done atleast among those who were 18 as
on the date of land acquisition, which would make them official land owners
and hence eligible to the rehabilitation package (actually this is what was
supposed to have taken place during the land acquisition process according
to Mr. Tiwari of NVDA who has stated when the people met him on February 13
in Bhopal ). This demand was acknowledged as being reasonable by the
tehsildar who then went on to promise a meeting with the NVDA and the
revenue dept.
People demanded to know from the Rehabilitation officer, Alirajpur and the
tehsildar the list of those who have been claimed as to have given written
consent to go to Gujarat and the list of those who have given no consent
and those who have given consent for rehabilitation in M.P. Also people
wanted to know the total no. of PAPs remaining to be rehabilitated in
Alirajpur tehsil, the total land required for the purpose in M.P, the
details of available, irrigable, cultivable land suitable for community
rehabilitation in M.P. The official wasn't able to produce any information.
Promised to provide the same within two days. They strongly condemned the
attempt to offer very bad, totally uncultivable land to people and made it
clear that such offers were non-offers and were not to be made in future.
The R.O. promised that it would not be repeated and he would also inform
the senior officials regarding this. Orally he admitted that there was no
land available. Non of the officials were able to give details regarding
the possible extent of submergence or a list of those whose lands or houses
might be submerged. Promised to make available the list in two days.
The other issues raised were regarding alternate means of transport as all
the approach roads to the villages had been submerged, drinking water
problems, demand for wells, other basic facilities like school, ration shop
etc.
In the morning before taking out the rally Adivasi martyrs day was
observed, where all the adivasi men and women who had given their lives in
the freedom struggle and the various struggles for right to life and
livelihood were remembered and a resolve was made to carry on this struggle
so as to honour their sacrifice and to realise their dream of a new and
just world. People gathered together in front of a statue of the adivasi
martyr and a banner in honour of Rehmal. Kailash bhai explained the
significance of the day and remembered various leaders like Bhima Nayak,
Khaja Nayak, Tantia Bhil, Chitu raja (local) and Birsa Munda, Bir Narayan
Singh etc. Dad Dedia, of village Anjanwara related the whole struggle that
they had come through and the various ways in which they had fought and the
successes they had had. Bawa Mahariya of Jalsindhi spoke of the various
people who had sacrificed their lives but went un-mentioned in the books of
history but remained alive in the minds and hearts of people. He spoke of
Rehmal who had given his life in this very struggle. Sitaram bhai pointed
out the importance of carrying on the struggle. Two minutes of silence was
observed to honour all the martyrs. Songs on local leaders were sung by the
Jeevanshala (School of Life) children. Later, about 300-350 men and women
took out a rally to the police camp to insist on their rights.
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Justice Kurdukar's Visit- A Revealing Experience
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The Grievance Redressal Authority (GRA) set up to look into the
resettlement of Maharashtra oustees of Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP), headed
by the former Justice Mr. Kurdukar made a first ever though brief visit to
the SSP affected villages on August 7th and 8th and heard very few people
in very few villages leaving the villagers unhappy with the kind of
'inquiry' that was conducted. The GRA visit to Dhadgaon was no different as
the short five-hour visit gave an ear to only 10-12 oustees. Despite the
attitude of the GRA, the people brought fourth a number of serious and
basic issues regarding the displacement and resettlement to the notice of
the Authority. At Kewadia colony, near the dam site, a delegation of
oustees from Maharashtra though they were resettled in Gujarat, met him.
However, Justice Kurdukar, the Chairman of the GRA for the grievances of
Maharashtra oustees too refused to look into their cases, on the grounds
that these were the responsibilities of another state (Gujarat).
It is a fact that hundreds of families, ousted for years, are still
languishing in resettlement without the lands. It is also known that the
government is trying to take away the lands of those who were resettled
some years back and give it to other oustees. Keeping together all these
factors, NBA understands that the GRA under Mr.Kurdukar, as is appointed by
the state govt. with the concurrence of the Supreme Court, should conduct
its inquiry by consulting as many villagers, by accepting, studying their
statements and hearing them. After such a full inquiry, the GRA may submit
its independent and truthful report to the Supreme Court.
Mr. Kurdukar, stated later in a press address that the Government of
Maharashtra has enough land for resettling all the oustees in Maharashtra.
This bewildering and stunning assertion, concurring with the version of the
state govt. has come even before he submitted his report to the Supreme
Court after completing a full and independent inquiry.
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Dhadgaon Hearing, Rally and Sitting in Dharna
------------------------------------------------------------
As per Mr.Kurdukar's recommendations, the follow-up to the proceedings in
Manibeli, Bharad, Domkhedi, etc. was conducted at Dhadgaon from 10:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. on 09/08/2000 at the Govt. Rest House where he was residing.
At least a thousand people were present for the hearing and sitting in
Dharna on the road outside the rest house, singing songs, chanting slogans,
performing street plays while the hearing went on indoors.
The very nature of the hearing and the kind of specific and detailed
questions left the affected parties with very little space and time to
express concerns that went beyond mere compensation for losses incurred in
times of submergence. Inspite of this, the people managed to squeeze in
issues of non-settlement of land rights and the non-implementation of the
Supreme Court Order in 1995. They pointed out that notices served by the
government with reference to Land Acquisition had been allowed to lapse, as
a result Land Acquisition Act could not be applied to them. Thus, what they
were now offered was not according to the Act, but ex-gratia. Medha Patkar,
the only person who was allowed any intervention on behalf of the affected
people, was somehow able to draw the attention of the GRA to this very
crucial issue of land rights including rights on 'encroached' forest land.
Among the other issues that were brought in was the non-availability of
land with the Maharashtra Government for a just and fair rehabilitation.
The proceedings left the people with a sense of disappointment as very
little was achieved in concrete terms. It was disheartening to note that in
spite of great preparation on the part of the PAFs in terms of submissions,
applications and presentations not a single issue was resolved and no
attempt was made to question the officials present responsible for the
people's complaints.
All through the hearing the people sat outside the rest house conducting
their Dharna with a defiant nthusiasm. Amidst slogans and songs, speeches
were made by a number of persons including Lalaramji from Bargi and
Bhimbhai from Kevadia colony and the support group also enacted a play.
-------------------------------------------
Independence Day Celebrations
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Amidst the slogans of 'Hammare Gaon me Hamara Raj' (our rule in our
village) respected Sarvodayi and freedom-fighter Siddharaj Dhadda unfurled
the national flag in the presence of over 700 representatives from the
valley, on the 54th Independence Day of India, in Nimgavhan. The Narmada
Bachao Andolan flag was raised beside the Indian flag along by the senior
activist, Ranya Padvi. This notion of tribal self-rule as the pathway of
true independence was a theme throughout the day in meetings, and the
following day flags were planted on the Satyagraha tree in Domkhedi with
the names of each village on them as an assertion of self-rule. Furthering
this the Adivasis took the oath in Pavri, their own language. Over 300
children from the Jeevanshala, and numerous villagers and outside guests
and speakers participated in this event.
Independence Day is so often a celebration of a country's victory over
oppression, but in Nimgavhan, it had an additional meaning of the people's
continued resistance against the injustice and exploitation within a
nation. The people of the Narmada reshaped the vision of independence- on a
day, in a country where the archaic dam technology is still held forth as a
symbol of progress and modernity, where teachers collect money for teaching
students who exist on paper only, and where the loss of land and livelihood
is termed development.
----------------------------
Micro-Hydel Project
----------------------------
On Independence Day (August 15th) the first micro-hydel project was
launched in Domkhedi. The project has an installed capacity of 300 watts
and will provide light in each of the eight houses in Khutavari-pada
(hamlet) at Domkhedi. The turbine has been provided and installed by energy
experts Anil Kumar and Madhu from Kerala's Peoples' School of Energy (PSE)
group. They, along with Chhogalal Dawar and Champal Avasiya, two activists
from Nimad villages who have been trained in micro-hydel in Kerala, formed
the team that worked towards the successful installation of the project.
The labour was provided by the Satyagrahis through the daily Shram-dan
('donation of labour').
The people have been very enthusiastic with the results of the project, and
held a celebration under the first ever 'street-lamp' in Domkhedi with
singing and dancing into the night. Along with generating electricity, the
project brings drinking water from a spring to the houses. Water is usually
carried long distances, and this feature of the project will significantly
reduce workloads, especially for women in the village, around water collection.
Under globalisation, foreign investment funds are flowing into the power
sector, making power generation and control over these services that much
more removed from the people who use them. With a power generation capacity
of 90,000 mw 60% of rural households do not have electricity in this
country. Decentralization of the power sector and tapping into hybrid
sources of energy, examining alternatives such as solar, wind and bio-mass
are the only viable solutions to disparities in access to power. The
project in Domkhedi is a step towards utilising the alternative potentials
in the Narmada Valley, as was the pedal power generator that was installed
earlier during this Satyagraha. Projects such as these give the people
control over the benefits being generated, a stark contrast to mega
projects such as Sardar Sarovar.
A number of organisatoins from within the country and abroad visited
Satyagraha and strengthened the hands of the people. Lot many individuals,
students, professionals, and people from other walks of life too took part
in the Satyagraha.
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Children's Books in Pavri / Bhilali
--------------------------------------------
This year's Satyagraha also had a new aspect to it which was the releasing
of the first ever books in the Adivasi language, Pavri for Adivasi
students. They were:
1. 'Amara Kanya' (Our Stories) prepared by the Gurujis (teachers) of the
Jeevanshalas as a part of an attempt to provide primary education in the
mother tongue of the students. A collection of stories, the book also has
information on the rich variety of trees and plants in the forest, and
knowledge about herbal plants and their medicinal use that is very much a
part of the Adivasi communities, while exploring the intimate relationship
between Adivasi culture and the forest.
2. 'Aksharan Olkhan' (Getting to know alphabets OR Learning letters) is a
primer in Pavri and Bhilali, to facilitate reading- writing in Adivasi
mother tongues. Each alphabet/letter is introduced with the help of
pictures of objects that are part of a child's immediate environment (like
trees, birds, fruits, musical instruments, etc..). This primer in Pavri
hopes to make reading-writing more enjoyable and meaningful to the first
generation Bhil-Bhilala learners in the Narmada valley.
These books are part of our attempts at a more meaningful education and
also hope to strengthen education that builds on the wealth of knowledge
and wisdom of Adivasi communities, while exploring the newer horizons.
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River & Life: People's Struggle in the Narmada Valley
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Sanjay Sangvai's book River & Life was released in Mumbai on the 1st of
August at a function by Admiral Ramdas. Mr. Ramesh Billoray, a senior
activist of Andolan and who wrote the first book in English on this issue
was a special guest at the occasion. It is an attempt to view NBA as being
one of the major, popular movements in post-Independence India which has
successfully challenged the present, inherently destructive model of
'development'. The book is an emphatic and honest portrayal of the efforts
of the NBA in a complex context, depicting the larger canvas in which it
has been operating.
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Govt. Surveys on doldrums Effects of Sardar Sarovar underestimated
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In a major revelation, casting serious doubts of the authenticity of the
surveys conducted by the different governments in the Narmada valley,
independent surveys have indicated that the level of Jalsindhi (Madhya
Pradesh) mentioned in the govt. records are wrong by 3 mts.
A study conducted by Dr.Ravi Kuchimanchi and a team have conclusively
proved that the survey of levels in the Sardar Sarovar Dam project can be
off by as much as 3 metres so as to grossly under-estimate the amount of
submergenceLast year when the Narmada rose to 98.8 metres on Sept 21,
waters entered Loharia's house (lowest in Jalsindhi) and people were
standing knee deep in it, challenging the unjust SSP dam. If the lowest
homestead in Jalsindhi was actually at 101.5 metres, waters should not have
entered even a single house in that village. Benchmarks are supposed to be
highly accurate, even to the last millimeter and this one that says 105.900
metres is actually at 103 metres!
This proves a gross underestimation of the effects of submergence in the
valley during this monsoon and after. Hundreds of families, who did not
find their names, as 'affected' will have to pay for this callousness. The
affidavits submitted in the Supreme Court about the people who will get
affected this monsoon, and the steps taken to rehabilitate them will also
be proved wrong by this.
The consequences of this underestimation can be well noted in the case of
Bargi dam the first major dam completed on Narmada in 1990. Bargi dam,
which was originally supposed to submerge only 101 villages, ended up
drowning 162 villages.
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Satyagraha.......
--------------------
On one hand when the Satyagraha is going on with all renewed vigor and
enthusiasm, the rains are deceiving the villagers and the crops by not
being on time. This is the 'dichotomy' better explained by a villager as
"...if it rains, we are drowned and if it does not, we are starved..." This
'dichotomy' is the special characteristic which makes the Narmada
Satyagraha very different. But the fact remains that it does not have to
rain in the valley to cause floods here. Last year the devastation was
caused by the large releases from upstream dams like Bargi, Tawa. So the
valley is expecting floods any time in September and so is the 'Samarpit
Dal' prepared to face the submergence.
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Appeal for friends and supporters..........
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Andolan has always gathered strength from the active participation,
critique and suggestions from out supporters and friends. At this crucial
phase, we appeal you again to tell us what you feel, how should we go ahead
the strategies, the programs.
We appeal to condemn the undemocratic actions of the Gujarat, preventing
people from know the truth and listening to the affected people. We urge
you to take up the matter in your area / organisation and condemn the way
you feel good. You can also appeal to other human rights organisations to
take up the matter. Please keep us informed about the things you plan to do.
We also appeal you to encourage your friends to generously donate to NBA.
As you know, we receive only funds from within the country, and with the
imminent submergence, and the indifference of the Government, our
responsibility to provide basic relief in case of extensive damage is high.
Please draw cheques / drafts in favour of Narmada Bachao Andolan and send
it to Ms.Parvin Jehangir, 261 Jupiter Apts., 41, New Cuffe Parade, Mumbai
400 001.
Volunteers who can spend any time between one month and one year (and even
more!) is welcome. They can involve themselves in the organisational work
as well as the Nav Nirman of the valley.
We look forward for your comments, suggestions, ideas and above all, your
visit to Satyagraha.
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More on Satyagraha...........
Visit ....... http://www.narmada.org/events/satyagraha-2000/
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