1st
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF SWARAJ
BERHAMPUR CONVENTION
The First National Convention of “SWARAJ” India was held at
the same venue, that is, at Gram Vikas, Mohada, near Behrampur in Orissa on 19th
and 20th July 1999. About 300 social activists from Bihar,
Jharkhand, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat
participated in the Convention. Dr. Badal Sengupta, Ms Gabriela, Mr. A. K.
Singh of SPAR, The National Convenor of “SWARAJ” India, the state Co-ordinators of “SWARAJ” units were among the participants of the
Convention.
Dr. Badal Sengupta inaugurated the Convention by lighting
the ceremonial lamp. The veteran social worker from Gujarat, Mr. Ramesh Shah
presided over the Convention. The co-ordinator of Orissa “SWARAJ”, the host,
Mr. Pramod Pattanaik welcomed the participants. “It is a pleasure to have
mini-India here and I hope this first National Convention of “SWARAJ” India,
will be the first stepping stone for the future organisation,” he said.
Kumar Kalanand Mani introduced the guests and suggested
that Mr. Joe Madiath, the Director of Gram Vikas, where the Convention was
held, to address the participants. Mr. Madiath said that when he came to Mohada
following the cyclone in 1971, he did not expect to stay on after the relief
work. But then he did and today he has internalised the issues faced by the
people of Orissa. Gram Vikas was now working on the issues of Dalits and
Adivasis of the Region and its efforts for alternative of development were
proving successful.
In his address, Dr. Badal Sengupta said he had ‘fallen in
love’ with “SWARAJ”. It was a Forum which finding its way in a crisis of values
and the inability of the leadership to transform society. “SWARAJ”, he said was
a Forum, where people dreaming of an aspired society could come together and
work towards that utopia.
Giving a report of activities since the foundation of
“SWARAJ”, the National Convenor of “SWARAJ” India, Kumar Kalanand Mani, said
that the Forum with a Gandhian Perspective had emerged in November 1996. “We
the social activists who have gathered here have been working for social change
for the last 25 years. We have kept in mind the Gandhian Philosophy on
development and women’s issues and at this crucial juncture in the history of
our country, we have decided to form this Forum, which would provide an
alternative paradigm to the present trend of development.”
He said that 27 months after the establishment of the
Forum, “SWARAJ” had reached seven states in the country. NGOs, VOs, Social
Movements, Consortiums, Networks and individuals have been associated in the
Forum. Although there were differences yet there was a consensus and union of
purpose – that of social transformation. On 15th August 1999, the
golden jubilee of India’s political independence, “SWARAJ” India adopted the
Participatory Strategic Planning (PSP) process. It was a clarion call for
people’s participation in the planning process.
He referred to the introductory workshops conducted in
various states beginning from Durgapur in West Bengal. From there, he said; the
various steps in the process had been internalised. Fifty-five facilitators
from seven states were selected. For these workshops and training programmes
were arranged. Today, Kumar Kalanand Mani
said, the PSP process was being undertaken in 1545 villages and 221
organisations in 71 districts of seven states.
He recalled the eight-day workshop held prior to the
National Convention and said that as a result, a team of activists was working
out a national draft plan of people-oriented development action.
Besides, the PSP process, “SWARAJ” India was also
associated with the Indian Rivers Network. The issues of rivers creating
problems for development are not confined to the Narmada alone but also concern
other river valleys such as the Godavari, the Mahanadi, the Damodar, the
Suvernarekha and others, where displacement and associated problems need to be
addressed. The Network was inaugurated in Jamshedpur at a National Conference
in March this year.
He pointed out that various state units were working on
burning issues concerning their regions. In Jharkhand, stress was being laid on
its social, political and cultural identity. The issue was that of self-rule
and right to water, forest and land. In Orissa the questions are about
displacement, atrocities on women. Gujarat was working for empowerment of
people, mobilisation of youth. Kerala was active against alcoholism, pollution,
and human rights. Tamil Nadu was working for economic empowerment through self-help
groups, while in Maharashtra the activists were working on issues of dalits,
nomadic tribes and women.
In the post lunch session, the “SWARAJ” National Document
was outlined before the participants. The state units reflected on the
Strategic Thrust, Role of National “SWARAJ” – its role as an agent of change
rather than just a provider, The Vision, Mission, Role, Strategy and Programme
was approved by the Convention. The day’s Session ended with a group song.
THE
SECOND DAY – 20TH JULY, 1999
The second day was devoted the political situation and the
forthcoming Elections to the Lok Sabha and some Vidhan Sabhas. The issues
before the people were to be discussed at this session. Mr. Ghanashyam presided
over this session.
Mr. Arun Vinayak opened the discussion. In his brief
address, Mr. Vinayak stated that the issues before “SWARAJ” Units were clear.
The first priority was to combat Casteism and Communalism. There was need for a
strong for implementation of the Constitution 73rd Amendment and the
Bhuria Committee Recommendations on Self-rule and Self-determination by rural
communities in general and Adivasi Communities in particular. Besides these
issues, he said, there was the need for building up pressure on women’s issues,
especially against creation of obstacles in the Women’s Reservation Bill for
Parliament and Legislatures.
Before that Mr. Ramchandra Prabhudesai, the President of
Peaceful Society, under whose auspices, the National Workshop and Convention
was being held addressed the participants. He said that Peaceful Society would
always stand by “SWARAJ” Forum and its good work. He expressed solidarity with
the activists, associates and state units.
The general debate of the participants on the issues raised
by Mr. Vinayak was intense and at one stage, the “SWARAJ” National Convenor,
Kumar Kalanand Mani intervened in the debate at one stage to clarify on the
issue of the Kargil Conflict between India and Pakistan.
He said that such conflicts were maneuvered by
international agencies both overt and covert. They destroyed communities, in
this case, in the nations of South Asia. Governments then diverted funds meant
for human development to military purposes. Common people were left high and
dry.
Even as the Convention was being adjourned for lunch, the
organisers announced that State Co-ordinators should meet to find a consensus
on the new national team, which would take charge of “SWARAJ” India,
immediately after the National Convention. It was suggested that every state
unit should have one woman and one man on the national team. “SWARAJ” Structure
would be based on fifty-fifty rights and responsibility on men and women.
Soon after lunch, the consensus reached on the National
Team was announced. These included: Kerala
– Mr. Pankajakshan, Ms. Sri Kumari,
o
Tamil Nadu – Mr.
Mohan, Ms. Jayanti,
o
Orissa – Mr.
Pramod Pattanaik, Ms. Bharati Nayak,
o
Bihar – Dr. Arun
Prakash, Ms. Beli,
o
Maharashtra –
Sanjay Patange, Ms. Suvarnamala Motipowale,
o
Gujarat – Raju
Dipti, Ms. Dipti Raju,
o
Jharkhand – Ghanashyam,
Ms. Binni.
o
Indian Rivers
Network – Mr. Arun Vinayak
Kumar Kalanand Mani was re-elected
unanimously, Convenor of “SWARAJ” India, by the above National Team. Mr. Ravi
Kamal and Mr. Manoj Tiwari were co-opted into the National Team.
The National Team also decided that Mr.
Ghanashyam, MS. Deepti Raju and Kumar Kalanand Mani should form the National
Co-ordination Collective.
The National
Convention unanimously passed the following Statement, called the
BERHAMPUR DECLARATION
“This first National Convention
of “SWARAJ” India, held at Gram Vikas, Mohada, near Behrampur in Orissa, on 19th
and 20th July 1999,
DECLARES that, taking into
consideration increasing poverty in India, particularly in the current decade
with the advent of the New Economic Policy with its liberalisation,
marketisation and globalisation,
ALSO TAKING INTO
CONSIDERATION, the increasing and speedy impact of Fundamentalism of Caste and
Creed, adversely and seriously affecting the already oppressed Adivasis, Dalits
and Women;
“SWARAJ” INDIA resolves to
campaign and struggle against these forces which have seriously encroached on
the political, social and economic spheres if the poor, who form the majority
of our country’s population.
“SWARAJ” INDIA would seek
the return of self-determination and self-rule of the communities through these
struggles.
“SWARAJ” INDIA also
resolves to protest and campaign against the powers that seek to divide the
communities in South Asia. These powers seek to divide the common people in the
Sub-Continent, who have sacrificed to gain freedom from imperialist powers.
“SWARAJ” INDIA feels that
such conflicts would fritter away the resources in the region, which is one of
the poorest in the world, and further divide and pauperise its people.
VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
In the Valedictory Function, The Chairman, Mr. Ramesh Shah, called for
further strengthening of the “SWARAJ” Network and organisation particularly in
times of increasing fundamentalism, communalism and globalisation. He expressed
gratitude in being asked to preside over the Convention and added that the
deliberations had a tremendous impact on him.
The re-elected National Convenor, Kumar Kalanand Mani, presented a vote
of thanks. He was grateful to Dr. Badal Sengupta, Ms. Gabriela for their
presence and guidance and To Mr. Joe Madiath for giving the facilities of Gram
Vikas for the Workshop and the Convention.
The Convention ended at 2 p.m. with the singing of ‘HUM NONGE KAMAYAB”
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