MY
EXPERIENCE WITH SHAKTI – LAHRC IN MAY 2012 – XAVIER JAMES
After the successful English course with enthusiastic children of 5
districts and 10 blocks we the interns, were exposed to Legal Aid centre,
Songadh. We heard two court cases presented before the Advocate Subashbhai and
senior staff member Nevelbhai. We were then introduced to the staff members who
introduced themselves and their area of work in Shakti. I was happy to know
that SHAKTI is involved in several activities such as making ideal village,
working with primitive tribes, Legal Aid and Human Rights, Integrated
Development of the tribals, youth,Video editing & making, preparing
documentaries, Right To Food and so on and so forth. Then we were divided into different
Talukas: Uchchhal – Cosmos, Songadh – James, Vyara – Thaiza, Mandvi –
Rajnikant, Zankhvav – Robert, Umarpada – Shaila and Nizar – Ranjit. The purpose
was to observe the work of SHAKTI and find out the impact it has on the people.
The staff was ready to accept the feed back for the betterment of the staff. I
was told that I would be accompanied by Anaji, Sevantiben and Novelbhai.
I went to Boarthova via Maharastra. It was 3 hours journey and half
an hour walk to reach the vibrant Gujarat village. It is situated in the valley
and the bordering village of Gujarat and Maharastra. The roads were good. They
were made two years back. The means of transportation is mainly through jeeps
and two wheelers because buses come trice in a day. The government has not paid
much attention to this village. Village Panchayat comprises of eight villages
and hardly functions in this area. The Youth are awakened persons who strive
for the development of the village. It is they who implement NREGA. There is a
primary school in the village. The students stop studies after 10th
& 12th std. Three have completed their education up to the
bachelors degree. There is no Catholic educational institution in this area.
The nearest ones are Mandal, Vyara and Subir where they often do not get
admission. Hence they have to depend on government schools and hostels. The
village is clean but open defecation is still existing as they have no toilets
in their houses. The government projects hardly reach the village. Many people
go to Malegaon for employment to work in the onion field and also work in their
own field and take care of cattle. The people are receptive. Annaji is doing
very well in this area and people listen to him.
I had a chance of attending a village meeting at Ghusargam during
the dairy hours. They were discussing about their struggle on Jungle Jamin and
getting the NREGA projects. They said that the Sarpanch is not so effective and
he has come to rule for the 3rd time. They also said that the pass
books are not obtained from the post office for NREGA and they get only Rs.100
where as Rs. 24 is taken by the Sarpanch and others. When the meeting was
taking place there were 3 drunkards who interrupted the meeting and began a
physical fight. What I feel is that ignorance can bring about more such fights
and people need to be more awakened to the realities.
It was a joy to be present for the annual fair of Umerpata where
traditionally the tribals go for pilgrimage and fun. Some merchants gloriously
cheat people while selling their goods.
I had the opportunity of attending a Gram Sabha at Otta. The agenda
was on MGNREGA and people were not informed about the meeting prior to that
hence there were only 25 people for the meeting. As soon as the Sarpanch got
sight of me he began to feel insecure and was frightened. People hardly opened
their mouth. I do not know why people are so scared. Dinesh Gamit the Programme
officer of MGNREGA asked whether people get the stipulated money for the work
and they said yes. Whereas it was not true with my previous day and next day’s
experience.
Next day I visited Shinod and listened to the people’s grievances.
There I learnt that people were not aware of the Gram Sabha and the Sarpanch
and others cheat them with the wages of NREGA. It was suggested to have two
panchayats instead of one for better administration and to deal with immediate
problem like water and so on. When I visited Otta and Pahaddha I received the
same feed back. I had the opportunity of attending one Christian wedding and another
traditional wedding in Pahaddha and Otta.
It was on 9th May 2012 the Government of Gujarat had
organized Farmer’s fair ( Krishi Melo). It is a good one for information
dissemination like animal husbandry and new way of farming and so on. It was a waste
of time, for people had to be present from 9am to 9pm. It looked to me after
Garibkalyan Melo the state government has started this melo to fool people. It
could be kept only for 3 to 4 hours either in the morning or in the evening and
not definitely for the whole day. People have their work and one cannot make
them fools and lazy. It was an opportunity for me to interact with many elders
of 3 panchayats.
On the next day I came to Songadh to the office as many cases had
come to the office. I then went to stay at Nevelbhai’s house. I was happy to
hear the sharing of his experiences as Sarpanch of the village for 3 terms and
the developmental works which he brought about during his tenure.
The next day I was accompanied from Songadh office by Sevantiben
and could visit Dhajambha, Veljar-Chundi street and Vajarda-Takli street and
interact with the elders and leaders of the community. I was pleased to know
the struggle of the people to bring lift irrigation was really a passionate
one. Their intervention in Right to food, mid day meal, obtaining electricity,
NREGA, empowering women’s group and so on were very informative and bold steps.
I was happy to meet Ratubem Gitaben, Maganbhai, Gomabhai, Babubhai and others.
It was nice of Rameshbhai, the Director to give us some time to
rest and reflect in SHAKTI. We had a short meeting with the office staff of
Shakti to plan out the future sessions and clarify things. We the interns met
on Sunday and shared about some of our observations and evaluated and reported
about the English course.
It was overwhelming to distinguish between Adivasi Sarvangi Vikas
Sangh and Adivasis Charitable Trust. They are totally independent organizations
by people. In Adivasi Sarvangi Vikas Sangh fee is only Rs. 101 and is
established since 11 years and works in local and taluka level. In Adivasi
Charitable Trust the fee is only Rs. 15 for membership. It was formed 4 years
ago. It works in the district, state and national level. I also met Manibhai
and Pravinbhai who are associated with them. They take the movement forward on
Jungle, Jamin and obtaining canals for farming and agricultural purposes. They
regularly organize cultural fest, the community wedding, training, seminars,
guidance, giving direction. In order to meet financial difficulties, they also
raise local contribution for various activities. There are 8082 members and
from 177 villages. They are now working on voting rights for Limbadi, Saatkasi,
Fatepura, Zeriampa, Budhwada and Peepripada. They really feel the absence of
Fr. Stanny who guided them for years.
Thereafter Sevantiben took me to Serula the village which was
washed away during the flood in 2006. Shakti had helped them out to build new
houses, to bring school, aakanwadi, to bring electricity, to give the people
boats and nets, as they are fisher folk. It comes under the group panchayat of
six villages. Hardly does any government official visit this village, although
it is adjoining Ukkai dam. There are 45 families and 200 families in this
village. They gratefully remember the assistance of Shakti staff. Shakti could
reach where the vibrant Gujarat government had not reached. I also visited the
slum of Ukkai where mixed population stays together. Some of them got the
benefit of obtaining BPL subsidies though the intervention by SHAKTI.
I was glad to hear the struggles of Bhurivel villagers in obtaining
electricity and land in their names of those who live for years in the
vicinity. They also got the hand pumps, wells, ration card, voting rights. They
acknowledge the great contribution of SHAKTI-LAHRC for being the back bone for
their success.
15th was the day to meet the advocate and there were so
many cases on marital disputes and property disputes of which some were given
another due date for hearing and some were given judgement there and then. I
witnessed a happy ending of a case which I followed previously also. On the 16th
two cases were called for and one was postponed for another day and yet another
was of marital dispute and so after much discussion it ended with separation of
the parties as there was no official marriage taken place to prove it. The
elders of the communities came together and welcomed the judgement of the Legal
Aid centre. Thereafter I visited Tokarva which is a self sufficient village. I
also visited Jamkhedi with Nevelbhai and Manibhai which Nevelbhai had developed
during his tenure as the Sarpanch.
Then I was in the office whole day and some cases came and some
cases are to be brought to the notice of SHAKTI officials and be sent to the
civil court. As the last day of the field visit I went to Songadh office to
hear some cases and went to Gaisavar for division of property in a family. But
they were not ready for it and hence Novelbhai gave one more date for final
hearing. Then I was happy to meet Natubhai, Rimiben and Vanitaben who are the
vegetable vendors who come from the villages to sell in the town. Initially
they used to face much difficulties from the local merchants who would not
allow them to sit and sell their goods. Later on the Municipality also began to
harass them and then they came to Shakti and launched a PIL in the high court
of Gujarat and it has ordered that the Municipality has to make some provision
and establish 101 small spots for them to sell their vegetables. There are 55
members in this union and are strong. They told me that Fr. Stanny Jebamalai is
like a mother to them. As the mother knows the needs of the children so also
Sannybhai knows every difficulty of the Adivasis and they really miss him a
lot. Then I went to stay at Jamkhedi at Novelbhai’s house and came back to
Shakti on 19th May 2012 for final evaluation.
I am grateful to Annaji who cared for me a week and helped me to
visit the distant villages. I really appreciate his simplicity and
approachability. Everyone in the village and neighbourhood knows him. He is
good at shooting, taking photographs and making documentaries. He helps the
illiterate to write up their applications to obtain benefits from the
government.
I am appreciative of Sevantiben who has helped me to understand the
government benefits for the widows and others. She helped me to visit far away
villages and interact with men and women. She helped me to meet people of
different movements. She has a good rapport with people and the government officials.
She has good experience in her field.
I appreciate Rohitbhai & Jashuben who help many vulnerable
people.
I am indebted to Novelbhai who is an experienced person and who is
known to every single person in Songadh and the surroundings. He is a respectable
person who respects others. He is very warm and hospitable. His experience has
enriched the people and SHAKTI. He has still the vigour of the beginners of the
organization. His judgements on the cases and consultations are very
commendable. He is a humble man from whom I learnt a lot.
I really appreciate the love and concern shown to me by Rameshbhai,
Naranbhai, Manishaben, Rajeshbhai and all the staff members. I thought that I
will miss Fr. Stanny in this institution but through your warmth you made me
feel that he is present among you. I like the activities and interventions of
SHAKTI for the upliftment of the Adivasis. I really appreciate the cleanliness
and orderliness in this house. I enjoyed the delicious food of Saguben &
Sujataben.
Suggestions
To maintain a Register or a muster which could be signed for
greater sincerity, commitment and transparency. This will include the names,
date, arrival time, departure time, signature and remarks column. The director
or Asst. director checks the register during the visit and signs it.
Weekly plans need to be produced to every one in the meeting every
Monday.
To maintain a register for the visitors showing the names, purpose
of the visit, time, outcome of the visit (consultation) signature.
Those who come here for training should be motivated and staff’s
time and energy should be spent constructively. Eg AICUF, RTF
The initial commitment and
enthusiasm of the organization need to be revived.
Each staff member needs to inform the head of the office when
she/he is not able to come and not when contacted.
To preserve the cultural heritage of different tribes in SHAKTI
i.e. like museum keep the musical instruments so that the cultural heritage will
be preserved.
To have spoken English course for the staff and staff members to
have interest in learning English for better communication.
Marital disputes are the major problem in the present day and it
has to be adequately addressed to.
Alcohol and aftermath are serious problem among the youth which has
to be handled for the greater good of the community.
No comments:
Post a Comment