xavierjames

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 10^th & 12^th 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 3^rd 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 9^th 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.

15^th 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 16^th 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 19^th 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.

I am appointed as the Parish Priest and pioneering missionary of Siddhpur Mission. Initially I hesitated and after much prayer and boost from my friends and well wishers who always pray for me and encourage me to do something innovative, I took up this challenge. I stayed a month in Palanpur parish where the people love me and help me every effort of mine. Then I shifted to Siddhpur to stay in an apartment so that I could be available to the people entrusted to me and reach out to the rural area. My catholic people are very supportive and helpful. I prepared the trust deed and after getting corrected by the Archbishop His Grace Stanislaus Fernandes, Fr. Rocky D’silva the Vicar General and Fr. Jebamalai the Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese, I submitted to the Charity commissioner for registering the trust and 20^th August 2012 is the birthday of the trust. I had applied for surveying the land which was bought three years ago when I was in Mehsana and 20^th August was the day finally the government surveyor came and surveyed where Fr. Almeida was present. With the help of Martin & Philip Fernandes we had erected cement poles to identify the boundaries. We received the tracing of the land on 22^nd August. After doing my personal, pastoral, household work I do so much of running about and I always feel the presence of God and the providence of God in this unknown land and vicinity. Things move faster than anyone could think. It is purely by my surrendering all plans to the Lord, Prayers of so many people and Grace of God. To God be glory forever. Xavier James (22^nd Aug. 2012)