Fwd: [initiative-india] Invite to Narmada: 25 Years of Struggle and Reconstruction

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From: Initiative India <initiativeindia@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 2:05 PM
Subject: [initiative-india] Invite to Narmada: 25 Years of Struggle and Reconstruction
To:

 

25 years of Struggle and Reconstruction in Narmada Valley October 22nd – 23rd, 2010 Dhadgaon (Mah)  and Badwani (M.P.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NARMADA has been a witness to the 25 years long struggle by the communities reared in its laps over generations in the three states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Supported by a large number of individuals and groups across the country, their non-violent and perseverant struggle together grew into Narmada Bachao Andolan. Adivasis in the mountain ranges of Satpuda and Vindhyas, farmers, labourers, fish-workers and potters in the plains of Nimad have stayed put and challenged Sardar Sarovar (SSP), other large dams and massive canals, destroying prime agricultural land, large tracks of forests, rich horticulture and hilly as well as densely populated habitats. The saga that began in 1985 has completed 25 years of the battle which tried to question, not only large dams but lop-sided development, displacement and disparity growing with the presently imposed growth-centric paradigm of development.

Our sangharsh (struggle) through questioning displacement, assertion of land and forest rights, right to fisheries, right to food and health, livelihood security, exposure of corruption and navnirman (reconstruction) through the Jeevanshalas (life schools), micro-hydel projects, and solar projects, with the help of our support groups has continued and progressed through various phases and strategies. Over these years, we have driven away the World Bank and many other international financiers from the valley by 1993, with the help of our global supporters and compelled the governments to rehabilitate thousands of adivasis with land, yet the task is far from complete and the struggle must continue. NBA has also contributed to the building of progressive alliances, especially the National Alliance of People's Movements.

Much water has flown through Narmada in spite of many dams being built at enormous human, social and environmental costs, but the over-estimated benefits remain unattained and the mockery of rehabilitation, replete with crores of rupees worth corruption stands exposed. The undemocratic State using the 'divide and rule' policy, fraudulent nexus of officials-agents, money and market continues to push the destruction, violate laws, manipulate the processes of sanctioning and monitoring, yet the Dam remains stalled at 122 mts and the people continue in the movement mode, taking up challenges through battles in the field as well as courts, from local to Supreme, and surviving the continued betrayal over two decades and more by various governments.

 

The struggle in SSP is now linked with the assertion of rights by adivasis affected by the Jobat dam in M.P. People in many canal-affected villages across Nimad are also questioning the unjust acquisition of irrigated lands for the canals and serious environmental impacts. The serious violations of environmental laws have been exposed by the Andolan and the MoEF's Expert Committee has also strongly indicted the state governments for gross non-compliance. Lack of political will, however, keeps the Projects alive. The people are also not relenting, and are challenging the impacts of the various large dams in the valley and the struggle for justice is only intensifying.

 

We, the Adivasis, farmers and others, with activists and all our supporters have to come together and look back and look forward at this juncture of completion of 25 years. It can't be a mere celebration when the sword is still hanging, full justice is still to be achieved, large dams are still being pushed and challenged. We can't even get over our grief since Ashish, Sanjay, Shobha and other colleagues have left us, forever. Yet, we have to take the torch forward … which was lit by them, carried by thousands and thousands of people across the country and beyond borders.

 

People in the Narmada valley would like to come together with you all who have joined us on the long path during last 25 years at some point during our actions, testing times, crises and victories. All those who worked with us, stood by us, spread the message and extended support are invited to the valley on the occasion of 'Reflections from Narmada : 25 Years and Beyond'.

 

We will also be planning other initiatives on this occasion that would be carried on through the coming year and would urge you to take forward the message the lead in taking our common struggle in your own areas, regions, countries, institutions, organisations or wherever, in any befitting manner. You will be hearing more from us over the coming weeks. Come, be with us at this opportune moment with your colleagues, comrades and friends.

October 22nd at Dhadgaon, District Nandurbar, Maharashtra and      October 23rd at Badwani, District Badwani, Madhya Pradesh.

Reach Dhadgaon on 21^st evening or 22^nd morning and your journey from Dhadgaon to Badwani, through Narmada in boats would be our responsibility. Rallies and public meetings at both the places amidst adivasis of Nandurbar, Alirajpur and farmers from the plains of Nimad would be reinforced with your presence and together, we shall reiterate our commitment to the common cause. As always, you are welcome to come and spend more time with us, work with us, VOLUNTEER WITH US or just travel with us in this journey towards justice.

 

The events in Narmada on the 22^nd and 23^rd will be followed by the 8^th Bi-annual Convention of National Alliance of People's Movements at Badwani, Madhya Pradesh from October 24^th to 26^th. Do stay on for this important occasion too. The invite for the NAPM Convention is separately attached. Become an ally of NAPM.

 

Phone:                       09179148973 | 09818905316 | 09423571784

E-mail:                      napmindia@gmail.com | www.napm-india.org |

 

Please do inform us of your arrival and itinerary, so that we can make adequate arrangements and plan your visit and stay fruitfully. You can reach us by phone or write to us on nba.badwani@gmail.com | 25yearsofnba@gmail.com

 

In Solidarity,

Surbhan Bhilala	Mohan Patidar	Kailash Awasya	Kamla Yadav	Keshav Vasave
Noorji Padvi	Ranveer Tomar	Bawa Mahariya	Jankibai	Bhagirath Dhangar
Ratan Vasave	Shankar Kagada	Devram Kanera	Shantabai	Siyaram Padvi
Yogini Khanolkar	Chetan Salve	Bhagirath Kavche	Gokhru Barela	Lalchand Patidar
Ramesh Prajapati	Madubhai Machwara	Devendra Tomar	Khema Vesta	Medha Patkar

Contact in Dhadgaon:

Narmada Bachao Andolan, Maitri Niwas, Kakawadi, Dhadgaon, Maharashtra

Ph: 02595-220620; Mob: 09423944390, 09423965152, 09420375730

E-mail: yogini.narmada@gmail.com and vijaya.chauhan@gmail.com

 

Contact in Badwani:

Narmada Bachao Andolan, 62, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Badwani, Madhya Pradesh – 451551 Ph: 07290-222464. Mob: 09179148973 and 09423965153

E-mail: medha.narmada@gmail.com and nba.badwani@gmail.com |

 

 

 

 

OTHER CONTACTS

 

Ø  Delhi Forum, New Delhi                            :011-26680883 / 26680914

Ø  Joe Athialy, New Delhi                               :09868114470

Ø  Suniti S R, Pune                                           :09423571784 / 020-24251404

Ø  Pervin Jehangir, Mumbai:                          :09820636335

Ø  Vijaya Chauhan, Mumbai                         :09820236267

Ø  Geo Jose / Hussain Master, Kerala           :9446000701/ 9445375379

Ø  Jacob Vadkanchari, Kerala                       :09495925799

Ø  Philip Mathew, Kerala                               :09446456616

Ø  Chinmay Mishra / Amulya Nidhi, Indore :09893278855 / 09425311547

Ø  Sarvodaya Press Service, Indore               :0731 – 24010183 (1:30 pm to 6:00 pm)

Ø  Rakesh Diwan & Rolly Shivhare, Bhopal : 09424467604 / 09425466461

Ø  Manish Manke, Girish Sharma, Manmad : 09822190078

Ø  Shyam Patil, Dhule                                           :02562-246419 & 09423496020

Ø  Sister Celia / Clifton D Rozario, Bangalore: 09945716052 / 09448135832

Ø  Debjit Dutta, Kolkata                                       :09433830031

Ø  Ramakrishnan Raju, Hyderabad                    :09866887299

Ø  Gabriele Dietrich, Madurai                             :09442511292

Ø  Prafulla Samantara,Orissa                              :09437259005

Ø  Arundhati Dhuru, Lucknow                           :09415022772

Ø  Swati Desai / Rohit Prajapati, Gujarat         :094295561613 / 02652413840

Ø  Madhuresh, NAPM                                           :09818905316 / 011 - 24374535

Ø  Medha Patkar, NBA & NAPM                          :0942396515

HOW TO REACH NARMADA

 

Directions to Reach Dhadgaon

Dhadgaon is a Tehsil amidst Satpudas in Maharashtra. Nearest railhead is Dondaicha (Ahmedabad – Howrah Railway line, 3 hours away), Chalisgaon (Howrah – Mumbai Line, 4.5 hours), Nandurbar or Dhule (3 hours away), Bharuch / Ankaleshwar (4.5 hours away), Manmad, 5 hours). From any of these rail stations come by bus to SHAHADA and then change for Dhadgaon by another state corporation bus or share-taxi.

 

Route 1: From Mumbai/Pune:

1.     Take a bus to Dhule (7 hours) and change for Dhadgaon via Shahada (4 hours). Dhule is on the Mumbai –Indore bus route and lots of buses are available from both places. For bus tickets:

a.      www.holidayiq.com

b.     www.prasannatours.com

c.      http://www.makemytrip.com

d.     http://www.redbus.in

Contact National Travels: Ph – 022-25271248 and 9869302066

 

2.     From Mumbai: take a train to Chalisgaon and take a bus to Dhule (1.5 hours) and change for Dhadgaon via Shahada (4 hours). Available trains:

a.      Dadar- Dhule Exp: Mumbai (2230)-Dhule (0600) – Direct Train

b.     2139 Sewagram Express: Mumbai (1510 hrs)-Chalisgaon (2015 hrs)

c.      2105 Vidarbha Exp: Mumbai (1910)-Chalisgaon (00350

d.     2809 Howrah Exp: Mumbai (2035)-Chalisgaon (0225)

 

Route 2: From Chennai:

Reach Nagpur by train. Change for Chalisgaon/Manmad (on Nagpur-Mumbai route – 8/9 hours from Nagpur), take a bus to Dhule (1.5 hours) and change for Dhadgaon (4 hours). You may also locate some direct train to Manmad and reach Dhadgaon via Dhule-Shahada. Some trains:

a.      8030 Shalimar Exp: Nagpur (1315)-Chalisgaon (2215)

b.     2140 Sewagram Exp: Nagpur (2050)-Chalisgaon (0535)

 

Route 3: From Bangaluru/Hyderabad

1.     Reach Manmad by train and take a bus to Dhule and Dhadgaon

a.      2627 Karnataka Exp. Bangalore (1920)-Manmad (1455)

2.     You can reach Manmad by Ajanta Express from Secunderabad (departs every day at 6 p.m. and reaches Mammad at 6:30 a.m.) and follow the Dhule-Shahada-Dhadgaon route.

3.      Reach Pune by train and follow the directions at Route 1

 

Route 4: From Keralam:

1.     Take Mangla, get down at Manmad, take a bus to Dhule and the change for Dhadgaon

a.      2617 Mangla Lakshadweep Exp: Ernakulam (1300)-Manmad (1735)

2.     Reach Pune / Mumbai and follow directions at Route 1

 

Route 5: From West Bengal:

Reach Manmad by train (on Howrah-Mumbai route) and take a bus to Dhule and change for Dhadgaon

a.      8030 Shalimar Exp: Shalimar (1500)-Chalisgaon (2215)

b.     2810 Mumbai mail: Howrah (2015)-Chalisgaon (2300)

 

Route 6: From Delhi:

Reach Manmad by train and bus to Dhule and Dhagaon

  2618 Mangla Exp. Nizamuddin (0920)-Manmad (0435)

  2138 Punjab Mail: New Delhi (0500)-Manmad (0205)

  1058 Amristar Dadar Exp. New Delhi (2015)-Manmad (2145)

 

Route 7: From Ahmedabad / Baroda :

Reach Dondaicha by train and take a bus /Taxi to Shahada and then another bus to Dhadgaon.

            a. 2655 Navjeevan Express Dep Ahmedabad 06:30

            b. 2833 Howrah Express Dep Ahmedabad 23:55

 

Directions to Reach Badwani

Badwani is a district headquarters in Madhya Pradesh and is at a distance of 4-6 hours by bus / taxis from Khandwa or Indore (MP), Baroda (Gujarat). There are regular buses from Indore from morning till evening from the main bus stand, one bus in evening at 9 pm from Bhopal new bus stand, from Khandwa buses till 4 pm and from Baroda till 2 pm in the afternoon.

Route 1: From Mumbai / Pune:

1.     Mumbai and Pune is well connected with Indore by bus. Almost all of them are overnight buses. For timings/bookings contact the

Contact National Travels: Ph – 022-25271248 and 9869302066

To reach Badwani, you don't go all the way to Indore but get off at Julwania and take a bus to Badwani. Jhulwania – Badwani is 2 hours by road.

 

2.     Mumbai-Indore is also connected by train:

a.      2961 Avantika Exp: Mumbai (1905)-Indore (0920) (Overnight)

Pune-Indore is connected by train as well:

b. 9311 Pune Indore exp (Tu, F, Sa): Pune (1530)-Indore (0950)

From Indore, take a bus to Badwani (5 hours)

 

Route 2: From Chennai/ Hyderabad:

Reach Bhopal by any train. Take bus / shared taxi to Indore (4 hours) and change for Badwani from Indore. (5 hours by road)

Route 3: From Bangalore/Kerala:

Reach Khandwa by train and take a bus from there to Badwani (5 hours)

a.      2627 Karnataka Exp. Bangalore (1920)- Khandwa (1935)

b.      2617 Mangla Exp: Ernakulam (1300)-Manmad (2240)

Route 4: From West Bengal:

1.      There is one direct train to Indore from Howrah

a.      9306 Shipra Exp (M,Th,Sa): Howrah (1740) Indore (0330)

2.      Can get down Jalgaon (on Howrah-Mumbai route) and change for Khandwa and from there, take a bus to Badwani (4 hours)

Route 5: From Delhi:

1.      2416 Nizamuddin Indore Exp: Nizamuddin (2215)-Indore (1140) – Direct Train

2.      2920 Malwa Exp: New Delhi (1900) Indore (1240) - Direct Train

Indore to Badwani by bus (5 hours)

National Alliance of People's Movements                       Eighth BIENNIAL Convention                      OCTOBER 24-26, 2010, Badwani, Madhya pradesh                         an invitation: all are invited !                         TOWARDS PEACE, JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Alliance of  People's Movements (NAPM) is pleased to invite you to its Eighth Biennial Convention to be held in the Narmada Valley, at Badwani, Madhya Pradesh, from October 24^th-26th. Narmada Bachao Andolan, which is entering in 25^th year of struggle, and is one of the founding members of NAPM will be hosting us this time. The journey that started in 1992 and took the shape of NAPM in 1996 has today reached a critical stage.

We started when the processes of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation were beginning to take shape, Hindu Right was picking steam in the shadow of Babri Masjid demolition and  TINA – There is No Alternative, was propounded as the mantra for the time. Since then we have come a long way and have waged important struggles along with many other movements, voluntary organisations, federations and forums, sympathetic intellectuals, artists, students and others against WTO, World Bank, Enron, SEZs, big dams, rural and urban evictions and displacements, atrocities against women, adivasis, and Dalits and communalism.

In 2003 we undertook Desh Bachao Desh Banao (Save the Nation – Build the Nation), a nation-wide campaign, aimed at evolving a national movement, to bring the ideal of an alternative world into reality, as a collective peoples political force, seeking to challenge and transform the existing political system that promotes a development paradigm that is anti-poor and anti-development. In 2007, Sangharsh / Action process was launched involving many other alliances, forums and federations which was another step in the direction of achieving a better world.

A decade after we met in the Narmada Valley, we are meeting again at a time, which is the 'best of the times and worst of the times'. The process of neo-liberalism which started then has now started showing its true colours, Corporations, Public and Private both, are not only grabbing the resources but the political space and even power through market and related mechanism. The investors – national to multinational have "privatized" each and every dimension of our society, polity and economy. Transformation is today a much greater challenge to the imagination, because Global Warming and the Energy crisis are much more visible too.

The State has become a mere mediator and given away the mask of welfare and benevolence, political class and a more articulate middle class has been completely sold to the ideology of market and neo-liberal models of economy and growth. We are witness to increased informalisation of labour as a result, 96% of workers today are in the unorganised sectors of work and there is enormously rising polarisation between the rich and the poor and a steep rise in food prices, together with loss of food security and attack on agriculture. The political class rarely resolves the people's issues but rather exploits those towards vote banking, more crudely now than ever. Public space, public interest, public domain and priorities are shrinking to the detriment of basic need fulfillment jeopardizing not only the present but also the future. However, we cannot also forget that there is this growing trend towards "war on terror", militarisation and violence unleashed by the State making non-violent mass struggles more difficult, but at the same time making them more relevant too.

These times are not that bleak either, our collective efforts have not only led to enactment of progressive legislations like Right to Information Act, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Forest Rights Act etc. but also created a situation where people on the ground have challenged every single attempt at grabbing of our land, water, forests, minerals etc. We are standing amidst the victory of people's movements at Singur, Nandigram, Niyamgiri, Sompeta, Karla, Chengara and many more such places of resistance.

The question of justice and equity have come to the fore like never before and the 'rights to and control over natural resources' become the focal point of contestation today amidst, people, state and corporations. NAPM is not the only alliance today and there is a large biradari (family) beyond our fold all engaged in struggles and reconstruction through alternatives, committed to challenge the corporatization and globalization in the face of corruption, criminal acts and callousness of both the State and the corporates. We have always strived to create spaces for dialogue and coordination between them and also provide adequate space to diversity of resistances and ideologies existing in the country.

On a more positive note it can also be considered our collective victory that today social activists and human rights activists have become threats to the State and to their corporate designs, so much so, that they are falsely framing them as 'Maoists' or 'Terrorists'. The bogey of communalism has seeped through the veins of society and governance in numerous ways and demands a different understanding and strategy to fight them.

The armed conflicts imposed upon us by the state and counter violence by non-state and private vigilante forces are also creating a situation which is threatening the lives and livelihood of the millions of those living at the margins of this development process. Together the forces of communalism, corporatisation, and veiled casteism and patriarchy are not only threatening the framework of democratic society but has become an impediment to our collective efforts towards building a truly people's democracy unlike the existent bourgeois democracy.

The coming decade will see the fierce battles and struggles for asserting rights and control over land, water, forests, minerals and thereby making it more difficult to ensure justice to dalits, adivasis, women, minorities, workers, landless peasantry and others who are considered 'out-castes of the development'. We continue to defy the principle of 'eminent domain' of State and challenge its power even when it has merely become a negotiator for the corporations and appropriate military strength to protect their capitalist interest. Whether it is land acquisition, displacement or rehabilitation- most issues today are politicized and polarized yet there is an urgent need for movements and supporters to evolve consensus on development planning to ensure equity and justice, through peace and democracy…hence the alliance !

It is in these turbulent times that NAPM invites you to its Eighth Biennial Convention in an earnest attempt of coming together by various people's movements and organizations to build a strong alliance of movements. The Convention aims to be a space where we can collectively discuss and debate on different issues, movements and civil society responses and work towards the challenge of initiating and strengthening a new political force with innovative strategies, with people's power and people's politics. For this and much more your presence and contribution is crucial. Do join us at the Convention!

Tentative programme, details to follow :

·        October 24 : Inaugural Sessions | Thematic Sessions | Cultural Programmes

·        October 25 : Thematic Sessions

·        October 26 : Elections of Conveners Teams | Resolutions

Directions to the venue and contact persons are given below. Please do not hesitate in contacting us for any further information or clarification. As always you are welcome to come and spend more time with us, work with us, volunteers with us, support us with resources, or just travel with us in this journey...

The Celebrations will be preceded by programmes marking 25 years of struggle in the Narmada Valley by Narmada Bachao Andolan. The inaugural programme will be held at Dhadgaon, Maharashtra on 22^nd October and concluding programme will be held at Badwani, MP on October 23^rd 2010. Separate invite has been sent for the same. For details write to nba.badwani@gmail.com | 25yearsofnba@gmail.com | 07290-222464 | 09423944390 | 09423965152 | 09420375730 | 02595-220620

Do inform us of your arrival, so that we can make adequate arrangements … You can reach us by phone or write to us on napmindia@napm-india.org | madhuresh@napm-india.org | www.napm-india.org

In Solidarity,

NAPM Conveners Team ...

Delhi Office :

C/O 6/6, Jangpura B, New Delhi 110014. Phone : 011 – 2437 4535 | 9818905316 | 9868200316

National Office :

Room No. 29-30, 1st floor, 'A' Wing, Haji Habib Bldg, Naigaon Cross Road, Dadar (E), Mumbai - 400 014; Phone : 022-24150529 |  9969363065

Contact in Badwani :

Narmada Bachao Andolan, 62, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Badwani, Madhya Pradesh – 451551 Ph: 07290-222464; Fax: 07290-222549. nba.badwani@gmail.com

 

 

 

Other Contacts

Assam, Akhil Gogoi / Arupjyoti Saikia                    9435054140 | 9435557483

Andhra Pradesh, Ramakrishnan Raju                  : 9866887299

Bihar, Ashish Ranjan :                                              9973363664

Chattisgarh, Gautam Bandopadhyay                     9826171304

Delhi, Rajendra Ravi | Madhuresh :                       9868200316 | 9818905316

Gujarat, Anand Mazgaonkar / Swati Desai :         02640 220629 | 9429556163

Karnataka, Sister Celia :                                         9945716052

Kerala, Geo Jose / Hussain Master                                    : 9446000701/ 9445375379

Madhya Pradesh, Shrikanth :                                 07290-222464 | 9179148973

Maharashtra,           Suniti S R / Simpreet Singh  : 09423571784 / 9969363065

Orissa, Prafulla Samantara                                      : 9437259005

Tamilnadu, Gabriele Dietrich                                 : 09442511292

Uttar Pradesh, Sandeep Pandey / Arundhati Dhuru : 05222347365 | 9415022772

West Bengal, Debjit Dutta                                            : 9433602808

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