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DAM-L LS: Eminent People to Visit Valley - Saga of Narmada (fwd)
Press Note 19.8.2000
JUSTICE SACHAR, ARUNDHATI ROY, GIRISHBHAI, VIDYA BAL TO PARTICIPATE
IN 'SAGA OF NARMADA' ON AUG. 24 IN THE NARMADA VALLEY:
SATYAGRAHA CONTINUES
Noted human rights activist Justice (Retd.) Rajinder Sachar, Booker
Prize winner, litterateur Ms. Arundhati Roy, veteran journalist Mrs.
Vidya Bal and Darryl D'Monte are among the hundreds of prominent
persons and activists that would gather on August 24th, in Satyagraha
places of Domkhedi and Jalsindhi to express solidarity with the
people in the Narmada valley. They are to take part in the "Appeal to
the Nation From Valley" Saga of Narmada, a major programme during
the monsoon Satyagraha, for reassertion of people's resolve.
Among the participants, are veteran human rights activists Advocate
Girish Patel and Haroobhai Mehta (Gujarat), Arjun Raina (Dancer),
Colin Gonsalves, Dilip D'souza (Mumbai), artists Anita Dube,
alternative filmmaker Jharna Zaveri (Delhi), senior Sarvodayi
activist Jyotibhai Desai, noted author and publisher in Maharashtra
Ramdas Bhatkal, noted mathematician Dr. Mrs. Mangala Narlikar,
pioneer of innovative science teaching, Madhukar Deshpande.
Hundreds of supporters and activists from various parts of country
are arriving at the Satyagraha place for this unique occasion of
declaration of the resolve of the people in the valley. At the same
time the people will be exposing the false claims and machinations of
the government and its apologists. A few more of the eminent people
will be confirming their participation in the coming days. Many
supporters from different parts of the country is expected to come
and participate in this program.
Noted Kathakali dancer, Arjun Raina will be performing, based on the
issues and struggle of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) after the
program. Films based on the struggle of various people's struggles,
including that of NBA (Bargi, Maheshwar and Sardar Sarovar) will be
screened on that day.
The people in the Narmada valley, during the past fifteen years, have
shown that the people's power can challenge the established political
powers and their developmental policies and paradigms. The people
have been doing this facing tremendous pressures, repression and
thereat to their life and resources. The governments have been trying
to misuse every law, institution and machinery against the people.
Despite these odds, the spark of struggle in the valley is alive and
people are determined to face the submergence and the repression,
staying put on their lands.
The Satyagraha which was launched on the July 15th against the
illegal submergence brought in by the Sardar Sarovar Project, was
with this resolve. At the same time the villagers have undertaken,
with the help of their expert friends from other parts of India, the
alternative, sustainable and decentralised ways of development. For
the first time, the Jeevanshala (school of life) run by the Narmada
Bachao Andolan, has published the story book in the tribal language-
Pavri and the children are taught the Pavri alphabets. During the
Satyagraha, the work on alternative and decentralised energy sources
was undertaken. By now, village Domkhedi is running a pedal -powered
electric supply and have launched the first even micro-hydel power
project. The village is now illuminated. These innovations have been
undertaken with the participation and initiative from the people in
the valley and their supporters from Kerala and Mumbai, Baroda. The
People's School of Energy from Kerala has been in touch with the
people of the valley for last four years and has drawn inspiration
from the tenacious struggle of the valley. They have designed the
turbine and installed with the active participation of the people of
the valley.
The Satyagraha period has also once again brought out the designs of
the state powers, when the people are being pressurised to accept the
displacement under the threat of the impending submergence. It has
also highlighted the gravity of the issue of the tribals affected by
the 'catchment area treatment; and compensatory afforestation.
Hundreds of people from all over the valley, from resettlement sites
and from other parts of India have till now visited the Satyagraha.
‘Saga of Narmada’ will give the people yet again an opportunity to
appeal to the conscience of the civil society, to plead them to be
with them in the struggle and join hands with the larger struggle of
Equality, Simple Life and Self Reliance (Samata, Sadagi and
Swavalamban).
Sanjay Sangvai M.K.Sukumar
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