Dear Friends.
When are we going to give up our kumbhakarni nidra? There are people
(actually activists) like Anil Sadgopal, who have been struggling for
fundamental reforms in education consistently during last forty years.
There are many similar other fighters. However, instead of leading to
any progressive change, the sphere of education is being deteriorated
further. Now it is high time, because demand for reforms would remain
alive only till that day, when we have Government schools. If there
are know Government schools, all demands for reforms would become
meaningless.  How can we sleep quietly when thieves are stealing  our
property and selling it to other thieves? Ruchika case gives me two
feelings. First, media can mobilize people. Second, why can�t a
revolution takeplace on the issue of education?

Vikas Gupta
Assistant Professor,
Department of History,
Faculty of Social Sciences,
(Opposite Daulatram College),
Delhi University,
Delhi 110007.

Residence: D II/1,
University Flats,
Maurice Nagar,
Delhi University,
Delhi 110007.
Ph: 011-27662347 & 09818193875
Email: vikasedu@...



On 12/30/09, Anil Sadgopal <anilsadgopal@...> wrote:
> 30 December 2009
> (Read this to find out what 2010 offers for India's children, the ten-day
> tamasha of Commonwealth Games costing almost 1.5 lakh crore to the public
> exchequer notwithstanding)
>
> Dear Niranjan and SDMCC Forum-Karnataka colleagues,
>
> The news of Karnataka Government�s decision of closing down around 500
> government primary schools on the eve of the new year 2010 is despicable, to
> say the least. The state government�s claim of the number of children
> decreasing in government schools is a consequence of a deliberate policy
> adopted years ago whose objective is to deteriorate the quality of
> government schools so that the parents of even the poor start withdrawing
> their children and start looking around for low-fee charging inferior
> private schools. This policy was first tested in 1999 in Indore, Madhya
> Pradesh when the state government closed down 30 government schools on the
> same flimsy grounds as the Karnataka government is now offering ten years
> later. The Indore Collector promptly converted the 30 government schools in
> shopping malls and police stations, ignoring the public protest. The same
> policy was later adopted in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Chennai.
> Let me cite the following introductory statement from my paper entitled,
> �Dilution, Distortion and Diversion: A Post-Jomtien Reflection on Education
> Policy�, published in �The Crisis of Elementary Education in India� (Ed.
> Ravi Kumar), SAGE Publications, New Delhi, 2006, pp. 92-136 (an updated
> version of a paper presented at a Delhi seminar in October 2004):
> �The following news item appeared on International Literacy Day, 2004.
>
> �Facing a shortage of students, the Directorate of Education has decided to
> close down 53 government schools, many of which are in old Delhi. This is in
> addition to (the) 55 schools already closed . . . . . We have seen a steady
> decline in enrollment in government schools.�
> - Hindustan Times, 8th September 2004
>
> Instead of showing concern and taking steps to improve the functioning of
> the government school system, the authorities seemed to be celebrating. They
> declared,
>
> �The closure of the schools helps the Directorate in two ways. Firstly, the
> teachers can be posted in schools having few teachers. Secondly, there is
> saving on annual expenditure of maintenance and repairs.�
> - Hindustan Times, 8th September 2004
>
> The government schools in Delhi have almost 70% of the school-going children
> of the metropolis. Close all of them and the Directorate will be helped
> maximally. It will save its entire annual expenditure!
>
> This is not the first time that India has witnessed such a phenomenon. In
> 1999-2000, 30 government schools in the city of Indore were closed down and
> their campuses, located on prime lands in the heart of the city, were either
> converted into police stations or handed over to private interests for
> developing commercial complexes. The District Collector, in his report to
> the Chief Minister, proudly called it a process of �rationalisation�! No one
> cared to know as to where had all the children gone. All of them had joined
> the rapidly mushrooming low-fee charging school shops in the neighbourhood
> of the erstwhile government schools.
>
> Almost at the same time, the Ahmedabad city corporation closed down one of
> its primary schools and handed over its campus along with the buildings to a
> French-sponsored Society to provide education to the well-off sections of
> society on a �French Pattern�! The poor people in the neighbourhood
> protested but no one cared.
>
> Few would believe that the above events were not random happenings taking
> place due to some local aberrations or some inefficient education officers.
> These represented the outcome of a well-designed deliberate policy of
> allowing the government school system to gradually deteriorate until it is
> replaced by the fee-charging private schools. This is precisely what the
> global market forces, led by powerful international financial institutions
> and funding agencies, have been working for. This paper is aimed at
> analyzing and exposing this complex phenomenon so that it can be resisted by
> the people whose children are being denied education.�
>
> The rest of the paper (attached herewith) documents the neo-liberal agenda
> in education which was pursued by the Indian State at the behest of the
> global capital with a view to create space for privatized and commercialized
> education in India. The people of Karnataka have now fallen prey to this
> neo-liberal assault.
>
> On behalf of the All India Forum for Right to Education (AIF-RTE), I fully
> endorse the call given by the SDMCC Forum-Karnataka to resist the state
> government�s decision and launch a movement to �save government schools and
> save the learning space for marginalised Children�. This can only be done by
> converting the entire school system into a Common School System wherein all
> schools will be genuine neighbourhood schools so that the children of all
> sections of society will study and socialize together as per law,
> irrespective of their class, caste, religion, language, locale or
> disabilities, physical or otherwise. We should be clear in our minds that
> this matter is not a local issue of Karnataka but it is part of an all-India
> phenomenon in which the Central Government is equally involved.This is amply
> documented in my attached paper.
>
> The Karnataka state government decision exposes the following:
> 1.      The Central Government and the various state governments are
> pursuing a deliberate neo-liberal policy to deteriorate the quality of
> government schools, colleges and universities in order to expedite
> privatization and commercialization.
> 2.      The so-called �Right to Education Act, 2009� is a farce as its
> provision of 25% reservation in private aided and unaided schools for
> �children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged group in the
> neighbourhood� not only legitimizes privatization but also, through its
> policy of reimbursement to such schools, maintains a multi-layered school
> system based on discrimination and pursues the neo-liberal agenda of voucher
> schools and public-private partnership (PPP).
> 3.      The existence of private unaided schools (and colleges and
> universities as well) promotes inequality and discrimination in violation of
> the Articles 14 and 15 (1) of the Constitution and also provides space for
> backdoor transfer of public resources to the corporate and NGO sector (as
> evident in central government�s assistance to the high profile private
> Sanskriti School in Delhi and rapidly expanding schemes all over the country
> to promote private schools through PPP, low-interest loans and exemption of
> Income Tax to the schools as well as the parents).
> 4.      The government has already offered higher education for negotiation
> at GATS and this would soon become a commitment if the offer is not
> withdrawn before the next round of negotiations. The next to be offered at
> the GATS would be secondary education and possibly, pre-primary education.
> All this is designed to open the doors of Indian education for Foreign
> Direct Investment (FDI) for unregulated profiteering. A favourable ground
> for this unabashed profiteering is already being prepared by inviting
> foreign universities by exempting them from the regulatory and
> monitoring-related provisions of the proposed Foreign Education Providers
> Bill.
> 5.      All this is designed at promoting abdication by the Indian State of
> its Constitutional obligation to provide education of equitable quality to
> all children and youth at all stages of education from kindergarten to
> higher and professional education.
>
> This decision to commoditize Indian education will make education so
> expensive that even the middle class will find it beyond their means to pay
> for it. Already, we see the growing phenomenon of people selling their
> agricultural lands in order to pay for their children�s education. Or else
> they are forced to indulge in corrupt and other illegal practices to make
> quick money for sending their children to private schools and colleges.
>
> In view of the above, the All India Forum for Right to Education (AIF-RTE)
> decided at its last national consultation held at the Delhi University
> campus on 7-8 November 2009 to resist the entire aforesaid neo-liberal
> agenda and build a nation-wide movement for establishing a fully
> public-funded common education system �from KG to PG� which will guarantee
> free education of equitable quality to all sections of Indian society
> without any discrimination whatsoever. For a detailed perspective and the
> full set of the people's assertions, see the second attachment (i.e. AIF-RTE
> Press Release dated 9th November 2009).
>
> It is with the purpose of building a nation-wide movement for the aforesaid
> transformation of India�s education system that the AIF-RTE is organizing a
> Rally to the Parliament on 24th February 2010.
>
> We urge upon SDMCC Forum-Karnataka to join the Parliament Rally in Delhi on
> 24th February 2010 in full strength to let both the central government and
> the Karnataka state government know that the people will not accept their
> planned sell-out of India�s public-funded educational institutions and will
> struggle for rejuvenation of the education system. The reconstruction of the
> education system (not patchwork schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) was
> considered necessary to meet the national aspirations which were shaped
> during the freedom struggle against British imperialism and is reflected in
> India�s Constitution.
>
> In the meantime, please let us know your schedule of building up the
> struggle in Karnataka. The AIF-RTE will join hands with you by sending its
> delegations.
>  You are not alone in Karnataka.
>
> Your struggle is part of our nation-wide struggle to save India's education
> from a sell-out to the global market.
>
> It is indeed a struggle to protect India's sovereignty!
> Zindabaad!!
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Anil Sadgopal
> Member, Presidium
> All India Forum for Right to Education (AIF-RTE)
>
> E-8/29, Sahkar Nagar
> Bhopal 462 039, M.P.
> Tel.: (0755) 2560438
> Mo.: 09425600637
> Email: anilsadgopal@...
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: niranjan Aradhya <aradhyaniranjan@...>
> To: Ngo-Udayakumar <makkalamane@...>; Ngo-B T Venkatesh reach law
> <reachlaw@...>; Ng0-Karuna Trust <karunalp@...>;
> Ngo-Fr.kuriakose <frkuriakose@...>; network -cacl-Karnataka
> <caclkarnataka@...>; Ngo-Abhivrudhi <abhigubbi1@...>; Ngo-apsa
> bangalore <apsabangalore@...>; Ngo-Mathew philip Sichrem Philip
> <mathews.ashok@...>; Ngo-Spandana -Susheela
> <spandana_bgm@...>; Ngo-Vikasana-mandya
> <vikasanaird@...>; Ngo-paraspara <pet.hampi@...>;
> Ngo-Prachodana <prachodana@...>; Ngo-valored <valored@...>; NGO
> -SVKT <samajavikasakendra@...>; Ngo-Jeevika <jeevika90@...>;
> network-BGVS-Karnataka <bgvskarnataka@...>; NGO-Bangalore forum
> <bangalorengoforum@...>; NGO-Bheema <beema2002@...>;
> AAI-K-Nandini <nandini.k@...>; Ngo-Sahayog
> <sahayog_bdr@...>; Network-chegareddy <chegareddy@...>;
> Ngo-Samagra Grameena Ashrama
>  <samgraash@...>; Ngo-Dream school foundation <info@...>;
> Ngo-MGRDSCT <kcbmgrdsct@...>
> Sent: Wed, 30 December, 2009 1:36:27 PM
> Subject: New year gift for karnatka children !
>
>
> Dear All,
>
> Thanks for the Karnataka State government for its wonderful gift for the
> children of Karnataka in general and marginalised children in particular on
> the eve New Year to close down around 500 government schools (see page 4 of
> the Hindu dated 29.12.2009)
>
> In fact this is what exactly I have been talking since 2000; the conspiracy
> of the state to make its own schools defunct and close them down on the
> pretext of feasibility to accelerate the agenda of privatisation.
>
> Can we ask these questions to state?
>
> There are some police stations where hardly people go there to file
> complaints. Is the government closing down the police stations in the
> pretext of no complaints or crime?
>
> Except at the time of serious war the military of the state is always a
> burden because they have no other work to do; is the state reducing the
> number of people and platoons in the pretext of no war
>
> I think we need to launch, a state-wide movement against this arbitrary
> decision of the state. The theme for state-wide campaign would be �save
> government schools and save the learning space for marginalised Children�
>
> In this context ,after discussing with SDMC coordination forum members ,the
> SDMCCF issued the following statement and the same has been appeared in the
> Hindu on 30th December 2009. Following is the text of the press note
> (highlighted in blue)
>
>
> The Karnataka State School Development and Monitoring Committee Coordination
> Forum (SDMCCF) strongly oppose the decision of the State Government to close
> down nearly 500 government primary schools on the grounds of feasibility
> citing the less number of children. The Decision is unscientific and
> arbitrary.
>
> The government has made a hasty decision in this regard without looking into
> the reasons for the depletion of children in government schools. It is a
> clear indication that the state is making a deliberate attempt to make its
> own government school defunct and pave the way for privatization in the
> pretext of less number of children. We suspect a strong private lobby in
> this regard.
>
> We strongly urge the state to commission a study to make an in-depth
> research by involving parents, teachers and children for this sorry state of
> affairs in the state run government schools
>
> Till then we urge the state to keep its decision of closure in abeyance.
>
> Dr.Niranjanradhya.V.P Facilitator ,  SDMCC Forum-Karnataka
>
>
> In this backdrop, I request each one of you to issue a press statements in
> this regard in your respective blocks and districts. Let us plan statewide
> Dhahran/demonstrations in front of BEOs/DDPIs/DCs office to lodge our
> protest and send memorandum to oppose the move.
>
> Anticipating your early reply on the issue to chalkout plan of action
>
> In solidarity
> Niranjan
>
>
> Dr.Niranjanaradhya.V.P
> Fellow
> Centre for Child and the Law
> National Law School of India University
> Nagarbhavi,Bangalore -560242
> Karnataka-India
> Telefax: +9180-23160528
> Mobile +919448986913
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more.
>
>
>       The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Yahoo! Homepage.
> http://in.yahoo.com/


--
Vikas Gupta
Assistant Professor,
Department of History,
Social Science Building,
Arts Faculty,
Delhi University,
Delhi 110007.

Residence: D II/1,
University Flats,
Maurice Nagar,
Delhi 110007.
Ph: 011-27662347 & 09818193875
Email: vikasedu@...

New Year!

New Year at this political juncture, for me, is to challenge and confront the Neo-liberal state to protect , if not all  human rights but basic rights such as right to decent livelihood, right to equitable and meaningful education, right to good health and right to shelter .

I wish a very happy New Year that would give more energy and courage to fight this bankrupt, inhuman and faceless greedy state which is lusting for profit and commoditization of every single  aspect of human life including love and affection.

Let us work together.       

NIranjanradhaya

To you all,

May each day of coming year be vibrant bringing along many along many reasons for celebration �Wishing You all A Happy and Prosperous �New Year� .

�

From ASTITVA TEAM

30 December, 2009�

Jharkhand Assembly Election is over. The people of Jharkhand did not give a clear mandate to any political party or alliance, which surprises many people across the country precisely because there was a hue and cry on corruption prior to the election and it was also an assumption that the people are fed up with the corruption, instability and uncertainty created by the unholy alliance, small parties and independent MLAs therefore the expectation was for a clear mandate. Unfortunately, everything went just the opposite. The corruption icon Madhu Koda�s wife Geeta Koda, Enos Ekka and many other corrupt and tainted candidates won the election. In fact, among 81 elected members, 59 of them (73 %) are tainted with pending criminal cases like murder, kidnapping and theft. Therefore, what kind of governance is expected from these people other than corruption, crime and corporate terror?�

The fact of the matter is the people did not give their mandates to the corrupt and tainted candidates but they got elected only because our democracy is on sale, which was clearly seen during the election. Now even the voters know that they can sell their votes at least once in five years. There is a major shift noticed in the villagers� minds. The slogan �no development, no vote� has changed into �no money, no vote�, which the political parties have legitimated by openly distributing cash and kinds in the villages. According to Narottam Kumar of Dharampur village comes under the Mandu assembly constituency in Hazaribhagh district, a candidate of the national party gave Rs.50,000 to the villagers, carpets and Rs.10,000 to women group and provided liquor to men. Similarly, in Singhbhum region Rs.1000 packed in envelops distributed to each family and even the first time contesting independent candidates spent Rs. 5 to 10 lakh and secured 5 to 15 thousand votes.�

According to the latest report, the corporate houses have spent more than Rs.300 crore in Jharkhand Assemble Election by giving money to the political parties so that they can buy the votes and bring policies in favour of them. Interestingly, the fourth realm of the democracy -the Media also adopted the culture of �coverage package�, with the principle of �no money, no news�. The media houses had told to the candidates that if they want good election coverage, they must pay them in forms of ads. Now, it is socially accepted that a candidate can buy the votes, voters can sell their right to vote and the elected members are free to bargain for money generating miniseries. But the most shocking fact is the Adivasis who are known for their honesty are also involved in buying and selling the democratic rights and also favouring the corrupt politicians.�

Ironically, the holy priests are also in the part of unholy business of democracy. Will you be surprised if someone tells you that the corrupt politician Enos Ekka won the election and Benjamin Lakra with a clean image contested on the ticket of the Congress lost election only because the holy priests wanted that to happen? It is fact that the holy priests mobilized the people in favour of Enos Ekka on the basis of the work and benefits that he has ensured for the holy priests when he was minister before going to jail. Indeed, many Congress candidates lost the election only because the holy priests wanted to teach a lesion to the Congress. They believe that the Congress is the real culprit for Adivasis plight, which is of course not wrong. But the question is will they welcome the operation white hunt of Sangh Parivar against the Christians only because they hate the Congress? If the Christians are attacked in Jharkhand, they should not cry foul or pray to the almighty God to save them because they have handed over their houses to the devil for taking care of.�

However, the things in the state have gone extremely wrong despite the strong secular forces prevailing in the state; the communal forces could able to grab the power. In the Jharkhandi market of democracy, the Congress, JVM, AJSU and JMM are the gainers and the BJP, JDU and RJD are the losers but the biggest loser is the BJP, who has lost 12 seats despite having favourable climate for winning the election. Ironically, the BJP was not ready to concede the moral defeat and formed government with the JMM, AJSU and JD(U). The BJP has become shameless party, who can do anything for grabbing the power. The Congress-JVM alliance did not go for any kind of horse trading despite emerging as the biggest alliance with 25 seats. It seems that they are looking for the long term politics. If they could be able to maintain their alliance, they would be in the driving seat next time.���

Jharkhand is really an unfortunate state, where an independent MLA can become the state head, any one can manipulate the public opinion for grabbing power and swallow the huge public money. Take the example of the BJP, who defended its tie-up with tainted JMM leader Shibu Soren though they had tirelessly criticized the Congress for giving him ministry in the UPA-I. The BJP president Nitin Gadkari defended the party�s decision of supporting JMM leader Shibu Soren to form the next Government in Jharkhand saying that stability and interests of the people of that state were the only concerns. Gadkari said it was Congress and not Soren who was responsible for corruption in politics. But he forgets that the JMM was the part of Madhu Koda government and not the Congress. It was supported from the outside but of course the Congress can not be given a clean chit. Both the parties � BJP and JMM seem to be the power hungry therefore they can justify everything. Another twist is Bandhu Turkey, who is supporting Sibu Soren to ensure that the investigation on purchase of games and sports materials for the national game halted. Most important question is will the BJP who tirelessly cries foul on the issue of corruption, shield Bandhu Turkey?�

Guruji Sibu Soren is also unique in many ways. In the Assembly election of 2005, he had ensured the defeat of the JMM by adopting the dynastic politics and now he became another Jai Prakash Narayan in giving secular certificate to the BJP, who was the key player in the demolition of Babri Mosque, Gujrat riots and Kandhmal violence. He repeatedly said, �BJP is not a communal party�. After joining hands with the BJP, now he knows that the BJP is a secular party at least better than the Congress. The question here would be if the BJP is a secular party why he was the part of the Congress alliance earlier and also did not go for the pre-poll alliance with the BJP? Can he be allowed to portray a lion as a lamb merely to grab the power? Most of the MoUs (54) are signed by Arjun Munda to sell forests, rivers and lands of Jharkhand in the hands of the MNCs and Sibu Soren fought to save these. Will he be able to save land, forest and water with the BJP supported government? Can he say that the BJP is not a capitalist party or only the Congress sold the Adivasis resources? How long Sibu Soren will carry on unholy politics for grabbing the power?�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Jharkhand has been victimized by unholy politics right from the beginning. The state has witnessed the unholy politics brought by the BJP, flourished during the regime of the UPA and supported by the JMM. In these circumstances, Jharkhand can be saved only through two ways � i) a new regional party emerges with the understanding of Jharkhandi culture, socio-economy and politics of the indigenous people and ii) the almighty God, who can throw light over the power hungry and corrupt politicians for resurrection of the state. The unholy politics must be stopped if the state has to address the people�s issues, engineer its destiny and grow with prosperity. Though Sibu Soren seems to be enjoying on his political move at this moment but he must be ready either to be jailed or leave the chair of the chief minister within next 6 months because he would be surely facing investigation agencies and one more Tamar test (election) as well and Jharkhand would be on sale, loot and robbery once again. Indeed, the future of Jharkhand seems to be dark under the unholy politics.�

Thanks Gladson.Every word of your statement is true to the core and has always
been so.This applies not only to the civil societies but also to all other
agencies including governments,educational and other institutions.Nothing has
changed in 63 years of Independence and has gone worse in Jharkhand since its
creation 9 years ago and our so called tribal leaders have been party to it.
But why have we depended on others so long. Is it because, we have become used
to hand outs? Or may be the centuries of exploitation and sub jugation has left
us helpless, voiceless and ruderless and struggling for two meals in a day and
roof over our heads. What ever is the reason,its about time we should wake up
and stand up and fight for our share of benifits in emerging India.We the
educated Adivasi people should spare some time for the benifit of the rest of
the community because we have depended on others too long.Its about time we form
our own NGOs and work for our own people. But it takes time to know the ropes
and need financial support and training in the beginning.Similarly our tribal
leaders need to know how to govern and do useful work for all the people.
You have a good start and we support your efforts but we have to involve others
as well.
Dhuni soren

Uncivilized Practices of the Civil Society

�

By Gladson Dungdung

�

The term �Civil Society� is mostly used for voluntary organizations, non-governmental organizations and non-profit institutions. These are also called as civil society organizations. Interestingly, most of these organizations are always busy in criticizing the state (which is of course not wrong as the state is a failure), but they themselves behave like the state when it comes to the issues of Adivasis, Dalits and Women of D-section (deprived sections), even though they have also failed in delivering justice to marginalized peoples. Most of these organizations are led by elites even after 62 years of Indian independence. They enjoy corporate rate salaries, luxurious accommodations and air travel in the name of Adivasis, Dalits and women of D-section. The misappropriation of funds in the name of marginalized groups remains uncounted, despite that they are masters in lecturing on the issues of responsibility, transparency and accountability.�

�

There are very interesting kinds of so-called civil society organizations � 1) based in the small cities or villages and getting less funds, 2) headquartered in Delhi and other big cities and bagging huge funds, and 3) NGO federations called people�s organizations. Perhaps, the secretary, director and chief functionaries of these organizations are never replaced against their will, though they talk much about democracy. These civil society organizations also bring the mass organizations, social movements and displacement movements into their clutches and cash these in dollars, euros and pounds. Don�t be surprised if some organizations based in Delhi show you a beautiful power point presentation about the Adivasi movements against displacement in Jharkhand, Orissa or Chhatishgarh.

�

There are also the holy cows called �funding agencies� (national and international), who love to be called civil society organizations, whose prime job is to collect the money, enjoy most of it and give the rest to other organizations. Ironically, these organizations fund those NGOs headed by non-Adivasis for the revival of Adivasi tradition, culture and ethos, but at the same time they avoid joining hands with Adivasi-headed organizations for the same purposes. The sad part is, the Adivasis are still unqualified for the funding organizations; therefore, a few Adivasis can be seen in the lowest strata of these organizations, despite their professional qualities, commitment and dedication. There are also some organizations who advocate for the Adivasi Chief Minister for the state of Jharkhand, but when it comes to the matter of their organizations, they cannot bear to see an Adivasi in the driving seat. They also advocate for promotion and protection of Adivasi languages, but their doors are always closed for the non-English� speaking, marginalized people.

�

These organizations tirelessly use the connotation �empowering the marginalized�, �voice to the voiceless� and �women empowerment,� but when it comes to the question of leadership, they just escape in one way or the other. Why did the civil society organizations fail in bringing up the Adivasi leadership was the most important question repeatedly asked in the National Consultation on Adivasis of India organized by the National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS) in Delhi on December 15-16, 2009. A noted Gandhian and founder of the Ekta Parishad, P.V. Rajgopal, accepts in denial mode that the civil society organizations have failed in bringing up the Adivasi leadership but he also advocates for a united fight by saying, �The issue like displacement is not just limited to the Adivasis but it is also hitting the farmers, vendors and fishermen.� But does it mean that the question of Adivasis get less priority?

�

Ironically, the non-Adivasi leaders of the civil society organizations not only respond diplomatically but also justify their leadership of the Adivasis. While responding to the questions of Adivasis leadership, a prominent social activist from Jharkhand, Sanjay Bosu Mullick, says, �Since the Adivasis do not know about the exploitative system and structure of our (non-adivasis) society, therefore we are fighting with our people on behalf of them.� One can only appreciate this diplomatic response and thank the God who has given wits, wisdom and knowledge only to the non-Adivasis for not only understanding their society but also the Adivasis, and shame on those Adivasis (like me) who do not even possess the wisdom to understand their own society.

�

The reality is that the Adivasis are racially discriminated, exploited economically and denied their rights in the civil society organizations. Similarly, the Dalits are treated like untouchables, uneducated and inhuman, and the women of D-section are not only exploited socially, economically and mentally but they are also exploited sexually by the Big-bosses of the civil society organizations. The irony is, our participation is for them is to listen to our sorrows patiently through their tongues in a conference hall, give our consent to their words and always make sure that they are our messiahs. How would you explain it when your wisdom, commitment, dedication, capacity and efficiency do not matter for them but your race, caste, class, colour and relationship possesses multiple values for them instead?

�

When the Adivasis enter into these organizations, especially in the funding ones, their years of work experience are counted as one or two years (so that they can be kept in the lowest strata), they are compared with their counterpart (always a non-adivasi is used as a parameter for them) for further promotion and their ten achievements are not enough to beat the couple of achievements of a non-Adivasi. When one raises these issues in the organizations, they would manipulate, manufacture consent with their colleagues and dilute the whole debate to ensure that the Adivasis lose the game. Finally, if the Adivasis leave these organizations, they would frame them as opportunists, non-committed to the Adivasi cause and counted as one more enemy of the Adivasis.

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One can question that why are the marginalized people of these organizations keeping quiet in these circumstances? The instant answer is, a wage labourer bears all kinds of discrimination, exploitation and torture only because he/she knows that the day a question is raised, he/she would be thrown out of the job. Similar theory is applied to the marginalized people, who are ensuring their daily bread from these civil society organizations. How can one dare to question the big-boss, when he/she is just struggling for survival? Can you imagine how the marginalized people are being exploited, denied and discriminated against in those organizations, who tirelessly talk about participation, empowerment, rights, equality and justice?

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The fact of the matter is the perception, attitude and behaviour of the elite heads of civil society organizations towards Adivasis, Dalits and women of D-section are no different from the common people of the so-called civilized society. They talk much about participation, empowerment, rights, equality and justice merely to ensure themselves a� luxurious life, bag awards and become a role model in the name of Adivasis, Dalits and Women of D-section; therefore, they also play the game of words just like the politicians do. Can anyone remind me about how many Adivasis, Dalits and women of D-section were awarded (megasese) for their extraordinary work and became a role model for all Indians?

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Interestingly, the vision of these organizations is more or less the same � formation of an equitable and just society, but the pertinent question is how the utopian vision can be achieved through discriminatory, inequitable and unjust practices? In fact, the elite heads of the civil society organizations should stop their uncivilized practices, which they are carrying out for decades. It is the right time to let the marginalized people play their own game, become umpires and take over as the match referee. And the elites should only become the fourth umpires rather than playing match for the marginalized people. Then only their talks about the empowerment, equality and justice can be fulfilled.

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Before civil society organizations organize the next consultation, convention or conference on Adivasi, Dalit or Women�s Rights, all marginalized people should stand up and say strongly that enough is enough, let the Adivasis, Dalits and women of D-section speak for themselves. The time has come to tell them (non-Adivasis heads) that we are grateful to you for advocating on behalf of us for the last six decades, but no more manipulation please. We are tired of hearing about our grievances through your holy tongues; therefore, we want the world to listen to our grievances through our mouths. We want to speak for ourselves and we are capable enough to save our culture. But the question that may remain unanswered is, will you, the Messiahs of the Adivasis, Dalits and women listen us?

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Gladson Dungdung is a Human Rights Activist and Writer from the Adivasi (Indigenous) Community of Jharkhand. He can be reached at gladsonhractivist@...

Respected Madam/Sir,

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It�s our pleasure to inform you that a �National conference and convention on Peace and Social Harmony� is being organized by GANDHI SHANTI SADBHABANA MANCH on 30 and 31 January 2010 at Bhubaneswar. This conference will address fundamental issues on social harmony, secular education for peace, Gandhian values, multiculturalism, environment and conflict, role of media, civil society, role of religious and political leaders in promoting communal and social harmony, perspectives in human rights, women, dalit, minority and indigenous people in conflicting situations etc.

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Dear Friends,������

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Our state is undergoing drastic changes in all aspects of development process whereas the concern of the civil society had not been taken up seriously by the state and market due to its fragmented nature. The recent issue of Farmers� suicide and the mega mining scam have posed serious concern before all of us.

You may also be aware that since the Earth Summit in 1993, the term �Civil Society� has become a catchword and mantra for those seeking an alternative between absolute reigns of the state and competing agendas of the market. Very recently, CIVICUS- the World Alliance for Citizens� Participation, a UN nodal body, had undertaken a study of the fragmented Odisha Civil Society covering four important aspects namely its structure, environment, values and impact. One of its recommendations is to establish an inclusive state level mechanism for systematic interface among the 40 plus sub sectors of Odisha civil society. NGOs are just one of these 40 sub sectors.

Since then, some right thinking and well meaning citizens of the state have been discussing the idea of bringing together all the sub sectors for building an inclusive civil society which could collectively articulate the legitimate interests and concerns of the state, a little more forcefully. In this context, a concept outline of the proposed �Odisha Nagarik Samaj� is enclosed herewith for further your reference.

Initially, on 18^th December, 2009, we are meeting in Jayadev Bhawan at 10AM( Suchana Bhawan) to listen to some affected farmers� families & civil society groups about their field report on farmers� suicide and possible civil society response. We will also be discussing the mega mining scam and what can we do about it.

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Therefore, we would request you to participate in the discussion, share your insights and join the process which will go a long way in the history of development of the state.

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In solidarity,

On behalf of Odisha Nagarik Samaj,

Dr. Bhagabanprakash(9238385285)

Er.Lalit Patnaik(9437007865)

Md. Ziauddin Ahamed(9438256894)

Ananta Charan9437508839)

Subas Chandra Panda(9861033329)

Manoj Jena(9437178921)

Madhusudan Das(9438536248)

Ms. Rituparna Mohanty(9437033341)

Gobinda Ballava Dalai(9437936315)

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