SIX MONTHLY REPORT

 

JANUARY 2001 - JUNE 2001

 

 

1.   INTRODUCTION

 

Working at the grassroots with our Adivasi people is quite interesting by way of sharing their dreams, ambitions, joys, sorrows, anxieties etc. Our efforts through various activities are directed towards this. You will find in this report, the following things:                                                           

a)      Natural calamities and our responce,

b)      The tribal Lawyers and their practice,

c)      Legal awareness programmes,

d)      The People’s Organizations and

e)      Looking to the future.

 

2.      RELIEF PROGRAMMES

                                    

2.1.      Earthquake         

 

26th January, 8.45 a.m. shook all of us in Gujarat. It was felt very severely in Kutch. The entire world came forward to be with the people of Kutch. The LAHRC, collaborated with BSC and UNNATI –Ahmedabad based NGOs under the banner of CITIZENS INITIATIVE- in collecting some datas about the Dalits, Muslims and Tribals, and helping to carry out the relief activities, For about two months, almost all our field staff and our tribal lawyers including the Director were in different parts of Kutch doing the needful. We are very happy to state that our Project Coordinator, Mr. Amrutbhai was specially invited by BSC to do a study on watershed in Kutch soon after the quake. He was one of the first ones to visit the quake-affected areas.

 

Lessons Learnt:                    

While working there, all of us realized that a lot of discriminations had been done to the Muslims, Dalits and the Tribals. To give an example, even after three months of the quake, the Tribals had not been given any special relief package from the government whereas the others had received. So one of the first things, we did upon returning back to Surat was to do a signature campaign and then to send to the government. Just a few days back, we received a reply from the State Government stating that the tribal needs have been taken care of.

 

Another thing we realized while working there was that the Tribals (KOLIS) of Kutch, have completely forgotten the fact that they are Tribals. They have been exposed to such cultures and ways of living and worship that they have forgotten their original culture and adopted themselves to an alien culture and ways of worship. They are also indirectly subjected to the caste system which keeps them at the lowest rung of the caste ladder. The same situation could easily spread to other parts of Gujarat if the tribals do not work towards the preservation of their identity, culture, customs and rights. 

 

Pull Out:                     

After working there for about two months, we came away from there to pay attention to the acute drought situation in our area.

 

2.2.  Drought   

The failure of monsoon for two consecutive years in most parts of Gujarat added to the miseries of the people as well as of the Gujarat Government. Most of the donor agencies and NGOs were busy in reaching out to the victims of the earthquake in Kutch. In spite of the prevailing grim drought situation, the media hardly  high lighted anything about it. In reality, the situation was so bad that

 

·        The people did not have enough to eat

·        No work was available in their own area or elsewhere too

·        A lot of villages faced drinking water problems

·        Problem of fodder for the cattle etc.

 

So our people got anxious. People started migrating to various places looking for work. Many of them returned within a week or so as no work was available anywhere. A lot of interactions took place between us and our people. The People’s Organizations (PO) showed keen interest in doing something useful for the people.

 

First Step:                  

The first challenge was to see as to how to convince the government about the seriousness of the drought situation. So discussions were held with the people. Then through the LAHRC surveys were made to show the seriousness of the situation. The POs presented the outcome of the surveys to the respective authorities in their talukas. Their initial reaction was, “No drought in Surat District”.

 

Second Step:              

The second challenge was to approach the higher authorities at the District Head Quarters and at State Head Quarters.  Mr. Amruthbhai attended the meeting called by the Chief Minister of Gujarat to discuss with the NGOs on drought situation. The present District Collector Mrs. Sangeeta Singh is a very understanding and an honest person. We approached her and explained the entire matter to her and submitted a memorandum along with the result of the surveys we had made. Being convinced of the seriousness of the situation, she instructed the Taluka authorities to visit the villages and give their findings. Based on our surveys and the authorities’ findings, the Collector, declared the areas as fully drought affected  and partially affected.

 

Third Step:                

The third challenge was to get the government authorities to implement the relief works (schemes) in the manner in which the needy would benefit the most. We informed our POs the various relief works with the Government and how to benefit from them. In all our areas, the three main problems were: drinking water, availability of work for the people and fodder for the cattle. 

 

Fourth Step:               

Under the above-described situation, the fourth challenge was to find out ways to ease out this hard-pressed situation by some supplementary programmes since the government programmes were enough to reach to all in need. So with the POs we discussed various possibilities and then decided to approach some donors for help in order to provide enough work for the people – in the form of watershed programmes like bunding, deepening of wells, check dams, road repairs and seeds and fertilizers. The Government had no plans for seeds and fertilizers. But this was one of the things most needed.

 

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

 

So we approached

1)      The Provincial of Gujarat Jesuit Province,

2)      The Diocese of Vadodara,

3)      MISEREOR and

4)      Many other individuals and donor agencies.

The Provincial, gave us Rs.4,00,000/-. Vadodara Diocese gave us Rs.7, 62,000. MISEREOR gave us Rs.9, 96,775/-. With this amount, under the leadership of the POs, we under took Food for Work and Fertilizer programmes.

 

Result:             

1.            The POs were very happy that they could reach out to the suffering at least in a small measure.

2.            The POs were proud that through the cooperation of the Executive Committee members and the village representatives and the LAHRC, they could achieve things like: convincing the Government and getting helps both from the Government as well as from other sources and managing the implementation of these.   

3.            By taking part in such activities, their self- confidence increased.

4.            The immediate needs of the people were taken care of and so the anxieties and worries of the people were reduced.

5.            The feeling that the POs and the LAHRC are for and with the Adivasi community. We could give work to 3005 families for five man-days. The amount spent on food for work was: RS. 7,62,000/-. Through fertilizer scheme, we could reach out to 14,000 members, each one getting RS. 100/-.The amount spent for fertilizer was RS. 14/-lacs. The fertilizer money was given partly as help and partly as loan. Some well do members of the POs did not want to make use of this fertilizer scheme. The total amount spent on food for work and fertilizer is RS. 21,62,000/-. 

 

Lessons learnt:  

1.            Together with the people (POs), we could do wonders. The power of the common man is great.

2.            If the higher ranked government authorities are pro poor and sympathetic, it is easy to get things done even in the absence of the elected members though the lower ranked officials are not very sympathetic.

3.            An integrated approach to Development enables and encourages people to participate in the welfare of the Community. The POs get strengthened by taking up certain economic activities as well.

4.            Strengthening the POs will also help to organize the unorganized labourers. This will enhance the bargaining power of the poor labourers specially the sugar cane cutters and farm labourers.

5.            When people understand things properly then they come forward to contribute by way of shramdan i.e. free service.

6.            As a long-term remedy, watershed/water harvesting programmes need to done in this area. We are planning to start watershed programmes in the near future as a long-term remedy to face calamities like drought or floods.

 

3.            TRIBAL LAWYERS

 

Last May our tribal lawyers left for their areas to practice in their respective courts. The distribution of lawyers in different courts:

 

Name of court

No. of Lawyers

Total

 

Female

Male

 

Vyara(Nizar,Uchhal,Vyara, Songadh)

11

3

14

Mandvi

2

2

4

Mangrol (Zanhkvav, Umarpada)

2

3

5

Dediapada

 

1

1

Total

14

9

24

 

The link court at Nizar functions only three days in a month.

 

Experience at Surat:             

All of them had good experiences with their senior lawyers both in their offices and in the courts. The seniors found them dedicated, interested to learn and self-confident. The judges found them very attentive in the courts, very regular, punctual and polite. Many could not believe that tribal men and women could become lawyers and become so confident.

 

Experience at their local courts:                  

Right now all of them are practicing in their local courts. Our lawyers ae tring to get adjusted to the new surroundings in these courts. The competition seems to be tough. Some non-tribal lawyers do not like to see our around the courts as ours attract their clients. Some have already started getting cases. Most of them in Vyara have hired rooms close to the courts. They have a senior advocate there, who helps them out.

 

Sonalben has opened her own office in Vyara. She is the first woman lawyer to open her independent office in Vyara. She is also the first lawyer from our group to open her own office.

 

In Mandvi, all the four have hired rooms in the town. The women advocates are attached to a senior lawyer and the men advocates are attached to another senior lawyer.

 

Harisinghbhai and Ratilalbhai have opened their own offices at Umarpada.

 

Radhaben shares her office with her sister who has a Xerox shop at Zankhvav.

 

Experience in the field:         

Since they need to know the people, they spend most of their holidays and other free days in conducting legal awareness camps in the villages. Our local legal aid centers help them to organize such camps. They take part in out of court settlements besides taking up the cases of the LAHRC for a fixed fee to be fought in the courts. They also take part in building up the People’s Organizations (PO).     

 

In short, as the saying goes, “Well begun is half done”, our lawyers have begun

well. A bright future awaits them. It is up to them to make the best of the situation.

 

Monthly Meetings:   

Once a month they come to Surat. All the lawyers meet at the LAHRC. They have the sharing of their experiences. This is very enriching for each other. From this, they learn a lot. Then some inputs are given on some interesting or relevant legal matter or on Confidence building. Some times we also invite senior lawyers from outside, to address them. They make use of this opportunity to meet their senior lawyers, to consult them on some matters and also to revive their relationships in the courts and with other lawyers. This is also an occasion for them to get their stipend and T.A. and also to get their stationeries and some useful books.

 

LEGAL LIBRARY:    

Since the legal books are costly and the need to refer to such books is essential for a good legal practice, we have started Legal Library in four strategic centers in order to help our lawyers. The four centers are: Uchhal, Vyara, Mandvi and Zankhvav.

 

REQUEST:   

Looking at the performance of our tribal lawyers, already requests have started coming to us asking us to train more lawyers. In the courts, some court officials and pro poor lawyers have asked us to go ahead with this programme. We are considering the possibilities.

 

4.         THE LEGAL ACTIVITIEIS  

           

Legal awareness programmes: 

Ever since we started the POs, often the legal awareness programmes are combined with PO’s awareness programmes in order not to multiply the number of meetings in the villages

 

Out of Court Settlements:                   

Before starting the POs, we used to have out of court settlements mostly twice a month. But now we have them once a month, giving the elders the main role to decide. When some centers need more then we have them. The reason for this is that slowly people are realizing the futility in fighting and are ready to solve them among themselves. We are encouraging the disputes to be settled in the villages itself. This helps in more village participation, saving of time, money and energy.

 

Though we help out in settling individual disputes, we are moving towards issues which affect a lot of people like basic amenities, drought relief, corruption, irregularities in Government welfare schemes etc. We make the people aware of their fundamental rights to a dignified life as citizens and tribals.

 

Para-legal cum grass root workers training:  

In the month of March, we have started a training for a group of tribals from our seven centres. They are 45 both men and women. It is an experienced and need based traianing.The idea is that they get exposed to their own people and take up the various issues of the people. In the process, their leadership qualities get developed. This helps them even to get elected into their own village panchayats. They also help the POs in various ways

Request:         Some NGOs working in this area and else where have requested us to conduct such trainings for their groups too. We have agreed to do so. This could be one form of networking. Dr. Arjun Patel from Centre for Social Studies, Surat is one of those who would like to collaborate and also would like his group to be trained. He is working with some OBC (other backward castes) groups.

 

Estimate of pending Cases in the High Courts of the Country:     

According to a news item from a local weekly called PRAGALB, the back log of litigations in various High Courts are as below:

 

Five years back:        28,00,000 pending cases

At present:                 34,50,000 pending cases.

 

The situation of the Supreme Court: 

 

In 1992:                      1,04,936

At Present:                 22,000.

 

NB: Through the POs and the LAHRC we have been requesting the concerned authorities to establish courts both at Uchhal and Umarpada.

 

4.            PEOPLE’S ORGANISATIONS (POs)           

Right now our main interest is in getting the POs consolidated before further expansion. Till date, there are around 18,500, members spread out in 366 villages. In the beginning, we thought that by spreading in many villages and making more members, the POs would become strong. So we made all efforts to spread to as many villages as possible keeping in mind the basic requirements of, a) above 18 years of age, b) at least 40 members in a village- 20 women and 20 men at least and  c)  membership fee.

 

After doing this, we realized that the members needed to be really motivated in order

to be effective. Also they needed to be activated and initiated into taking up leadership. The ownership of the POs needed to be cultivated and experimented in various ways.

 

One more thing we have realized is that however careful we are in spreading the right

message to the people about the POs, there are people who join the POs for short term benefits i.e. joining with a hope of getting some individual economic benefits. So quite a few seemed to have joined the POs with such expectations. Soon such members became disgruntled and started becoming stumbling blocks for the POs i) to function as a “pressure group”, ii) to remain without any allegiance to any particular religious or political party, iii) to work for the preservation of tribal existence, identity, culture, iv) to gain control over natural resources leading to a self dignified and self-sufficient life of the tribal society. Unfortunately many members have not understood this message, rather many do not want to understand and accept this message in its authentic form for various reasons. Such members are also instigated by various vested interests that see the POs opposed to their selfish and destructive methods. We are in the process of weaning out such elements and making  the POs effective, strong and powerful.

 

So our one point programme for this period is: reach out to each and every member of

the POs with the right message. Many members of the Governing Body (GB) along with the LAHRC’s staff and trainees and with some interested village representatives took up to one method called village abhiyan – village march. The method is very simple and attractive. The GB before hand inform the concerned villages saying that some members of the POs would visit them and would like to hold a small meeting with them to make them understand the need of POs and the need for them to join and to support the POs. Wherever they go, they distribute themselves in to different houses and enjoy their hospitality. The idea is to cover the entire taluka. This means going around in hired vehicles with banners and musical instruments for a week or so. This has not only helped the village people to get right notion of the POs but also to bring the team members closer to each other. This approach was well appreciated. In all the seven talukas, during the month of March, village march was held. Seeing the effectiveness of this method, the POs have decided to have such village marches at least two to three times a year.

 

Some plans for strengthening the POs are:

a)      at least two meetings/trainings in every village in a month,

b)      more meetings between a few villages once in a way-Zonal meetings,

c)      more training for the village representatives and Governing Body members in matters like monitoring, account keeping, documentation, conducting meetings and writing minutes, taking up small issues in the villages, taking up leadership in helping the people to benefit the various government welfare schemes etc.,

d)      taking up one issue/problem per village per month,

e)      taking up one common issue/problem per taluka per month,

f)        taking up more village abhiyan  for conscientization,

g)      taking up relief works when need arises like last summer,

h)      celebrating some important days like Indigenous Peoples Day, Independence Day, International Women’s Day, Human Rights Day etc.

i)        activating the village through gram sabha (people’s forum) and paying attention to the integral development of the village,

j)        taking up issues related to human rights violations,

k)      starting a saving scheme for the entire taluka,

l)        starting M.S.S.=mulvasi swayam sevak sangh – indigenous people’s voluntary association for the youth,

m)    forming a training team and a cultural team for each taluka and also for the District and

n)      making all life members,

o)      going in for quality than quantity.

 

A few success stories:

Getting the area declared by the government as drought affected and getting the benefits of the same.

1.       Implementing the relief works and fertilizer programme in collaboration with the LAHRC.

2.       Identifying and getting the government welfare schemes to the needy ones in the areas.

3.       Holding gram sabhas in many panchayats even in the absence of the elected members. Opposing the postponement of the village panchayat elections in various forms.

4.       Getting a regular column in a gujarati weekly called PRAGALB to write about adivasis by Adv. Gemjibhai Vasava.

5.       Spreading the idea of tribal identity: Around two years back, the governing Body Members of the POs coined a typical slogan “JAI ADIVASI” – Hail the Adivasi- to be used for greeting, for boosting and also for a special identity of the tribal.To our great joy, today that slogan has spread far and wide. Many other tribal NGOs have also taken up to this slogan and are tying in their own way to popularize this slogan. A lot children and the POs have started greeting each other Jai Adivasi with the right fist up and the left hand up with “V” sign.

6.       Printing JAI ADIVASI stickers and calendars: Last December, along with the POs, we decided to print light green colour stickers and calendars with the FOOTPRINT and JAI ADIVASI on it. This was in order to instill the pride of being tribals and to appeal to their emotions. We printed over 20,000 calendars. Each calendar was sold for RS. 6/- each. Big sticker was sold for RE. 1/- and the small sticker for 50 paise. All the calendars have been sold and the stickers are still being sold. Encouraged by this, this year too we are planning to print calendars with more information about tribal customs, feasts etc. Seeing our stickers, many other NGOs have also come forward with JAI ADIVASI stickers in different colours and shapes. Why green colour and foot print? Green colour is to remind the tribals of their close relationship with mother earth and nature and also a call to bring green revolution in their areas by taking control of natural resources and also to safe guard the environment. The footprint is a symbol to remind the tribal that he/she is the first person of the earth and he/she is the one who is in close contact with mother earth. This in turn invites him/her to work toward keeping the earth pollution free and to avoid excess use of natural resources. This also is a matter of great pride and joy for him/her.

1.       Some issues taken up by us being taken up by other groups now. Through the LAHRC and the POs, we have been requesting the Government, to open the right side canal of Ukai dam which could irrigate around 40 tribal villages. The sitting MLA of Mangrol – Umaprada talukas has taken up this issue. In the same way, now many political parties and NGOs in our areas have started taking up tribal identity issue and celebrating INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.

2.       Creating fund for the POs:   A small beginning has been done in the following ways: a) During the drought relief food for work programme, each member contributed RS. 2/- per day for the POs. b)  The actual cost of the calendar was RS. 5/-. But they were sold for RS. 6/-. Thus the calendars fetched some money for the POs. c) The stickers cost less than RE. 1/- and 50 paise. But they are sold at this rate in order to get some fund for the POs. d) Part of the fertilizer money has been given as loan. When the loan money is repaid, this will go into creating another fund called REVOLVNG FUND for the needs of the POs. e) After settlement of certain disputes, people sometimes give some money as donation to the LAHRC. This amount too is added to the fund of the POs. f) MISEREOR has granted RS. 7/-lacs as matching grant. Each PO gets RS.1/-lac for its fund.

3.       The Surat District Legal Authority Service Cell has recommended the LAHRC to the Legal Authority Service Board, High Court of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, as the leading organization in Surat district for conducting legal awareness programmes.

 

TOT for Women NGOs:     

Some months back, around 20 women NGOs working in this area had requested us to train their women leaders so that they in turn could train other women in their centres. The idea is to have an association of many Women NGOs. So in February, we started for them a “Training of Trainers” training. Around 40 women are taking part in this – two per centre. The head of each NGO closely follows them up and helps them in training other women. The core team goes around training each centre. Side by side, we have had a couple of sessions for the heads of these NGOs so that the trainees can usefully be followed up. How long will this training go on? It is a need-based training. So only time will tell us.

 

6.   OPPOSITION                 

 

We are facing a lot of oppositions from many quarters. Thos who oppose us could be politicians or bureaucrats or police or religious fundamentalists or vested interests. All this depends on time, place and interests that get affected. Of late the politicians and the police’s interests seem to be getting affected by the activities of the POs. Here is an example.

 

On the 25th of June, together with the field staff, we had gone to meet the

various heads of the Government Departments in Surat District. After meeting them personally, we placed before them our complaints in writing against various forces that are at work against the interests of the tribals in the district. The authorities gave a sympathetic hearing and promised to do the needful. We had met the District Collector and also the District Development Officer. Within a few days, the copies of our complaints reached the concerned departments in the taluka headquarters. This forced the respective authorities to take actions. Since the local authorities did not have the will to do anything, they called up all the concerned parties against whom complaints had been made and informed them that they were not interested in doing anything against them but the POs and the LAHRC are the culprits of these complaints. So now the police in Uchhal and Vyara areas are very much opposed to us. The politicians of Uchhal and Mangraol and Umarpada are also terribly upset with us. A few days later the Taluka Panchayat President and the Chairperson of the Taluka Social Justice cell started abusing the Director on the phone for making such complaints. The following day, the MLA of Mangrol - Umarpada constituency very strongly expressed his displeasure to the Director over the phone for making such complaints. Then when Anilbhai, one of our trainees went to meet the Uchhal Taluka Panchayat President for some work, he fired him for making such complaints. When the relief work was going, we wanted to hire two jeeps to reach to different villages in Uchhal area. But we could not get a single one as the jeeps are owned by vested interests.

 

But these things will not deter us from doing something in the welfare of our people. These will only help us to be more creative.

 

7.      LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

 

a)      Preparing for the celebration of Indigenous People’s day on August 9th.

b)      Starting saving schemes for each taluka.

c)      Starting training cum cultural teams for each taluka and one for the district.

d)      Open up our training for other NGOs.

e)      Possibility of starting watershed/water harvesting programmes in the areas.

f)        More training for the POs.

g)      Preparing for the General Body Meeting of all the POs and changing the office bearers.

h)      Preparing for the forthcoming village panchayat elections for choosing the right candidates.

 

8.   ASHOKA FELLOWSHIP FOR STANNY

 

Stanny has been given the Ashoka Fellowship.

 

What is Ashoka Fellowship? “Ashoka: Innovators for the Public is a global non-profit organization with its headquarters in Arlington, USA. It provides Fellowship to individuals (not to projects) who are crafting new solutions for existing social problems. The recipients of this fellowships are “SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS” who are working on new ideas in any field of development ( health, gender rights, human rights, education, income generation etc.) and have the blueprint for replicating their ideas for national and international impact”. “The global vision of Ashoka is to define and create a new professional association of social entrepreneurship. It thus invests financial and non-financial resources to these social entrepreneurs to help them launch and refine their vision and careers. A financial support is given for the first three years. It also endeavours to bring fellows together nationally, regionally and internationally to learn from and collaborate with each other. Over 1100 Ashoka Fellows are currently working in 40 countries in diverse fields”. “We are delighted once again to welcome you into the ASHOKA FELLOWOSHIP”.

 

9.   CONCLUSION

 

The POs are slowly but steadily growing and getting strong. The POs are slowly asserting themselves. Our desire is to see it grow to its full and let the tribal community enjoy the fruits of it! We have a lot of challenges ahead of us along with some surprises. Our hope in the goodness of all beings keeps us enthusiastic and optimistic! Thanks for being with us and supporting us.

 

 

              

JAI ADIVASI! We are proud that we are Adivasis and Indians!

 

 

 

Date:   15.8.01.                                                                                J. Stanny

Place:    Surat.                                                                                  Director.