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25 years of Struggle and Reconstruction in Narmada Valley October 22nd – 23rd, 2010 Dhadgaon (Mah) and Badwani (M.P.) |
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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 Andolanand 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.
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October 22nd at Dhadgaon, District Nandurbar, Maharashtra and October 23rd at Badwani, District Badwani, Madhya Pradesh. |
Reach Dhadgaon on 21st evening or 22nd 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 22nd and 23rd will be followed by the 8th Bi-annual Convention of National Alliance of People’s Movements at Badwani, Madhya Pradesh from October 24th to 26th. 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,
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Surbhan Bhilala |
Mohan Patidar |
Kailash Awasya |
Kamla Yadav |
Keshav Vasave |
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Noorji Padvi |
Ranveer Tomar |
Bawa Mahariya |
Jankibai |
Bhagirath Dhangar |
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Ratan Vasave |
Shankar Kagada |
Devram Kanera |
Shantabai |
Siyaram Padvi |
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Yogini Khanolkar |
Chetan Salve |
Bhagirath Kavche |
Gokhru Barela |
Lalchand Patidar |
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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
Ø Suniti S R, Pune
Ø Pervin Jehangir, Mumbai: