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 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,
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
       Delhi Forum, New Delhi                  :011-26680883 / 26680914
       Joe Athialy, New Delhi                  :09868114470
       Suniti S R, Pune                        :09423571784 / 020-24251404
       Pervin Jehangir, Mumbai:                :09820636335
       Vijaya Chauhan, Mumbai                  :09820236267
       Geo Jose / Hussain Master, Kerala       :9446000701/ 9445375379
       Jacob Vadkanchari, Kerala               :09495925799
       Philip Mathew, Kerala                   :09446456616
       Chinmay Mishra / Amulya Nidhi, Indore :09893278855 / 09425311547
       Sarvodaya Press Service, Indore  :0731 – 24010183 (1:30 pm to 6:00
pm)
       Rakesh Diwan & Rolly Shivhare, Bhopal : 09424467604 / 09425466461
       Manish Manke, Girish Sharma, Manmad : 09822190078
       Shyam Patil, Dhule                     :02562-246419 & 09423496020
       Sister Celia / Clifton D Rozario, Bangalore: 09945716052 / 09448135832
       Debjit Dutta, Kolkata                       :09433830031
       Ramakrishnan Raju, Hyderabad                  :09866887299
       Gabriele Dietrich, Madurai                    :09442511292
       Prafulla Samantara,Orissa                     :09437259005
       Arundhati Dhuru, Lucknow                      :09415022772
       Swati Desai / Rohit Prajapati, Gujarat    :094295561613 / 02652413840
       Madhuresh, NAPM                           :09818905316 / 011 – 24374535
       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:

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)