From Organization to Peoples Movement

by Thomas John, Companionship Facilitator

Unlike in the US and other developed countries, campaigns seeking change through institutional channels by means of advocacy and lobbying are less effective in Asian nations and possibly other countries in Africa and Latin America. Some activists may organize such campaigns with a sense of self gratification, but they produce no results as far as the poor is concerned.

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Facilitator Thomas John

The Powerlessness of the Poor

The poor are not even heard. In India, they are powerless to achieve change unless they are organized into mass movements and take to extra-institutional means such as strikes, blockades, sit-ins, picketing, and other acts of civil disobedience. With neo-liberal rules and regulations based on a free market value system, the state’s role has become one of enhancing an investor-friendly climate and of protecting the financiers at the expense of one’s own citizens. These radical modes of protest tend to invite therefore the attention and wrath of law enforcement agencies,which often results in violent repression and even loss of lives. Yet, they remain few of the viable options that the poor have to articulate their aspirations.

Limitations of Non-Profits

Indian non-profit organizations can work only within their own organizational constraints and governmental controls, which restricts the scope of their involvement and their ability to meet the struggles and aspirations of the poor. The government has strict regulations and conditions regarding the support a particular organization may receive from outside its national boundaries, especially when the sponsor is a faith based initiative. Given such a reality, non-profit organizations are left with little options but to frame their policies according to the terms and conditions of the government, which need not accommodate the real yearnings and aspirations of the poor. This makes their activities and involvement limited and less effective.

Chethana's role

In such a context, it is important politically and strategically that Chethana and its constituting organizations work with and express their solidarity with people’s movements. This would more effectively make it possible to articulate the aspirations and struggles of the poor with little institutional constraints and more extra-institutional strategic options. The voice of the poor is hereby made heard and their case is put in front of the government.

Chethana held recently two Regional conferences, one in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh and the other in Trichi, Tamil Nadu. These were intended to bring together people around core issues such as land and livelihood rights, and the sustainability of agriculture, and mobilize them into movements for the respective areas of the constituting groups. Both the regional meetings ended with the formation of regional coordinating forums of People’s Movements. Rev. Y. David, a pioneer in the Social Action circles in India, emphasized that today, even an apparently local issue need to be addressed from a global perspective, using integrated strategies and building broader alliances.

The case study of Monsanto

The role of multinational corporations in Agriculture has become a major concern with Monsanto as the concrete face of the seed monopoly. Started with the so called green revolution, this process of “biopiracy”- depriving Indian farmers of their diverse crops and seed varieties- has now completed its course with seed companies like Monsanto monopolizing the seed market.

Determination to preserve traditional seeds..
	versus Monsanto seeds

In one of the remote villages in Tamil Nadu, for example, there is total dependence of the farmers on Monsanto seeds, particularly corn seeds. Although these seeds are claimed to be hybrid, farmers are suspicious of such claims. They use them when growing corn not for human consumption but to be sold to companies for the production of animal feed.

The farmers, however, have not yet started asking questions regarding their own food security, let alone their food sovereignty. At this point of time, they are more concerned about making agriculture a break even proposition.

Celebrating the success of a Peoples Movement

The Trichi meeting ended with congratulations for and celebrations with the Arunthathiar Coordinating Forum for effectively obtaining, through their persistent struggle over a period of 30 years, the recognition of the government as a Dalit caste group needing special affirmative action.

Chethana can take credit for supporting this movement through these years of their struggles. Arunthathiars are one of the lowest caste groups among the Daitls - the untouchables.

You can read about the Arunthathiars' achievements and their story in an online article of India's national Newspaper "The Hindu", called Bill providing reservation for Arunthathiyars adopted.

News Bits from Sacramento JH

by Wilma White, Sacramento JH Sovereignty Volunteer,

Since the international gathering in Orange, California last July, our JH Committee has been steadily working on ways to continue to support the work of our partners in South India.

Water

It all began with an idea in 2007 at a joint meeting with Jacob-Chethana Coordinator, Lionel Derenoncourt, and Alexa Smith to look for a parallel project. That idea found us focused on how multi-national corporations have started bottling plant operations at the expense of many communities in South India. Would something like that be happening in the United States?

We didn’t have to look too long or far since the Nestle’ Corporation had already begun building a water bottling plant in a small mountain community near the Shasta River, North of Sacramento. Members of our JH Committee were soon talking and meeting with a group in that area who were taking legal steps to stop the Nestle’ operation. The community was divided pro and con since Nestle’ promised the community, which had once been a thriving logging town, their operation would bring needed jobs and build their lagging economy, even though history does not support their claims.

To discuss mutual water issues affecting people’s lives in both countries, JH Companionship Facilitator, Thomas John, as well as Chethana core team members, Mr. S. Shivaprakasam and M. Muthusamy, joined in July 2008 Garry Cox, who at the time served as the Chair of our Joining Hands Against Hunger Committee and met the people in McCloud. The group in McCloud felt a kinship with our South India brothers and sisters as they discussed their common issues.

It was not long before this matter came before the Lieutenant Governor of California in the Fall of 2008 requesting Nestle’ Corporation to submit their written plans to his office for review. At this point in time Nestle’ is not bottling water in McCloud, California.

Bamboo

Early 2008 Wilma White along with Thomas John and his wife Betty had visited the”HUMUS” organization in Kottarakara in the state of Kerala. We met Mr. Madhu Narayanan, the chief functionary of the traditional bamboo workers and had an opportunity to purchase some of the artisans’ works. Out of that visit came the idea of trying to find a way to have bamboo items shipped to the US. It took almost one year before we were able to receive a shipment of bamboo products and sell it at our annual Traditional Gifts Faire which is held during the Christmas Season throughout the churches of Sacramento Presbytery. Jeanne and Easton Long have spearheaded this project taking the bamboo products to our Presbytery Meetings where all the churches gather for their quarterly meetings.

The Dalits

The Dalit story continues to be told and retold through the use of video, photos, and personal presentations to Presbyterian Women’s Associations, Mission Committees, Youth Groups, Mariner’s Groups (older adults), and even a Women’s Bible Study Group in one of the Lutheran Churches.

The Presbytery's JH Committee is currently seeking candidates to travel to South India to visit our Partners in the Dalit villages, hear their stories, and look for ways to continue to strengthen our Partnership.

Joining Hands in the US through the Presbytery of Sacramento

If your church or group would like to learn more about Presbyterian Hunger Programs work in India please contact Joining Hands Sacramento, garrycox@westminsac.org and we will be happy to arrange a slide presentation and discussion on this important mission project. You may also call Garry Cox at 916-442-8939. Garry is the Associate Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the current chair of the Mission Council at the Sacramento Presbytery.