Joining Hands Against Hunger
NEWSLETTER
Third Edition, June 2007

South India

Celebrating Togetherness

The annual get-together of Chethana is an occasion when the members celebrate their togetherness, strike out new paths, work towards greater clarity in perspective and take new resolutions.

This year's get-together, which was held from May 7 to 9, 2007, in YMCA Campsite, Aluva, Kerala, was made very special by the presence of a delegation from the Sri Lanka Joining Hands Network - Prajabhilash led by their Joining Hands Companionship Facilitator, Chenoa Stock (read their trip report).

by Thomas John

Links:

Profile JH partner  network Chetana

Website Chethana network

Website JH Sacramento

Profile JH Companionship Facilitator  Thomas John

Political Economy of India and People's Movements


The theme for the get-together was "Political Economy of India and People's Movements". The get-together was enlivened by cultural programs, presentations on the main theme, workshops and exposure to alternative livelihood initiatives in the area.

Inaugurating the Event - A cultural presentation

The get-together expressed its main concerns in relation to the focus issues of 'Land and Water and Natural Resource Based Livelihoods' - such as Special Economic Zones, Coastal Zone Regulations, Foreign Direct Investment in Retail industry ( entry of Wallmart and Monsanto), Contract Farming, and other forms of alienation of the basic communities from Land and Water.

Dr. Rajan Verghese made the theme presentation:

"A CRITIQUE OF THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF NEO-LIBERALISM:

The Real State of the Indian Economy".

A Session in Progress

In his presentation, he brought home the fact that "the impressive growth rate of GDP (9.2%) conceals the growth of the agriculture sector (2.7%) which actually supports 58% of the Indian population. The service sector – led GDP growth process has created income inequalities in the economy. The rural – urban divide in India is widening and the level of rural distress is higher than on the eve of liberalization. The corporate sector is amassing huge profits due to a variety of fiscal concessions given by the Govt. The entry of foreign capital in several strategic sectors not only endangers India's sovereignty but also increases regional inequalities in the country.

Lighting the Fire of Resistance

The problems of poverty and unemployment have deepened to terrible levels since the onset of the new economic policies. Indeed if one takes rural India and urban India as two separate countries, then inequalities have widened in the last decade-and-a-half under the neo liberal regime in India. The fight against these policies must be intensified and the mobilization of the people with help of the left democratic forces and like-minded movements is the need of the hour."

To tread the path

of Mahatma Gandhi,

..which was illuminated

by the light of Christ.

A Priestly Vow

To the left is the emblem of Sevashram-Monastery of service painted on glass, It encapsulates the priestly vow to tread the path of Mahatma Ghandi, which was illuminated by the light of Christ.

Sevashram is one of the organizations visited as part of an exposure program. Led by the Catholic Father Rev. Fr. Mampilly, the Monastery has many model alternative livelihood programs. It does not receive any foreign funds, and is committed to an organic way of life in production, value addition as well as marketing. All people being equal stakeholders, there exist no producer, seller or consumer.

The Monastery works with "Organic Fraternities".

Joining Hands in the US

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.

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