File Hajuchi

My article in DHARITREE, Bilupti pathare Godhan

Navnirman Samiti/ YUVA BHARAT extended his support to Irom Sharmila’s Fast and demanded Repeal AFSPA- Save Democracy.

Revolutionary organization Navnirman Samiti, YUVA BHARAT extended his support to Irom Sharmila’s fast, non-violence struggle and performed demonstration and fasting at Gandhi Marg, PMG square Bhubaneswar on the issue of “Repeal AFSPA-Save democracy”. On 5^th November 2011, on the occasion of 11 year completion of iron lady Irom Sharmila Chanu’s fasting against anti-human, anti-democracy, draconian act AFSPA, more than 100 people under the banner of NAVNIRMAN SAMITI/ YUVA BHARAT marched from  master canteen square to PMG square with placards and slogans like “Long live Irom Sharmila, Repeal AFSPA-Save Democracy etc. Bichitra Biswal, Ananta Samant, Balaram Sethy, Sesadev Nanda, Dipak Ranjan Swain and Arup Parida kept fasting.

As everybody know that Irom Sharmila Chanu (born March 14, 1972), also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" or "Menghoubi" ("the fair one") is a civil rights activist, social activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur. Since 5 November 2000, she has been on hunger strike to demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 (AFSPA), which she blames for violence in Manipur and other parts of India's northeast. Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been called "the world's longest hunger striker". Now in the era of violence, Sharmila has become a lamp house of peaceful protest. She has taken Gandhi’s nonviolence to a distinctive height.

On this occasion a demonstration meeting was organized and Mr. Sesadev Nanda facilitated the meeting. Mr. Bichitra Biswal and Balaram Sethy shared their views and slammed central government on the issue of AFSPA and democracy. A pseudo democracy is going on at the name of democracy. The situation is so harsh in Manipur that women demonstrated nakedly in front of Army office. Youths are demolishing themselves with fire. This draconian act is creating more insurgencies in Manipur. So it should be repealed and democracy should be saved in real sense. Mr. Sudipto from institute of physics said that this act is black act and it blames the whole nation. This act should be repealed for betterment of the country. Mr. Manoj Jena of “Human rights front” participated in the demonstration and said, the human rights violation in Manipur has crossed all the limits. Most severe incidents are happening against human rights in Manipur. So civil society could not be a silent observer any more. All the participants and other persons walking by gave their coloured palm mark on a banner, written as Repeal AFSPA-Save democracy.    

Article on Niyamgiri and FRA in DHARITREE

http://www.dharitri.com/211011/story13.asp

My story published in DHARITREE, Chhutidina on 28th August

Find the below link

http://www.dharitri.com/chhutidina/p3.htm

My poem Published in Dharitree Chhutidina

My story Published in SAMBAD

My article in DHARITREE: Galuanka sisu adhikar Prabachan

Find the below link and attached photo.

http://www.dharitri.com/260711/story16.asp

My article in Dharitree, Nyaya na Sarakari Ichhara Hukum

Article on Anti-posco movement in DHARITREE.

Article on anti Posco movement in DHARITREE. http://www.dharitri.com/290611/story15.asp

Artilce in DHARITREE, Sankatare Sarpanch Babu

My story published in Dharitree, Chhutidina

Farmers storm Jagatsinghpur Collectorate- News the HINDU

Farmers storm Jagatsinghpur Collectorate

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/24/stories/2010122458810300.htm

BHUBANESWAR: The issue of collective resentment over the State government's recently-announced package with regards to large-scale crop loss boiled over on Thursday when hundreds of farmers locked up six gates of Jagatsinghpur district Collectorate for six hours.

Braving the early chilly weather, about 700 farmers started to assemble around Jagatsinghpur Collectorate from the morning. Just before the opening of the district offices, the farmers staged a sit-in in front of the gates.

Employees of the Collectorate could not breach the farmers' barricade and kept on waiting. On being informed, the additional district magistrate apparently came running to resolve the issue, but the agitated farmers did not pay any heed to him.

Stick to demand

They stuck to their demand that district Collector must sit across the table and explain as to why Jagatsinghpur did not figure in the list of districts where large-scale crop loss was recorded.

Six-hours of resistance at the gates of the district collectorate culminated in a public meeting where farmers demanded a compensation of Rs. 20,000 per acre for the crop loss caused by incessant rain during the first fortnight of December.

Akshay Kumar, State convenor of Nabanirman Krushak Sangathan, said crop loss in different blocks of the district where farmers were on cloud nine anticipating bumper crop was huge. “District administration has committed a criminal act by striking off farmers from the list of beneficiaries,” convenor of the farmers organisation said.

Farmers resolved to step up agitation the administration failed to amend its mistake and do a fair assessment of crop loss in the district. They demanded all farm loans should be waived with immediate effect.

This was not the first time when a farmer organisation took to the street over the issue. In western Orissa districts, several farmer organisations on Wednesday lashed out at the Naveen Patnaik for overlooking the plights of farmers.

National conference on peace and social harmony report

30^th & 31^st Jan 2010, Bhubaneswar

BACKGROUND:

The Kandhamal violence has been an eye opener for all of us in Odisha who are working for the cause of an inclusive society with space for dissent, dignity and appreciation for different faiths and beliefs. In this context we face a grave challenge to realize the fact that communalization and polarization has gone beyond the political realm and has penetrated to our very psyche where it is increasingly becoming difficult to think about social harmony in a multicultural, multiethnic and multireligious society like ours. Terrorism in this concern has stereotyped certain community and the role of media and the political leadership has not been very much encouraging. Furthermore emerging paradigms in development process induced by liberalization and globalization has made this process more complex making the oppressed and depressed most vulnerable invading their  most intimate spaces. This has not only threatened the very existence of certain communities but also gradually mainstreaming Naxalite and Maoist violence. The saddest part is that our children are growing up in an atmosphere of increasing violence and intolerance which will be seriously impeding the prospect of social harmony in future.

OBJECTIVE:

The idea of the National Convention on Peace and Social Harmony in the above backdrop is an attempt to address the issue of peace and harmony in general and the following issues in particular.

1. The Implementation of Peace and secular education in School Curriculum.
2. The Role of Media in Promotion of non-violence peace & social harmony.
3. Religious and Political Leaders in Promoting Peace and Social Harmony

VENUE:

·   National Conference on Peace and Social Harmony on 30^th Jan 2010 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar

·   Students Convention on Peace Education on 31^st Jan 2010 at Utkal Mandap, Bhubaneswar.

INAUGURAL SESSION: At the outset Dr. Bhagbanprakash(Chairman, GSSM) Welcomed all the delegated on and off the dais and request His Excellency Hon’ble Governor of Odisha Shri Murlidhar Chandrakanta Bhandare to inaugurate the conference  by lighting the lamp and offering floral tribute to the father of the nation. After the inauguration the Chief Guest Hon’ble Governor delivered his speech highlighting the need for a sustained and coherent approach in peace building efforts not only at grass root level but addressing the issue at academic level taking in to consideration the need and necessity of students in schools and colleges in general and universities in particular. His Excellency lauded the effort of Gandhi Shanti Sadbhabana Mancha in this regard in associating school and college children in peace and social harmony cause.  He was of the opinion that the Gandhian way of peace and social harmony through “Ahimsa” is the only alternative in the age of nuclear weapon. He condemned communalism and fundamentalism as major causes of social disharmony and tension.

After his inaugural speech His Excellency inaugurated the souvenir of the conference on the theme of peace and social harmony. Prof. M.Q Khan (Working Chairman, GSSM) briefed about the souvenir and the conference in terms of the stupendous effort that was invested in little time to materialize the programme.

Shri Akshya Kumar thereafter briefed about the core objectives of the National Conference on Peace and Social Harmony and shared in nutshell the Peace process after the Kandhamal violence. He also briefed about the future activity plan relating to introduction peace and harmony values in school curriculum.

Addressing the gathering Fr. Pakiam T. Samuel (Secy. Interfaith Coalition for Peace, New Delhi) expressed his deep gratitude over the fact that through this conference people from different faiths and beliefs could sit together and discuss regarding the prospect of peace and social harmony in the present context. He appreciated the effort of the Mancha in bringing together teachers and students under this platform for promoting the cause of peace and social harmony. His assured his solemn support for this cause on behalf of Interfaith Coalition of Peace, New Delhi.

Reiterating his trust for a multi cultural society Dr. Zafar Mahmood(President, Interfaith Coalition for Peace, New Delhi) advocated the essential unity of all faiths and religions. He not only praised the tolerant tradition of our country but also emphasized the need for protecting the cultural and spiritual ethos of a multicultural society that promotes appreciation and acceptance. Quoting from both Hindu and Islam scriptures he sermoned that we the mortal are the one who have the responsibility bestowed by God to protect the universal fellow felling and brotherhood.

Justice Choudhary Pratap K. Mishra highlighted on the policies and functioning of the executive and its impact on peace and social harmony. He stressed the fact that the way political leadership and executive plays its role directly affects the people and decides the nature of social harmony. He also advocated that, due to ignorance, unconsciousness and financial problem general public become unable to achieve justice.

Swami Agnivesh highlighted the fact God is one but we worship Him in different ways and the true spirit of religion is beyond all kind of ritualism. Further each and everybody on earth should be accepted as equal irrespective of religion, gender, race, caste and class, the He condemned all the violence in the name of religion whether the case 1984 Sikh riot, demolition of Babri Masque, Gujurat violence, burning of Grahm stein and his two sons or Kandhmal riot  for that matter.

At 10.45 am Mrs. Pravasini sang a “Harmony Song” in Oriya and highlighted essence of non –violence through her song.

At 10.55 am Mr. Moulana Motigunda was invited to the dais. He highlighted some of the lessons from the “Holy Koran” which discuss and prioritizes maintenance peace and social harmony in the society. He also informed that there is no place for riot and violence in the “Koran”.

Thematic Session:- 1   (11.00 Am. to 12.30 Pm.)

(IMPLEMENTATION OF PEACE AND SOCIAL HARMONY VALUES IN SCHOOL CURRICULUM)

Chair: Swami Agnivesh (Eminent Social Activist)

Session Moderator: Prof. M.Q. Khan (Ex- Vice-chancellor Berhampure University)

Distinguished Panelist:

• Dr. Ramji Singh(Former VC. Shantiniketan University)
• Rev. Fr. Pakiam T. Samuel(Secy. Interfaith Coalition for Peace)
• Rupali Bhanot(Interfaith Coalition for Peace, New Delhi)
• Aryabhusan Bharadwaj(Veteran Gandhian Leader & Economist)
• Shri Satyajit Mohanty,IPS.(Director Biju Patnaik State Police Academy & IG. Of Police)
• Prof. D.K. Samantaraya(Ex. Registrar, Utkal University)
• Damayanti Devi(Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial trust , Gouhati)
•  Shri Aditya Pattanaik(Secy. ACM & Director Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital)

The thematic session one started at 11.15am and due to certain urgent engagement the IG of police Mr. Satyajit Mohanty was invited first to share his presentation on the theme. He started his speech with a question i.e., “why violence occurs?” He discussed about the social capital and its importance in the society. He gave an example about his activities when he was in Rourkela police district. He gave an exposure visit to school children (Class-VIII-class-XII) to the police station with a view to aware the student about the police activities and the social values. He told that generally people have lot of misconception regarding police and their activities. Therefore, people are hesitating to go police station and support police. He further told that when those students will come to the mainstream of the society then the social harmony can be maintained in the Rourkela police district. He also presented a documentary film about the exposure visit of the students to the police station and their question to the police. Basically he talked about the increasing pressure that police is facing to deliver and urged public to help police in making them sensitive and approachable to people’s causes and concerns.

At 11.45 am, veteran Sarvodaya leader and the former vice chancellor of Shantiniketan University delivered on the vexed theme. He advocated that education is the last hope of the humanity. Education can play an important role in the preventing riots. For peace and social harmony education has been getting prime importance from the time immemorial. He further told that due to structural inconsistencies education system in India it is unable to tackle and prevent the social disharmony. He further defined education as means of knowledge and wisdom. Therefore, the education system demands some changes which can give moral values to the students. Then he tried to define religion in terms of universal ethics, love and truth. He further recommended that like scout and NCC there should be a Shanti (Peace) brigade in each and every school.

After that, at 12.10 pm, Mrs Rupali Bhanot(ICP, New Delhi) was invited to the dais. She started her speech from the meaning of teacher and teachership. She highlighted the meaning of peace. She further stated that if social value will be in the syllabus but the moral value will not develop then teaching social values in schools will be valueless. Therefore, parents and teachers should take the role and responsibility to develop and practice moral values among themselves. She further shared that practice of ethics is needed and it should be continuous process. Then she told that Sramadan (Physical labour) and family values are the best way of practicing ethics. 

At 12.30pm Mr. D. K. Samatray was invited to the dais. He highlighted on two things; one is building personality and character and second is teaching the child the way she/he wants to grow. Then he emphasizes on the value base education.

 Dr. Aryabhusan Bharadwaj delivered his speech from the popular couplet “health is wealth”. He told that if health will not be good then how mind can not be healthy. If mind will not be healthy and therefore one cannot be in peace. Material things are not enough for the peace; mind should be regulated for mental stability. Attitude should be driven towards peace. Peace should come from inside not from outside.

Miss Damayanti Devi highlighted about the problem alcoholism and its contribution to social disharmony and unrest. how Govt. encourage for it. She told that substance is another major factor for the violence. Now there is license for the opening the liquor shops in the side of road. She also criticized the activities of the government. Selling alcohol in one hand and constructing school in other hand is a really pathetic situation of the country.

At 1.10 pm, Mr. Pattanaik was invited for the speech. He started his speech from defining attitude. He told that people should do what they say. People are telling something but they are doing different which is creating social disharmony. He gave some reason for disharmony. He further told that people those suppose to keep harmony in the society they have forgotten their roles and responsibilities. He was of the view that Kandhamal issue arose because of disparity, inequality and poverty not because of communalism.

At the end of the session Mr. Prasant Sahoo gave the vote of thanks and Shri Madhusudan Das song enthralled the audience by singing “jai Jagat” song.

Thematic Session : 2 (12.45pm. to 2pm.)

 (THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN PROMOTION OF PEACE AND SOCIAL HARMONY)

Chair: Shri Ravi Das( Senior journalist, Editor, Ama Rajdhani)

Session Moderator: Shri Soumya Ranjan Pattanaik (Editor, The Sambad)

Distinguished Panelist:

• Dr. Zafar Mahmood(President, Interfaith Coalition for Peace)
• Shri Prafulla Das(Senior journalist, The Hindu)
•  

Senior Journalist Mr. Prafulla Dash(The Hindu) started his speech with  starting from Kandhamal issue. He shared his concern regarding the quality of coverage that news paper in vernacular language gave to the Kandhamal violence. He emphasized on the changing attitude of the reporters. Therefore, he told that media should criticize themselves to maintain their dignity and credibility. As to him reporters don’t go to the risk area like communal violence, Maoist violence etc. therefore, they become unable to bring the truth in front of the public.

Then 2.05 pm Editor Mr. Soumya Ranjan Pattanaik (Editor, The Sambad) made his deliberation on the role of media in keeping peace and harmony in the society. He highlighted that media should be independent, he also shared the reasons for failure of media to be independent in the face of huge competition among media houses in terms of business. He further highlighted that media is compelled to support one side but they should be open in nature that they are supporting a set of group or set of people but the social harmony and peace of the society should not be compromised.

Summarizing the session Mr. Soumya Ranjan Pattanaik concluded that the basic principle of media should not be violated. He was of the view that the media should not forget that their each and every activity is to help the poorest of the poor. Media need to be criticized and they accountable to the people for each act of their omission and commission. Vibrant public opinion can help the media in functioning in a better way and making the prospect of peace and harmony in the society.

Thematic Session: 3   (2.45 Pm. to 4.20 Pm.)

(ROLE OF RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL LEADERS IN PROMOTING PEACE AND SOCIAL HARMONY)

Chair: Dr. Syed Jafar Mahmood (President, Interfaith Coalition for Peace)

Session Moderator:  Shri Sandeep Pandey (Convener NAPM, Ramon Magasayse Awardee)

Distinguished Panelist:

• Swami Agnivesh(Eminent Social Activist)
• Prof. Jagmohan Singh(President, Third Freedom Movement)
• Prof. Dr. M.D. Thomas(Editor, Fellowship)
• Feroz Mithiborwala(Ex- Convener Yuva Bharat)
• Dr Banawarilal Sharma
• Prof. Ram puniyani

Swami Agnivesh began the session by defining religion in a broader perspective. He told that religion means truth and truth is God, love is God and justice is God. He further advocated that people should have helping desire for the distressed with a selfless interest. And this is the true essence of religion. In this regard there is no difference whatsoever among all the organized region of the world. He further told that freedom is religion (freedom of religion) and people should feel free to accept any religion. He gave the example of Dr. Graham Stein’s wife: how she had forgiven the killer of her husband and two sons. He told that humanity should be of beyond religion and spirituality

Prof. M. D. Thomas highlighted that opportunistic use religious and politics bring disharmony in the society and how a person losses the freedom by adhering to the false notion propagated by so-called religious and political leaders. The politicians and religious leaders has been mostly the cause for violence not social harmony. They are aggravating the situations for their self interest. He further spoke that a good person leads life peacefully and let other to lead life. Therefore he suggested that its our moral responsibility to take care of the growing need for social cohesion and harmony.

 Dr.Jagmohan Singh highlighted the importance of Padayatra of Mahatma Gandhi for freedom. He told that people will be truly aware about their duties “Sadvabana” will built among the people. He told that due to privatization of land during the time of East India Company, the problem poverty became more prominent in the country and a large mass became fall into the poverty. During his speech he also highlighted that at the time of British rule who were really working for freedom they are nowhere in the politics. Therefore, the political system is so corrupted. He suggested that youth should come forward with good moral values and should participate in politics. As per him people consciousness is the prime weapon to bring peace.

At 4.10 pm, Professor Ram Punyani was invited to the dais and gave his speech. He was of the view that violence which is taking place in the name of religion has absolutely no relation with religion. He further emphasized that religion is morality and identity. Every religion has a greater role in building cultural identity of the country and moral values among the people.

At 4.30 pm, Dr. Zafar Mahmood was invited to the dais. He highlighted that the institutional practices are much more important than philosophy. Therefore all institutions which are basically religious in nature have an added responsibility to practice and propagate religiosity rather than organized region. He further told that everyone should have the right to religion and should never be abstain from it. Its part of a vibrant democratic process and a matter of self respect that there is freedom of religion in true sense .

Then, at 4.40 pm, Mr. Feroz Mithiborwala came to dais and put forth his views. He highlighted that politics of terror replaced the politics of communal violence. He criticized the liberalaisation, privatization and globalization as processes associated with international capitalism which has created lot of disharmony in the present society, especially with the marginalized and minority communities. Highlighting the theory of Clashes of civilization he argued that the present international terrorism is conspiracy against particular community creating polarization and stereotype. He further told that there is no word like international terror and was of the view that the Islamic phobia is breaking the unity of the nation.  In the light of 26/11 terror attack in India he warned that the popular perception about terrorism need to be thoroughly contested in the light of new conspiracy theory.

At 5.00 pm, Dr. Banwarilal Ram Sharma gave his speech. He highlighted the human value and dignity.  He further emphasized that if someone have freedom for all why not freedom for region and told that religion is not at crisis, people are in the crisis. He also advocated about the basic issues like poverty and underdevelopment as the simmering causes of social disharmony and conflict. Then he emphasized about the social disintegration and its causes and consequences.

Concluding Session: 4.30Pm. to 6 Pm.

(STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN)

Chair: Sandeep Pandey( Convener NAPM, Ramon Magasayse Awardee)

Session Moderator: Dr. Bhagbanprakash( Chairman, Gandhi Shanti Sadbhabana Mancha)

Plenary Speakers:

• Manas Ranjan(Action Aid)
• Ananta  Charan Sahoo(Advisor, All Utkal Primary Teachers Federation)
• Er. Dayanidhi Sahoo( Senior Social Activist)
• Ranadhish Choudhary(Secy. We- The Forum for Human Unity)
• Akshya Kumar(Convener, Gandhi Shanti Sadbhabana Mancha)

After that the three thematic sessions were completed and the concluding session started at 5.30 pm on strategy and action plan Mr. Manas Ranjan gave the brief summary about whole three thematic sessions. He primarily focused upon the growing saffronaisation of education in the country in general and odisha in particular. Highlighting the need for secular education and appreciation for different faiths and beliefs he stressed the importance of efforts like this conference to come out with something concrete that would contribute towards peace education in Odisha.

At 5.15pm Dr. Bhagaban Prakash came to the dais and highlighted about learning i.e., learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be. Then he brought a comparison among the religious school and govt. school with relation to peace and social harmony. As per his view education is an alternative to media. He was of the opinion that religion should be free from rituals and fundamentalism. After that he told that the whole session will be discussed on Strategic planning, strategy implementation and strategy assessment of the gaps.

At 5.45 pm Mr. Anata Charan Sahu came to the dais and told that teacher from each level should unite and aware students in the line of multiculturalism and appreciation of faiths and beliefs so that future will invite peace and social harmony. He also advocated that the teachers should be the torch bearers and should give moral values in the school by practicing first.

At 6.00 pm Dr. Nivedita Mohanty was invited to the dais and she emphasized on the power of love. She told that if society is running that because of power of love and its should be the effort of all to inculcate the values of love and fellow felling among our students.

At 6.00 pm Mr. Santosh Sahu came to the dais and told that Kandhamal issue occurred because of family disharmony, school disharmony, village disharmony and societal disharmony. The moral value of great man could not reach the student. He suggested that building ethical values among the student should be the prime strategy to bring social harmony and peace in the society.

After that at 6.20 pm Mr. Choudhary was invited to the dais and he highlighted that India is famous for its unity in diversity. Vested political and religion interests are the prime reason for the violence, which need to be addressed. He emphasized on the people right and told that each and every human is born free and has the right to be equal. So the basic entitlements should be fulfilled which will promote the basic issues of unrest among the most marginalized people.

After that Engineer Mr. Dayanidhi Sahu emphasized that there are four factors for the violence which are disturbance, imbalance, prejudice and policy paradigm shift. He suggested that social harmony should be based on Gandhian values and Socio-economic justice. Education in this regard is instrumental for such a change.Education therefore should mean integrated development of body, mind and soul. An uniform curriculum in school would go a long way in this concerned.

The session ended with a brief reflection by Akshya Kumar on the national conference on peace and social harmony. He also gave an outline of the plans and programmes of the follow up action planned in the coming days.

The formal programme came to end with summarizing and vote of thanks by Dr. Bhagbanprakash.

STUDENTS CONVENTION

31^st Jan 2010, Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar

Students from across the state gathered at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar to get inculcated with the value of peace and social harmony on 31^st Jan 2010. A galaxy of eminent personalities like: Fr. P.T. Samuel(Inauguration), Swami Agnivesh, Prof. Dr. jagmohan Singh, Sandeep Pandey(Chair), Swami Sibachidananda, Swami Sibachidananda, Prof. ram puniyani, Justice Choudhary, Sister Lily, Miss Awala(Manipur), Dipali Bhanot, Father Nitya Sharma, Mr. Asit, Mr. Zilani, Major Ebrahim, S.S. Akhtar, Feroz Mithubalwala, Shatriji, Dr Bhagbanprakash, Aryabhusan Bharadwaj, Jugal kishore shastri, A.V.Swami, Aditya Pattanaik, Ziauddin Mahmood addressed the students on the theme of peace and social harmony in a simple, lucid and interactive way.

A complete interaction session was undertaken after the distinguished panelist delivered their speech. The students questioned the distinguished on different issues relating to peace and social harmony. Some students also asked some personal query on different aspect related to education to the guests.

The programme started with Akshya Kumar welcoming all the distinguished guests and students from all schools and colleges about the purpose of the convention.  The convention proceeded with Presentation from students from different schools and institutions in music, dance and dialogue, instrumentals to promote unity, integrity, peace and social harmony. The students also displayed the art creations prepared by them on the theme of peace and social harmony. The venue was enthralled with the joy and slogans of the 2,500 students from different schools and colleges. The following schools and institutions participated in the programme.

Stewart School, Bhubaneswar, Stewart School, Cuttack, KISS, Bhubaneswar,DAV Public school Unit-8, ,DAV Public school,CS Pur, Sayeed Seminary, Cuttack, New Stewart School Cuttack, Thomshon Women Training , Cuttack, Burkely Girls High School, Cuttack, Bhakta Madhu Sikhya Kendra, Cuttack, Vivekanda Sikhya Kenda, Kapilaprasad, Sraswati Bidya Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, Vivekananda High school S Vihar,Bhubaneswar,  Sivananda Centenary Boys High School, Khandagiri, Aurobindo Integral School, Bhubaneswar, Mother Public School Unit-1, Bhubaneswar, NSS & NCC cadres of Utkal University, Students and teachers from Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khurda and Bhadrakh,

At the end of the programme certificate and mementos were distributed as a mark of participation in the debate and drawing competitions. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Shri Aditya pattanaik.

Akshya Kumar

Convener,

Gandhi Shanti Sadbhabana Mncha

ANTI-POSCO MOVEMENT – A SATYAGRAHA

Anti-POSCO Movement – A Satyagraha

A way to a system of harmony

Today, in the whole world, the system of old age capitalism and neo-imperialism stands on the bedrock of temptation, fear and violence. Those, who are against this system and try to bring a revolutionary change in it; they also follow the same track. This is the major tragedy in all the revolutionary struggles because the fundamental theory based on negative elements is equal on both sides. So, the problem is turning into critical day by day instead of solution.

In this respect, anti-POSCO Movement continuing in Orissa by Navnirman Samiti (YUVA BHARAT)  is a constructive movement. It teaches the values of unselfishness fearlessness and non-violence (love) instead of temptation, terror and violence respectively. We consider, since there is a harmonious continuous relationship between men, society and ecology; there will be a enormous loss of the individual by the destruction of the society, ecology and its culture. So, we are leading the anti-POSCO Movement in preparing a patriotic, nature loving cultural peoples consciousness in the objective of uprooting POSCO out of this Indian soil to protect the freedom as well as the sovereignty of our mother India  and to close  the chapter of the exploitation of the society, ecology and culture. It is not only temptation propelled narrowed anti-displacement movement, but it is a cultural value based movement in the wider sense. It educates the people to be fearless and truthfulness as a result the opponents as well as the society is influenced by these values.

This movement continues to apply the way of love and (non-violence) to change the heart of the opponents instead of hate and violence through service, sacrifice and self suffering. For which after much affliction like beating, assault from opponents, we never react for it. Because, they may be our opponents having different views; but they are our brothers and sisters being integral part of us. Any ill will towards our opponents will harm ourselves, it is our firm conviction. Therefore, it is an ideological stand for us not putting FIR at police station. Because, taking the help from that state run institution, such that police and court that strengthens the capitalist imperialist fascist system is to recognize the system based on fear, terror exploitation and violence. So, not frightening the opponent either through state violence or through any kind of violence sticking to the principle of truthfulness, winning the heart by self-suffering and service to protect the harmony of ecology and culture and at last to save the freedom of the Nation is our basic objective. For that, during last two years of people’s movement, we have accepted the assault, inconveniences, beatings as blessing for us to change the opponents opinions.

Here, ‘means’ is more important than the ‘ends’. We have firm conviction that if we stick to “means”, ‘ends’ will be achieved in its our way. For us ‘ends’ is the change of the system. Anti-POSCO Movement is an issue of instrument before us. If the seed of the values of right means are sown, automatically It will give the fruit of the change in the system of imperialism to bring a system of harmony. Otherwise, the negative means may change the present system of imperialism by inviting a new form of imperialism or fascism, which is more dangerous than the present one? So, let us conclude here that right means will lead the right ends.

The brief report regarding the anti-posco movement

In the past, at the beginning of the seventeenth century, the East India Company of England came to the soil of India for the purpose of business. But they ruled over us 190 years with the cut throat loot of our wealth. Many revolutionary youths became the martyrs to liberate Mother India from the bondage of slavery. Our mother India got her political independence by the dedication of Baji Rout, Laxman Nayak, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Uddam Singh, Chandra Sekhar Azhad, Netaji, Rani Laxmi Bai, Tilak, Gopabandhu and Gandhiji etc. But within more than half century of independence passed, again our independence is in danger. The soil of India is under the attack of foreign conspiracy. Again a multinational company named as POSCO (Pohang Steel Company) is coming to Indian soil in the name of development and LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization). Under the agreement of WTO as the East India Company had ruled in the name of civilization. POSCO is the face of destruction, slavery and exploitation. The negative Impact of POSCO as follows :-

1.      For the first time after the independence of India, POSCO has been given the permission to construct its private port. As in the seventeenth century East India Company was given three private village (Kothi) by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and captured and ruled all over the country. Again POSCO is coming into India with all the conspiracy and strategic planning to root out our political independence by bringing the army, arms and ammunitions through its private port in the direction of England and America under the umbrella of WTO. (World Trade organization). Bank of New York is the largest share holder of POSCO Company, so this presumption is not baseless.

2.      The greatest mining resource of Iron, Bauxite, Chromate, Coal etc. of Asia continent lies in these three states Orissa, Chhatisgarh and jharkhand of India.  So if POSCO sets up its plant at Paradeep with the private port, it will exploit & extract all the mineral resources of all these three states in the coming 20/30 years.

3.      If POSCO will set up its private port at Paradeep, the recent Paradeep port will face a cut throat competition and according to the geographical situation, there is possibility of submerging of the recent port into the Bay of Bengal.

4.      By setting of the POSCO plant at Paradeep there will be a displacement of 30,000 people directly from three panchayats i.e. Nuagaon, Dhinkia, Gadakujanga of Erasama block and more than 1 lakh people will be displaced indirectly in the slow process.

5.      POSCO will extract near about 15,000 to 18,000 crores liters of water from zobra and naraj Barrage of river Mohanadi, as a result the farmers irrigating the lands by the canals of taladanda, Machhagaon, Birupa of Cuttack, jagatasinghpur, and Kendrapara district will suffer a great loss.

6.      The company will take 8000 acres of land directly and 20000 acres of cultivated land will be affected indirectly. Side by side, the central Govt. has given the permission to POSCO to give the mining lease of Khandadhara hills of tribal area in Sundargarh district.

7.      The people of the displaced areas of the plant are living a prosperous life with the cultivation or betel vines, rice, fish, cashewnuts, coconuts and earn more than 5 crore rupees per year. They will loss everything and their society will be wiped out. The Govt. is telling to rehabilitate them. But those people had been displaced in the Hirakud, Nalco, Rourkela projects, they have not been rehabilitated till yet.

8.      Since Orissa Govt. is not selling the iron ore in international rate, it will be the looser of 1,32,000 crores rupees directly (when the international rate of the iron ore per ton is Rs.2600/-, POSCO will give the royality of Rs.26/- to the state Govt.).

9.      Since POSCO will be provided the Special Economic Zone, Govt. of India will lose a lot of revenue by subsidizing the taxes & due to special economic zone India will loss its sovereignty.

10.    POSCO will disturb the ecological balance of Paradeep, Kujanga and Erasama area of Jagatsinghpur district. The temperature of that area will increase and that may welcome the cyclone into the area. (as you know a super cyclone of 1999 had devastated this district earlier and more than 10,000 people died directly at one night here at Earasama block at oceanic cyclone)

11.    As per a survey done by Navnirman Samiti Research Unit that the total national loss will be 2,94,135 Crores rupees due to POSCO. (According to the present rate of calculation)

12.    POSCO will invite all kind of immoral activities i.e. the drugs, liquors and all criminal elements as these are the side effects of the heavy industrialization.

So POSCO will welcome another slavery of the Indian Soil. But since our govt. has singed the MoU of POSCO that is anti-development and anti-people; so we have started fighting against POSCO by organizing the public opinion to protect our soil and mother India.

Programmes :

As you know that, the anti-POSCO movement is continuing here in orissa by the collective initiative of YUVA BHARAT (Navnirman Samiti) in the non-violent way since last more than three years after the MoU sign on 22^nd June’2005 between the Govt. of Orissa and POSCO Authority. Of course, there is another Anti-POSCO group named as POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti led by Mr. Abhaya Sahoo, President of PPSS and State Central Committee Member of CPI. After concentrating in the field area more than three months, we conducted a detailed survey. Then on 3^rd or 4^th of September’05 we took a youth camp where 40 youths had participated. Then we took a Padayatra by the name of “Deshpremi Abhiyan” from 18^th October to 29^th October’05 from  Gadakujanga, Erasama to Bhubaneswar (200 Km’s) as an Anti-POSCO campaign in Orissa to mobilize the public opinion to root out it from the Indian soil. One cycle rally against Imperialism of POSCO & anti liquor drive had been organized in the Cuttack district from 6^th November to 13^th November 2005.

Then, when the first survey notice of land acquiring process was given through local R.I Office, we took an indefinite demonstration (resisting the land acquiring process of POSCO through revenue department) from 27^th December’05 to 15^th of February’06 in front of R.I. Office of Nuagaon Grama panchayat of the projected area of POSCO plant to be set up. On 15^th of February’06 one of our activists Mr. Akshaya kumar, National Convenor of YUVA BHARAT continued fasting up to 22^nd February’06. Many eminent personalities such that Ex-Speaker of Lokasabha Mr. Ravi Ray, President of All India Sarva Seva Sangh Shri Amar Nath Bhai & The Leader of Narmada Bachao Andolan & the Convenor of NAPM, Medha Patekar had come in support of this demonstration against POSCO. Then on the same day of 22^nd February’06 three thousand people came in front of the R.I. Office and locked the office.

When Govt. started its campaign of advocacy of Posco in the name of development through news paper advertisements and audio play programmes, peoples movement challenged it. (a) The play ‘the dream became true’ was continuing three days in a week in all India radio was stopped by peoples demonstration in cuttack on 12^th September,2007. (b)  POSCO ! the symbol of development or devastation on this question we demonstrated in front of governor house by inviting the chief minister of Orissa, Naveen Pattnaik for an open debate. After demonstration of 7 days, the Chief Minister did not respond. Akshaya Kumar, National Convenor of YUVA BHARAT and Narahari Mantri (villager of projected area, aged 69) started indefinite fasting. In this period many eminent social personalities such that eminent journalist & Human Right Activist Shri Kuldeep Nayar, Veteran Socialist Leader Shri Surendra Mohan, Ex-Speaker of Lokasabha Mr. Ravi Ray, President of All India Sarva Seva Sangh Shri Amar Nath Bhai & The Leader of Narmada Bachao Andolan & the Convenor of NAPM, Medha Patekar and other national level social activists had come in support of this demonstration against POSCO inviting an open debate to Chief Minister. But the flattener of companies Naveen Pattnaik did not respond to this Satyagraha. So on 15^th October People launched rally by breaking 144 area & demonstrated in front of Naveen Niwas & took resolve not to allow to enter into proposed area to POSCO officers and Chief Minister.

The alternative legislative assembly was organized from 1^st to 7^th March’07 to coordinate all the people’s movement of Orissa and to decide the alternative development policy for Orissa.

All the political parties want to rectify the MoU and to shift the POSCO plant from one place to another, but our stand is totally different. Since the struggle against POSCO is a struggle against imperialism and WTO, so we want to wipe out POSCO from India by canceling the MoU has been signed between Govt. of Orissa & POSCO.

The 2^nd Phase of Anti-POSCO Movement: The despicable step of POSCO

When Prime Minister told that POSCO should talk with the land owners directly to occupy the land for SEZ. POSCO tried to use its money and muscle power to occupy the land. After the declaration of Prime Minister the activist of YUVA BHARAT  were attacked severely 19^th & 20^th May’07. Among them, Umakant Bharat & Rasmi Ranjan Swain had been seriously injured in their chest and ear. Because, we exposed the truth that POSCO will take other 10 panchayats excluding three panchayats such that Nuagaon, Dhinkia, Gadakujanga. After the agents of POSCO & Gunda attacked us, people had rushed into the spot to take the violent action against them. But, we controlled it with patent and intelligence. As a result, the joint strategy of the Govt. bureaucracy with POSCO failed for the entry of the police forces into that area.

After that, we came to know that POSCO got the environmental clearance of the projected area of the steel plant to be set up without a proper people hearing according to its provision. So, on 22^nd June’07 (which is the MoU date of POSCO, we observed as “The Endangered Day of Independence”). We took the gerao of the State Pollution Control Board Office in Bhubaneswar & challenged the justification of environmental clearance. After that on the same ground, the Committee of Supreme Court has objected that environmental clearance can be permitted with the total clearance of the mining area will be taken on lease.

When Prime Minister told that any company of the world can talk directly with the land owners to take the lands for the SEZ (Special Economic Zone) project, we took it a challenge. On 15^th October’07 we had organized a public meeting at Kanipada, Erasama by giving the call “POSCO Quit India”- for a 3^rd Freedom Struggle. The family members of Netaji Subhash Bose, Raghu Dibakar, Baji Rout etc. had come with their birth place soil into this meeting. People took the oath not to invite the bondage of slavery of the multi nationals through SEZ policy again. In this meeting, Mrs Chitra Ghosh, nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Prof. & Research Scholar of Mukherji Commission on Netaji, Dr. Purabi Roy & Founders of Yuva Bharat Dr. Rakesh Refique, Mr. Rajeev & Mr. Ashok Bharat had participated. Revolutionary cultural group “PRATIDHWANI” of Delhi had performed their play in it.

On 29^th November’07, again, anti-POSCO activists were seriously injured by bomb attacks and tents were fired in Balitutha where they had prepared the gate to ban the entry of the Govt. officials, POSCO Officials & police into their area. Then Govt. declared it as disturbed area & police got the chance to enter into that area. After this incident, we took a different strategy of peace process to counter the gunda and police force of the state. Among us National Convenor, RYS, Dr. Biswajit Roy, & the famous poet and activist of Orissa, Sailej Rabi went to continue the fasting for peace on 4^th December’07. But, they were also attacked and driven out of the place                                                                  and the Gandhi photo with them had been broken. Then Dr. Biswajit continue his fast infront of Collector office of Jagatsinghpur District. Then the convenor of NAPM & the Leader of NBA Medha Patekar, founder of YUVA BHARAT Rakesh Refique, founder of Rastriya Yuva Sangathan Mr. Kumar Prasant & President of Bharat Jana Andolan Dr. B.D. Sharma had come to visit the area by supporting the peace process to break the silence and fear-psychosis of the people. Finally, ex-justice of Orissa High Court, Choudhury P.K. Mishra with the team of peace loving people at the guidance of veteran freedom fighter & Sarvodaya worker Annapurna Moharana met the Governor of Orissa regarding this issue. Governor assured them for the investigation and Justice Mishra with Annapurna Moharana requested us to break the fasting of Biswajit.& assured us to take the peace process forward with all the civil society of Orissa. Afterwards Dr. Biswajit broke the fast. This programme brought a positive result to the movement, when Govt. & bureaucracy tried to declared the movement guided by naxlites. But, our Gandhian non-violence strategy of fasting & intervention by Medha Patekar and other civil liberty peoples save the movement from conspiracy of the Govt. to declare it into naxal base.

After a long gap of more than two years Govt. tried to start the survey work of land acquiring process in the projected area on 8^th Feb’08, but couldn’t complete with a lot of resistance of the local people. On 1^st April, 2008 local people broke the barricade of 144 area in Balitutha and public meeting was held. The on 20^th April, 2008 people fired the Xerox copies of the package declaration written in the plain paper in every village & meeting was conducted. On 21^st April, 2008, the Goons of POSCO attacked our activist Dr. Biswajit Roy, National Convenor, Rastriya Yuva Sangathan and he injured severely. The bleeding was continuing from his nose and the brutal attack on his eye, but fortunately the eye was saved. Now, the FIR has been lodged in Erasama police station for the first time after the 8 times of attack in the different times within the period of POSCO movement and we have asked for the arrest of the culprits.

Now we are closely watching the ongoing situation and further step of government. Though the final decession is now pending at the MoEF but people are always ready to fight against demon POSCO and Odisha government who is acting as the chamcha of Posco. Presently Navnirman Samiti is continuing the Kishan Movement on the issues of price, pension and prestige.  

Therefore, we appeal all the friends, social activists, mass organizations, pro-people political parties, intellectuals and others to co-operate in this programme to protect the sovereignty of the nation and the exploitation of the common man.

Remain here.

With best of love & respect

                                                                              Yours sincerely

Akshaya kumar YUVA BHARAT(Navnirman Samiti) Plot No.849/5051, Talasahi, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Orissa-751031 Ph. : 0674-3206874, 09937427611,09938543661 Email : yuva.bharat@rediffmail.com, navnirmansamiti@gmail.com