A story and Bio-data Salient featuresGrowth of A Positive Voice of Dissent in Voluntary Sector

Chatti Post, Chinthur Mandalam, East Godavari District Andhra Pradesh- 507 129

CHATTI MAHATMA GANDHI AASHRAMAM

A Positive Voice

A Voice of Dissent

Grand Father in the Aashramam

The Chief Cook in the Aashramam

A Volunteer who mobilizes in the Aashramam

Birth and Educational hops in Life

• Born on 7th July 1949 in Pudukkotai Tamil Nadu.• Entered 1st Class in Pudukkotai.• Studied 2nd and 3rd Classes in Kutralam, Tamil Nadu.• 4th Class in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu• 5th to 8th classes at Bengaluru in Karnataka.• 9th Class onwards and completed B.Sc Degree with Botany,

Zoology and Chemistry at Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh.

• Wanted to become Doctor and do Social Work but missed the bus by 0.25 marks. There was no EMCET in those years.

Tryst with Volunteerism- 1

• 1964. Formed “Cha Cha Nehru Open Scout Troop” at 61, Doveton Road, Bolarum, Secunderabad.• Great fiasco inviting President of India Dr.S.Radhakrishnan to inaugurate by just writing a post card. • Police coming to house and parents get panicky. • President did not come but felt proud for getting a letter from His Office.

Tryst with Volunteerism- 2

• 1968-69. “Friends of Humanity- International”- Bertrand Russel inspired to start one at Hyderabad. • Gave press release and called for a meet.• Finally, ended up initiating “P and P Club”. • Peace and Prosperity Club- Moral, Social, Cultural, Economic and Political Prosperity is the basis for Peace.

Activities of P and P Club

• Inter Collegiate students and Youth conferences, debates and similar activities.• S-Circle to promote scientific thinking. • K-Circle to promote quest for knowledge among student youth. • Week end and holidays Shram Dan work camps in slums.• Visit to Prisons on Raksha Bhandan festival and celebrate the event with the prisoners. • Build network with other Youth and Student Organisations like NIYAH- Nehru Institute of Youth Affairs-Hyderabad.

Resource Mobilisation- P and P Club61, Doveron Road, Bolarum, Secunderabad was the capital of P and P Club.•Contributions from members.•Repayable, not necessarily repayable and repay as you please Loans from Friends.•Worked as News paper boy for 3 years.•Sold Modern Bread produced by “Modern Bakeries”- a new initiative of Government in those years.•Sold milk that came first time in bottles in 1966. • I take pride today that Dr.Abdul Kalam and Warren Buffet were also Newspaper boys. •Even today I feel love with paper boys that recalls my younger days.• I had a short tinge of working as a school teacher for less than three years before I left Hyderabad in 1973.

P and P Club Executive Committee

A Turning Point in life

• Attending the 2nd and 3rd “Antar Bharti Shram Sanskar Chaoni” at Somnath, Chanda, Maharashtra. • Baba Amte, Yudunath Thatte and Chandrakanth Shah inspired me.• Decided to become Free and Independent, without a Boss above me or Servants below.• Influenced by Kumar Shiralkar of Shramik Sanghatana in Sahada, Dulia- his letters, I decided to live with Tribal Communities. • P and P Club started “Antar Bharati Inter-State Youth Exchange Programmes”.

Antar Bharati Sneh Milan Interstate Youth Exchange

Developing the Concept Fear to come out of the cocoon of

comfort zone

• Somnath and Anand Van of Baba Amte inspired in Commune Life.• I read lot about Kibbutz of Israel- Village Communes.• An Article in “The Hindu” newspaper on ‘ Take the Town to the Villages’ gave a framework. • Conceptualized “An Agricultural Tribal Township”.•Where urban and Adivasi youth will live as a Commune, live on agriculture and develop villages around. • Shram Dan Camps were foreseen as means to involve the urban, rural and tribal youth. • But, this remained on table for over two years and it was a starting problem.

Got Freedom and IndependenceSwamy Ramand Tirth Momorial Committee was our humble strategic

support

• I am proud that we got our first contribution of Rs.500.00 from Late Sri. P.V.Narasimha Rao around 15th August 1973. Even today, I remember with nostalgia his gentle pat on my back. • Late Sri. Damohar Pangrekar always supported me on distress

call for resources. • They were President and Secretary of Swamy Ramand Tirth

Memorial Committee.• “You can Break my Back but I shall not bend” inspired me

from Ramanand Tirtha. • Organised a Farewell meeting at Osmania University campus

with all my P and P and other friends.• I Left Hyderabad in wilderness on the 15th August 1973. • Landed at Bhadrachalam via Khammam. Hoping pad it was for

me.

Shram Dan Camp- P and P Club

My First Villages- A Joker I was

• First day in Bhadrachalam I was housed at AC Parnasala Guest House by the Sub Collector. • It was too much for me and also cost wise. From the Second day, I chose APSRTC bus shelter, I stayed. • I was introduced to Pichikalapadu and Tunikicheruvu villages by Revenue Inspector, Bhadrachalam. • Not knowing Telugu and Koya Dialect, I was seen as joker by the villagers and others in Bhadrachalam town. • It was difficult to stay in these villages in those early days except symbolic stay for couple of days, now and then.

Historic First Youth camp at Pichikalapadu Village

• Zero budget camp. • Citizens and community gave resources in kind- rather we begged and stole (?!) from them. • 5th to 15th December 1973 with over 75 Girl and Boy students and youth from Hyderabad. •We wanted to dig a drinking water well. We could make a big deep pit, instead. • A Report on the camp is attached, just in case you are interested ask for a copy or read.

A Memory of the Camp- the Certificate

P and P Club at Bhadrachalam

• I started learning Telugu by going voraciously to Telugu movies. • After Pichikalapadu camp, I could get Government Hospital Guest house as my home in January 1974 thanks to Dr.A.P. Ranga Rao, who was impressed by my idiosyncrasy of organising the camp. • Informally established P and P Club at Bhadrachalam.• Besides occasional visit to Pichikalapadu and Tunikicheruvu, I started working with students in the Government Junior College and Government Hospital. • Of course, periodic jaunts to Hyderabad to meet friends and share the experiences, thoughts, ideas and dreams. `

Activities based at Bhadrachalam

• Rejuvenating Library and Reading Room in the Junior College. • Once Organised a canteen during Mukkoti Festival to raise funds for Ladies Toilet in the college. • ‘Youth Against Dirt and Diseases Campaign’ at the Government Hospital.• Built Patients’ attender’s shed, vegetable garden in Hospital Campus and planting trees. The grown trees stand today as sweet memories.

GIRIJANA SEEMA LABOUR CONTRACT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY• In 1975, Government of Andhra Pradesh nationalised Timber Extraction operations- started Department of Extraction of Timber- DET.• This was an interesting idea and we started a Co-operative Society. A First opportunity to really go to the villages and forests. • Integrated Tribal Development Agency- ITDA gladly gave us a grant of Rs.10,000 and a loan of Rs.10,000. • But, poor manager I was. • To the member labourers, I was benevolent Labour contractor. • To DET, I was a foolish youth without knowledge of Timber Extraction. • In three months, all the funds got drained in running the community mess for the labourers and in advances. • ITDA started fiercely taunting at the loss.

Undeterred I was…• I got contact with innovative Banking cell of State Bank of Hyderabad. • They were too glad to give me loan without any guarantee and bail-out our society. • Two of us went to Dehra Doon Forest College. We got trained in using Power Chain saw and exposed to timber dragging by tractor. • Bankers were knocking our doors to give us loan that included refund to ITDA - both their grant and loan.

I surrendered…

• I met the District Collector with all documents that included our own conditions to Forest Department to get the contract for the Society.. • He took me personally and explained that ‘I am not Wise for this kind of JOB’. Advised me to quit, go home and join parents. • I surrendered and returned to Hyderabad. The bankers were disappointed but appreciated. • Unwilling to accept defeat and go home, joined as a Volunteer at Oasis Residential School at Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad for couple of months.

I Was critical of Oasis School …said good bye

• Right from Day one, I was critical that the school is serving the Children of the rich. • After a month, I went to raise donations for the school from the rich parents of the children. • I got a pittance as donation. • Said Good Bye to Oasis school.

Tryst with my village of Destiny- Chatti.• Unwilling to accept defeat, I returned from Hyderabad without agenda but to start a tea shop that will bring Revolution. •Without stopping at Bhadrachalam or meeting officers, I went to Chatti Village around which we did Timber Extraction earlier.• Chatti is located on the Banks of River Sabari, a tributary of Godavari. • I made the newly made bridge across the river my HOME. • My Teachers from whom I started new learning- The Tribal labourers working on the road and in the forest•We also met at the only generator run Cinema hall at Chinthur. • In any case, I feared to go into Chatti Village. The fear was compounded since there was no electricity in the area. • Original Tea shop idea took back seat. I will now start one at our Aashramam.• Meeting people, the youth in their work, learning and making friendship became the agenda.

FundRaisig was by FriendsRaisingAnd vice versa • I got free VISA- Access to village from the Village Head- Podian Dora. •We arranged a Youth exchange programme of the Chatti Youth- spending their time with Hyderabad Youth for one week. • In six months, the youth mobilised to build my hut on the land gifted by a community member. • The Long Run in life started at brisk pace from now on. •We started our first Non Formal Education centre at Chatti in my big hut. •Without calling, youth and children thronged and came from evening 4.00 and left around 10. But, always few would fall asleep, spend the night and run home for their work, the next morning. • I was hosted by different community members by turns for lunch and dinner. • They were kind to raise money for my occasional travel to Hyderabad.

ITDA again stepped in…our activities

ITDA was impressed by our Non Formal Education centre and started again supporting us. • Community Dairy, Community Cultivation, Community Land Development, Sewing Training and all. • Chatti became ‘Mecca’ of all Government Officials to visit. • But, funding Honey Moon was short lived. Because, we did not bribe the new Project Officer of ITDA.

The First Funding…Foreign Funds

• It was at a providential meeting of new friends like Sri. G.B.Thomas of Rural Development Advisory Service- RDAS at Hyderabad. We got to learn of Foreign Funding possibilities for the first time in 1977. • We got first fellowship of Rs.500 from CROSS, Hyderabad. • Subsequently, Bread For the World offered to fund and we established ‘Girijana Seema Welfare Association’ as a legal entity. • We experienced slow and sporadically fast drift away from volunteerism with funds coming in. • Glad that we did not loose our foot on the ground of Volunteerism and Community initiatives, over the years.

Voluntary Organisation initiated. Over the years, we were instrumental in initiating directly three organisations.

1. Girijana Seema Welfare Association- 1977

2. Chaitanya Shravanthi- 19833. Girijana Prajala Sangam- 1984

We supported our Colleagues to form Voluntary initiatives

• We were the first pilots and pioneers of Voluntary Action in the area. • We believed in “Small is Beautiful’ and Democratic. • Encouraged our colleagues who wanted to start their own initiatives and spread. • Notable among them are ASHA- Subhani, SAKTHI- Siva, ASDS- Gandhi Babu. • We supported dozens of others n the Eastern Ghats. • We also believed that unity- networking gives us strength. This was successful in the initial years. But, evading since 2008!!!???

Our Major Activities in these years…

• Non Formal Education and pre-schools.• Check Dams and Lift Irrigation- New and rejuvenating the old. • Self Help Groups. • Emergency Health support and supporting communities at times of floods.• Organising Communities.• Educating and skill training.

Our Networking…major events

•We were active part of many networking initiatives since the start. Solidarity, Collective, Aranyika, Samatha Swaraj Mitra Mandal- SSMM are notable among them • Manya Prantha Chaitanya Yatra- Long March was organised in 1992 from Pathapatnam- Srikakulam and Polavaram. • Manya Prantha Chaitanya Cycle Yatra on the same route that concluded with mamoth Jatara- Folk Festival at Chatti- 1993.• All the above networks for different reasons went into untold slumber.• Aranyika now remains as a Voluntary Organisation.

Leadership in our initiatives…• We are proud team of Second Line Native Leaders and I working as a transparent team. • Natural but premature death took away Mani, B.Bhadraiah and M.Venkanna from our team.• Today, Chaitanya Shravanthi is Independently led by Malini.M and shifted to work in Paderu and Araku areas in Vizag District. • Girijana Seema Welfare Association has withdrawn from Khammam and shifted to Visakha District, led by Aliveni based at Gudem remote village. • Girijana Prajala Sangam is led by Ashok and shifted the office from Chatti to Chinthur. • Among the first timers, many have left. I, Korasa Bhadraiah and Karaka Ramulamma remain as enduring Volunteers (?!).• They do not get any Salary support from any of these or other organisations.

Three Musketeers

Disturbing trends in the scenario…• In 70s and 80s funds brought initiatives together. But, we also came

together beyond funding factor.• In the new millennium “only” funds are bringing initiatives together.• Ironically, funds are also not allowing ‘ALL’ organisations to come together. • We are deeply anguished that even those who emerged from our

initiatives are cool and less willing, if not unwilling to come together in our Dandakaranya initiatives. • We set the agenda as Project Holders in 70s. Now, gradually (subtly) the

agenda is being set by funding agencies and government. They talk of their priorities without thinking of our priorities and future sustenance. • Misplaced professionalism is displacing Volunteerism in the sector. • Irresponsible Big funds are destroying good work.• Sub altern Natives are further marginalized and subtly kept out of

Leadership in the sector by English and misinterpreted Professionalism. No doubt caste is also playing a role.• Corruption is fast seeping and eclipsing the good works done by many

good workers.

Emergence of Chatti Mahatma Gandhi Aashramam • Over the years, the concept of Commune life got eroded along with Volunteerism in our team. • All colleagues started to have subtle feeling that they are staff of the organisations and will remain only till funds flow in. • Our itch of Volunteerism has started again since 2008 and culminated as Aashramam at Chatti.• SSMM and Sarva Seva Sangh gave us orientation and we named it as “Chatti Mahatma Gandhi Aashramam”. • I live here with Mangamma along with Gangan my informally adopted Grand Daughter.• Mangamma and I have four sons and one daughter who occasionally visit us.

Objectives of the Aashramam• We are strategically located bordering Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Ours is

relatively a Peace Zone. • By our strategic location, we provide launching pad for all kinds of activities

to everyone in Dandakaranya, at NO COST. Our gut instinct to find resources. • Enrolling and nurture Volunteers. They may choose to go out by getting a

job either in an organisation or outside.• Practice SARVODAYA values. No Boss or Servant in our Aashramam. Least

division of labour. • Re-invent P and P Club activities in the area. • We believe in Participatory Democracy at all level. We practice Democratic

Culture and life style- Once, our Great Friend Sri. M.V.Sastry described this practice as Over-Democracy during one of our first evaluations.• Promote community initiatives and they become Independent from the

Government. • Avoid debate, promote dialogue with focus upon empathy to each other and

their needs/values- to resolve issues. • Organise periodic activities to practice the above objectives.

• Rejuvenating Volunteerism at different levels without prejudice to Social Subcontracts. Promote SARVODAYA both in Voluntary Sector and the Society. • Immediate Goal: Avoid submergence of Adivasi communities and construct Polavaram dam through Empathetic dialogue process among the affected communities.• Long Term Goal: Peace In Dandakaranya- focus is violence between the Maoists and the Government without compromise on Justice.

…S

Our immediate Major activities.

• AHIMSA DIVAS- from 1st October to 3rd October at Chatti followed by visit to the communities that could be submerged by the construction of Polavaram and conclude at our Polavaram Aashramam on the 10th October 2014.• Celebrate Elders day along with Elders on the 1st, Gandhi Jayanthi on the 2nd and JP Jayanthi on the 10th. • Ankur- Seedling of Participatory Decision making by empathy dialogue between the Koyathor who could be submerged and the beneficiary communities without prejudice to involve beneficiary corporate. • Hope the seedling will further sprout and grow in the coming months as a major dialogue that will influence the Government to recourse to alternate designs.

Our dilemmas in the field…• We in the Voluntary Sector and the Government by default have made

the communities divided as individuals. They have become weak and dependent. • Corporate and present material development model have succeeded in

converting the communities to their fold. It is painful to note that they have become vulgar consumers. • We are far lagging behind. Sadly, heavily funded NGOs are also polluting

the scene. • We are finding it difficult to attract youth and people on enduring basis.• In General the communities, especially the Youth are in search of jobs

and do not desire doing agriculture.• In general, the Communities and popular development model has lost

foot on the ground of Humanism.• At the outset we feel that growth and changes are inevitable. But, inner

feeling we get is that the present growth is cancerous and development route is self destructive.

Aashramam’s Legal Dilemmas…• Ideally, we must produce and live with least need for money. This is

not easy, looks less practical immediately. • This must be supplemented by contribution in kind by the

communities around. Little difficult!!!??? Given our past funded Organisation status!• We do not want to have a Legal entity binding us, Executive

Committees and office bearers. We want to live like a family. • How do we get resources in little larger sums? As a compromise, back

up and standby, Hopefully, Girijana Prajala Sangam- GPS will provide us legal umbrella, when needed. • All said and done, eventually, we desire contributions to our

individual members that we will pool as family and spend. • Our lands- around 30 acres are ‘legally’ but with question marks

owned by GPS. How do we ensure to ensure eternal continuity of our possession without legal rights on these lands. • The Tragic Polavaram Dam(n) if at all constructed could be the

greater tragedy for us.

Social Dilemmas….

• As ideal Volunteers I and we have kept nothing for our tomorrow. How do we keep the flock together though some will be always coming in and some will be going out. • Friends and close relatives are willing to give to gods, spend for lavish ceremonies and parties. But, they are less willing to contribute to us. Often, It becomes mutually nagging. • Voluntary Organisation- NGOs shout to the top and claim Corporate to be responsible. Today, we have CSR as Law. • Charity begins at home! But, VOs do not seem to be responsive to our contribution requests. • Tail Piece: GPS is not getting any funds that they can share something with us. Further, present professional funding/accounting mechanisms and professionalism approach forbid if not encourage such sharing.

Our resources…• We have made a temporary compromise till we pick up. We have no objection if GPS or any other organisation raises project funds and share with us giving us mutually reasonable freedom to spend. • Otherwise, we need small resources from as many people around India and World. • We expect sensitivity from NGO- VO fraternity to come forward more individually and also as organisations. • Our Agriculture and SARVODAYA Social enterprises have little long way to go and gain. As on today, our agricultural competency is questionable!

Our Strategy and Appeal•We have impossible goals. Take first possible steps without loosing sight of the goal.• Ekla Chalo. Go it alone, others will join. • Enroll panel of extended members of our Aashramam who will contribute to us as Individuals or to GPS. We will focus upon friends and relatives and their friends and relatives. • Aashramam will maintain self audited accounts of funds received by our members. This will be sent to our contributors. GPS will send audited Statements to all contributors. •We would welcome VOs and NGOs to be our partners and raise funds for us. •We need regular resources periodically contributed by you all - depending upon your convenience.. •We may need larger contributions when events are organised.

We Welcome-

• We need as many of you, encourage your friends and unemployed to get enrolled and live with us by turns.• “Dirty Dozen” is also fine. We have guts and commitment to handle

them• Welcome to elderly, sick and challenged. • So called orphans, direct or advice them to live with us. Please

arrange their coming to us at your expense, first.

Our Bank Accounts…

Umbrella Organisation

Name of Account: GIRIJANA PRAJALA SANGAM

Account Number:52193211617

Bank Name: State Bank of Hyderabad.

Branch: Yerrampet

Address:

Chinthur Post, Chinthur Mandalam,

Andhra Pradesh,Pin Code: 507 126

IFSC: SBHY0020693

Jai Insaan! Jai Gram Swaraj!! Jai Ahimsa!!!

Tail Piece: On request, we shall furnish names of our Aashramam members with their Designated Bank account details.