Suresh Mathew reports on the Ecological workshop held at Grampari - The Rural Ecological Centre at Asia Plateau, 20-22

Sunlight, a mysterious golden hue, gilded the open muddy ground, a natural semicircle, once trampled by herds of Jersey cows, now almost levelled, with comfortably placed chairs and for the true rural feel, mats of coir for cross legged conversations.

Twenty two participants from four villages – Baramati, Abhaypuri gram, Pandhare Village and Taluka Wai, with a proportionate mix of 6 ladies and 16 men, sat in the lovely refurbished chicken sheds, now changed beyond recognition. From coops of “squawking“ chickens and wireless ‘mayhem' has emerged class rooms with jute packed roofs, rectangular windows, bright sunshine, Formica paved floors, delicate and strewn with atmospheric joy.

Prabhakar Vartak, Secretary to the IofC (India) Trust speaking in chaste Marathi (the local vernacular), and faultless diction, recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s dictum “Be the change you want to see in the world“. The spiritual truths found in all religions he said have a common refrain; they are “applicable to all, be they Industry, Trade Unions, Top Management or students.

Leena Khatri, full time IofC member, urged the participants to use their lives to be more effective.

Challenges are constant, ever present, ‘Unemployment, violence, donations for admissions to schools and colleges, addictions“ are issues that are overwhelming and seemingly unsolvable.“

Are there, she queried, “any semblance of these drives within us?"

Robin Redsull, born at the dawn of the Second World War, has been farming for 30 years in the West of England. He came to India in 1985 with Christian Aid, and has worked with Rural India mainly in UP and North Central India. He is a self declared “Social Engineer“ who is passionate about working with grass roots culture, bringing about awareness of their legitimate rights guaranteed under the Constitution. He has single-handedly used his resources to sponsor education for 36 deserving girl students (Rs.3000/- per month) and under girded expenses for an old age home (1000 pound sterling) in Pandhare village. Abhay Shaha, a professional Architect and Coordinator of the programs at Grampari, met him in 1991 and has worked closely with him in Baramati.

Robin led the participants in a workshop for understanding the process of initiating dialogue, for submitting project requests through the Sarpanch (village head), initially with the village district and eventually to the State Government. Enhancing clarity in decision making particularly when weighing crucial issues, prioritizing options, be they sanitation, community development or introducing new technology. To arrive at a consensus, accept differences in background and experience. and be concise in presentation.

Education has brought about a shift in perceptions with manifold changes in perspectives. The male child is no longer considered to be more important than women. Self help groups have made a dent into ignorance and mindless superstition. 33% representation in Gram Panchayati is now mandatory. 10% of the finance for Panchyati Raj projects has to be set aside for women’s upliftment.

Ankosh Parkhande has been the Sarpanch of Kaldhare village since 1980 and was elected for six consecutive terms. He proudly attributes his success to the values he had imbibed during his formative years with the Rayat Sikshan Samstha. This is a nomenclature for a network of educational Institutions set up exclusively by the State Government for the rural areas. He acknowledges that all he did was to transpose his knowledge and experience to his political life.

He started the first election year with a revenue collection of Rs.3500/ - increased it to Rs, 35000/ - by 1991 and in 2006 quadrupled it to Rs.1, 50,000.

Kaldhare village under his tutelage was awarded the Nirmal Gram Yogna (100% clean toilets) and given a cash award of Rs.5 lakhs. Notable achievements included Bimal Gram (All villagers insured), savings from all Self Help Groups deposited in the Post office. The village also earned the social harmony prize. There are no communal separations in the village homes, with all living together in unity and mutual acceptance.

There was undoubted acceptance that issues of larger significance have their roots in strong personal decisions. Bringing in fresh inspiration and new directions to lifestyles. Abhay Shaha led the group in depth understanding of “Quiet time “. In the stillness, listening to the flawless voice of conscience there is guidance and infallible truth.

Simple experiences of shading the truth when seeking permission to attend the workshop to a moving experience when a participant narrated an incident of parking a vehicle in the wrong slot but stoically taking in the abuse, after which the accuser was moved to tears and asked for an apology.

There were a wide range of spontaneous responses “To be a model Sarpanch in the future “First have to think and get my own house in order, then have a vision for society. “There is a definite need for more such workshops and interactions “.

Sudhir Gogate, Executive Director, Keihin Fie Pvt Ltd spoke with candor and warmth narrating his own humble background but who with determination and focus reached the highest echelons of Corporate success.

He gave them vivid glimpses of Bankim Roy who in Tilonia, Rajasthan taught the villager women on the use and application of solar energy, bringing them world recognition. Perception he emphasized is key. Seemingly impossible odds can be looked at from different angles, solutions otherwise considered impossible can be found that benefits everyone. He illustrated this with an example of a seaside community who greatly increased their income by sorting out their catch in the high seas before bringing them to shore.

The means to wealth and happiness he stressed is to perform every task with zeal and integrity.

Suresh Mathew