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Ekta
Parishad (United Forum) is a mass movement based on the Gandhian
principles of non-violent, civil disobedience. It mobilizes
people on the issue of sustainable and just utilization of
livelihood resources - primarily land, forest, and water.
This is known as the Jal Jangal Jameen campaign. Ekta Parishad
has approximately 150,000 members in four North Indian states
– Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar and Orissa. In terms
of development indices – income, education, health and
so on - these are among the more backward states in India.
Ekta Parishad focuses its numerous local, advocacy campaigns
on the state governments with the aim of implementing existing
pro-poor laws and policies. It also promotes self-reliant
and decentralized development through 35 institutions.
Ekta Parishad Bihar is a membership organization of 3000 individuals,
with a group strength of 20 voluntary organizations. Three
organizations are taking the lead in organizing the Bihar
padyatra. They are Prayas, Pragati and Lok Jagran, based in
the districts of Patna, Geya and Jahanabad. Gandhian social
activist and leader, P.V. Rajgopal, will lead the Bihar padyatra.
Rajgopal used the padyatra method, in 1999-2000, in Madhya
Pradesh (MP), to bring attention to the plight of the poor
and landless dalits and tribals in this state. Following the
MP padyatra, the state government set up land commissions
in approximately 40 districts of the state, to review land
claims. With this success underway, Rajgopal is taking the
same issue to Bihar. Clearly, the Ekta Parishad leadership
is giving a message to the state and central government that
it is time to take land reform seriously. Basic food security
and livelihood cannot otherwise be safeguarded.
In 1999-2000, the Ekta Parishad, effectively employed the
padyatra method in Madhya Pradesh (MP), to bring attention
to the plight of the poor and landless dalits and tribals
in this state. Following the MP padyatra, the state government
set up land commissions in approximately 40 districts of the
state, to review land claims.
Visit Ekta Parishad in India:
www.ekta-parishad.org
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