March 2020 – Gram Seva Sangh

Brother, let’s have a unity of purpose

Gram Seva Sangh, is doing a campaign these days called #KaronaKuch. The aim of this campaign is to bring unity of purpose amongst Indian citizen, during the hour of crisis. We strongly believe, this crisis, though manifesting itself as Corona Emergency, is a deep seated moral and ethical crisis! With this moral and ethical concern in mind, we have been issuing social media posts praising the strong social foundation of every practicing religion in India. The some of our Hindu brothern have objected to our praising the good social values in Islam! These objections are of course based on a certain fact, pointing a figure at the Muslims today!

Brother, we are painfully aware of this! Not just amongst Muslims but amongst every Indian citizen. If social values had not become mere ritual, Mantra, Namaz and Sunday prayer, we would not have gotten into the mess that we are in today.

Do we give up Hinduism, simply because there are problems today in its practice. On the contrary! We shall make extra efforts to bring these ideas into practice! Sharing, Caring and Love! Let us practice it. Others, We are sure, will join us! In any case Unity is the need of the hour, Brother!

Gram Seva Sangh Team

Email ID: gramsevasanghindia@gmail.com | Mobile: 9980043911 | www.gr amsevasangh.org

Facebook : @gramsevasanghindia | Twitter : @gramsevasangha | Insta: @gramsevasanghindia

Address: Gram Seva Sangh, Flat #102, Shesha Nivas, 1st Block, 1st Main, Thyagaraj Nagar, Bengaluru-560070

ಮತೀಯತೆ ಬೇಡ

ಕರೋನಾದಿಂದ ಸತ್ತವರೆಲ್ಲ ಒಂದೇ ಸಮುದಾಯದವರು, ಈಗಲೂ ಅವರು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆಯ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗುಂಪು ಸೇರುವುದೇಕೆ? ಎಂಬ ತಲೆಬರಹದ ಸುದ್ದಿಯೊಂದನ್ನು, ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಕಟವಾಗುವ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ದಿನಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯೊಂದರ ಮುಖಪುಟದಲ್ಲಿ, ತುಂಬ ರೋಚಕವಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಜಾಲತಾಣಗಳಲ್ಲಂತೂ ಬರೇ ಇಂತಹದ್ದೇ ಸುದ್ದಿಗಳು ತುಂಬಿಕೊಂಡಿರುತ್ತವೆ! ಕರೋನಾ ವೈರಸ್ಸನ್ನು ತಡೆಯುವ ಉತ್ಸಾಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಮತೀಯ ವೈರಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಹರಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ ನಾವು! ಸರಕಾರಗಳು ವೈರಸ್ಸನ್ನು ತಡೆಯುವ ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಗಂಭಿರವಾಗಿ ತೊಡಗಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವಾಗ, ಅವುಗಳೊಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಸಹಕರಿಸುವ ಬದಲು ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ಸುದ್ದಿಗಳನ್ನು ಹರಡಬಹುದೇ ನಾವು? ನಾವೂ ಸಹ ನಮ್ಮ ಮಂದಿರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, ತಿಳಿಯದೆ, ಒಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ಪೂಜಿಸಿರಲಿಲ್ಲವೇ? ಹಸಿದವರಿಗೆ ಊಟ ಹಂಚುತ್ತಿರುವಾಗ ದೆಹಲಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂರುವರೆ ಸಾವಿರ ಬಡವರು ಮುಗಿಬಿದ್ದು ಊಟ ಮಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲವೇ?

ತಪ್ಪು ಮಾಡುವ ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳನ್ನು ತಿದ್ದುವ, ಹಾಗೂ ಅಗತ್ಯಕಂಡರೆ ಶಿಕ್ಷಿಸುವ, ಸಂವಿಧಾನಬದ್ಧ ಹಕ್ಕನ್ನು ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಸರಕಾರಗಳಿಗೆ ನೀಡಿರುವೆವಲ್ಲವೆ? ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ದೂರೀಕರಣ (ಸೊಷಿಯಲ್ ಡಿಸ್ಟೆಂಸಿಂಗ್) ಎಂಬ ತತ್ವವನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪಾಗಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಪಾಯಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿ ಅರ್ಥೈಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವಲ್ಲವೆ ನಾವು? ವಿಷಮ ಘಳಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ದೇಶದ ಒಗ್ಗಟ್ಟನ್ನು ಕಾಪಾಡೋಣ, ಒಡಕನ್ನು ಪ್ರಚೋದಿಸುವುದು ಬೇಡ.

ಗ್ರಾಮ ಸೇವಾ ಸಂಘ

Email ID: gramsevasanghindia@gmail.com | Mobile: 9980043911 | www.gr amsevasangh.org

Address: Gram Seva Sangh, Flat #102, Shesha Nivas, 1st Block, 1st Main, Thyagaraj Nagar, Bengaluru-560070

#KaronaKuch – An Appeal for Crowd Funding !!

Friend,

I am sure you have been following #KaronaKuch campaign. We want to carry it forward, reach more people. The campaign hence needs a little funding. Gram Seva Sangh is spear heading the campaign. We are Gandhians. We use money scrupulously. Do send us a small contribution if you can.

Thank You Bank Details

Abhilash Name: Gram Seva Sangh Bank: Indian Bank

Convener Ac No: 6820702287 IFSC: IDIB000C007

Gram Seva Sangh Branch: Chamrajpet, Bengaluru

Satyagraha for Sacred Economy

OUR DEMANDS

ZERO TAX AND REFINANCING FOR SACRED ECONOMIES

AND

STEPS BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REJUVENATE SACRED ECONOMY ON A WAR FOOTING

For more information on the satyagraha: bit.ly/SSE_ENG

Use #SacredEconomy on social media

Centenarian Freedom Fighter H S Doreswamy addressing the satyagrahis

Environmentalist Vandana Shiva speaking to the Industrial workers

Why the Satyagraha?

Gram Seva Sangh has undertaken a satyagraha for revival of the sacred economy. Sacred Economy is that which gives maximum number of jobs with minimum investment and with least damage to the environment. The sage Valmiki in his Ramayana speaks of this harmonious existence between humans and nature.

The Monster Economy is losing

Today the Monster Economy has spread its tentacles all over the world. The nature and girth of this economy is indeed monstrous. Ironically, this economy is losing and it is defeating not only us, but its surroundings as well. This is the ideal time to defeat the monster economy and pave the way for sacred economy.

Should we allow the monsters to win?

No. But governments all over the world are desperately trying to save the monster economy with taxpayers’ money. When small and medium scale industries are in distress, when farmers, weavers, and artisans are turning away from their professions and migrating to cities, saving the monster economy is a crime.

Exclusion is not sacred

The very meaning of sacred is being changed. Segregation in the name of caste and gender discrimination is being promoted in the name of sacredness.

Our demand

Sacred Economy sectors should have zero tax, have refinancing options and the government should work towards rejuvenating this sector immediately.

Fashion guru Prasad Bidapa hosts a fashion show of handmade fabrics on behalf of Satyagraha for Sacred Economy

Is it possible to measure sacred economy scientifically?

“This is an immeasurable demand. Even if the government makes up its mind to accede to the demand, it is not possible to do so.” This is the opinion of some people. However, this is not true. This goal can be achieved. I will explain below.

Sacred Economy has criteria

If there are handmade products and locally procured raw materials on one end, then there is completely automated and imported raw material on the other end.

Swadeshi limit

We have also formulated a criterion for procuring raw materials that are swadeshi. If the raw material is procured within a hundred kilometers of the manufacturing unit, then it is swadeshi. Or else it will be treated as foreign. When Gandhiji announced Gram Swarajya, this limit was set at 8 kms or 5 miles.

60-40 ratio

The criterion for sacred economy has a 60-40 ratio. This means that a manufacturing sector should have 60 per cent human effort and 40 per cent automation. The same ratio applies to raw materials.

Panacea for the collapsing economy

All the sectors that meet these criteria should have zero tax (GST), have refinancing options, and receive measures to uplift the sector. The only way to resuscitate the collapsing economy is by adopting sacred economy. We should not forget that we are primarily a local economy compared to developed countries.

An example of implementation

Take the auto-manufacturing sector. A large number of organized workers are employed in this sector. For this very reason, the government has provided tax breaks amounting to crores and crores of rupees. Then why has it not seen the desired result?

This is because the workers are not present in large numbers in Maruti, Ford or Toyota assembly line. They work in smaller ancillary industries which are shutting down. For example, the industrial estate of Peenya in Bengaluru North, which is Asia’s biggest, has started closing down.

A collective movement

Revive the Peenya’s of this nation, not the monster economies. In this manner, this is a joint movement of the unorganized sectors of rural areas and the organized sectors of the cities.

Why use the word sacred?

There are several dimensions to the satyagraha. While the creation of jobs is one aspect, protection of nature and environment is second. The third is the social structure. The satyagraha is also fighting caste and gender discrimination. Segregation is not sacred, I strongly believe that only hard work is sacred.

Tradition and Saint movements

Whether it was the Kalyana Kranti led by Basavanna or the movement led by Saint Ravidas or by Saint Kabir etc..it is noteworthy that all of them also talked about creating jobs, protecting the environment and destroying the caste system. If work is worship (Kayakave Kailasa), then tanning and weaving are also forms of worship.

Not just the temple that is sacred

How are temples that deny entry to dalits sacred? Sant Ravidas who used to sit on the roadside is sacred to us. Buddha, who organized the dalits, Allama, Manteswami, Male Mahadeshwara and Junjappa are all sacred to us. For several years Gram Seva Sangh has conducted a padayatra to all sacred places and has now taken up the fight for sacred economy.

Are city workers not sacred?

They definitely are. The creation of jobs is not limited to the rural sector. Hence, we did not call this movement as Gram Swarajya. Our definition of sacred economy includes people in the city like women garment workers, pourakarmikas, factory workers etc who are in distress.

Is our demand too big?

Yes, our demand is vast. Were it to be smaller, it would have been easier. The problem today is large and hence our demand is large. Our fight for smaller demands has not yielded the desired result. The economic distress has swept our workers into untold hardship.

Do or Die

This is the age of Do or Die. This has led to the rise of a global movement called Extinction Rebellion, a peaceful civil disobedience movement. We are patient. Even if the administrators lose their patience, we will not lose it. The satyagraha will be peaceful.

What is the politics behind this?

This movement is not a political movement. We do not think that any political solutions can be found for this problem. But this does not mean that we will keep political workers away from our movement. We call upon all workers to join us and bear upon their political parties to rejuvenate sacred economy.

This is a moral fight

Our satyagraha aims to encourage people to stop increased consumption and buy sacred products. We also want to bring moral pressure upon the government to formulate laws to help sacred sectors.

Who are we?

We are not a workers’ union. Nor do we desire to gain political power with our satyagraha. Gram Seva Sangh is a union of all organisations involved in constructive work. We are working towards ensuring jobs in the sacred sector and protecting our environment. If our goals are met, then we will go back to our individual constructive work.

Reading of the Ramayana during the satyagraha with noted singer MD Pallavi , singer Naada Maninalkuru and author Prasanna (left)

Satyagraha is wherever you are

We are with you where you are. Your satyagraha should be harmonious and peaceful. If you lose your temper or use the podium to further the prospects of your political party, then we are not with you. We are with the people. We are with the environment.

What if others are angry with me?

Anger is a disease. If you do not cure it, then you will never see the truth. Swallow your anger and convince others to set aside their anger as well.

Retired Supreme Court Justice V Gopala Gowda sitting for the satyagraha

What is the stance of the government?

The governments talk a lot about creation of jobs and protecting the environment. But their actions are contrary to their words. They bail out big corporations. In turn, these corporations grow bigger and automate jobs. They are killings jobs and destroying the environment.

Greta Thunberg

This teenager from Sweden is asking politicians and industrialists worldwide, “Why are you destroying my future, why are you destroying the environment for your profit?” We have the same question, but more specific. We also say that sacred economy is the only way to rescue the collapsing environment.

Release of the satyagraha’s logo. (L to R) M D Pallavi, Nada Maninalkuru, Vijayamma and Basavaraj Patil.

ಸತ್ಯಾಗ್ರಹದ ಘೋಷಣೆಗಳು (Satyagraha Slogans)

ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ… ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ…!

ಹಸಿರನ್ನು ಹಸಿರಾಗಿ ಉಳಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಕೆಲಸ ಕೊಡಿ…!

ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ… ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ…!

ಸಭ್ಯತೆಯನ್ನು ಸಭ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಉಳಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ..!

ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ… ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ…!

ಕೆಲಸಗಳನ್ನೇ ಕೊಲ್ಲದಿರುವಂತಹ ಕೆಲಸಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಡಿ..!

ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ… ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ…!

ಗ್ರಾಮಗಳನ್ನು ನಾಶಮಾಡದಿರುವಂತಹ ಕೆಲಸ ಕೊಡಿ..!

ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ… ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ…!

ಭೂಮಿ ಬಿಸಿಯಾಗದಿರುವಂತಹ ಕೆಲಸ ಕೊಡಿ..!

ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ… ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ…!

ನೆಲ ಜಲ ಜೀವ ಜಂತುಗಳು ನರಳದಿರುವಂತಹ ಕೆಲಸ ಕೊಡಿ..!

ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ… ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ…!

ಜನರನ್ನು ಒಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ಉಳಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಕೆಲಸ ಕೊಡಿ…!

ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ… ಕೆಲಸಕೊಡಿ…!

Actor Kishore and other satyagrahis at a traffic junction

Noted handloom activist Uzramma speaks to youngsters at the Fashion show organized by Prasad Bidapa.

Noted historian Ramachandra Guha with Prasanna during his indefinite fast

Come…

Let us sit on satyagraha…..

The satyagraha by Gandhi-Ambedkar

The satyagraha that unites cities and villages

The satyagraha by nature lovers

A peaceful satyagraha by women and one and all

It is satyagraha by the youth

The satyagraha is wherever you are……..

GRAM SEVA SANGH

gramsevasanghindia@gmail.com/+091 99800 43911

For more information on the satyagraha: bit.ly/SSE_KAN

Use #SacredEconomy on social media

Let’s Cross Over

#MonsterEconomy is dying, Let’s Cross Over…!

– Prasanna

Monster Economy is dying. But we are unable to accept the fact. Like the children of a dying Grand-old-man, we have put the economy on ventilators; in an expensive hospital, called experts from all over the world, taken suggestions, even when those suggestions are contradictory to each other, and spent huge amounts of, scarce, national and international resource, on the treatment.

We are so completely involved with the dying monster that we don’t even want to go out of the emergency ward and see life as it is being lived. We do not want to notice for example, that even in the few weeks of the Corona Emergency the living world has already started looking livelier. The carbon emission levels have already started to come down and that the atmosphere has started showing signs of recovery. Nor for example do we, see animals (even wild ones) crossing over city streets, deserted and thus safe!

Instead, we want to go quickly back into the death ward, to pump more oxygen on to the dead lungs of the dying man! We are scared! Terribly, terribly, scared! The fact remains that we do not know how to manage without the monster! We do not know how to give up all the comforts that the old system offered! Unlimited travel, unlimited luxury, good looking malls, expensive hotels, connectivity and comfort!

But think! The wild animal crossing the street in a deserted city, whose picture we saw on the social media post, was crossing over and not intending to walk the street. We, on the contrary, have been walking the street, and want to continue to walk the street! We feel scared to crossover! We feel unsure on the natural ground; feel insecure with a hard working life! That’s our dilemma!

Look at it this way! The grand-old-man distributed his wealth unequally. His pet son (10% of the population) got a lion’s share, while the hard working children (90% of the population) had to scramble desperately for food even. The old man never cared for the old woman, meaning the nature! He is like the father in the Dostoevsky novel ‘Brothers Karamazov’. Of course, like in the novel, the monster economy has a few good qualities. For example, being driven by the machine, it looked after the business well. Let’s remember the good qualities, put a nice picture of it on the wall and cross over. In the novel one of the sons of the rascal father is called Alyosha Karamazov. He is a nice human being, almost a saint. We will have to follow his example, whether we like it or not!

Anyway there seems to be no choice. Why should we postpone the inevitable? If we pump more oxygen, the monster may breathe for a couple more years, but each such delay can put the living world to extinction. Let’s do Something.

Prasanna

Playwright, Theatre Director and Social Activist, Gram Seva Sangh

#Karonakuch A Letter

foreign, virus, air pollution — The poor most affected by Corona, through it’s been brought home by the rich

Dear Friend,

Day before yesterday, India shut down completely for a day, as a mark of its resolve to fight Corona virus. It was a tremendous show of solidarity. But, Corona is just one of the many crisis facing humanity. There is global warming, economic slowdown, communal strife, war mongering and, above all acute poverty, to name a few!

poor, corona scare, help, funds — India’s unfortunate that are most vulnerable and unprovided for… #KaronaKuch campaign

hungry, corono scare — Virus or no virus. She needs job and money

What do we do? What sort of Future World would we be giving to our children? Let us ponder over these questions peacefully. In any case, most of us will have very little else to do, apart from pondering, in the next few weeks.

“ stay from home” cannot help these people – give them food and money for their well being

It is interesting! Most of us think that somehow the root of all our problems lies in the moral ground and not on the material ground.

Let’s ponder, introspect and amend ourselves

As a system, I suppose, we became monstrous and neglected the moral ground for a little too long. Whatever developments that we did over the last two centuries, we all know, benefitted only ten percent population. Pushing the other ninety percent people, nature and animal life, into the hell hole of deprivation or degradation! May be, we are being punished for this! Yes, punished by nature, or by god, if you want to call the moral authority that.

Temples, mosques and churches have also tried, are still trying, but haven’t succeeded in remedying the situation. I think the crisis needs a much larger and a more united social push. Such a push is what is called by some people as, secular-social-push. Of course religion is not excluded from such an exercise.

So, let’s all push! But before we do that, let’s discuss the issue first. May be on the social media platforms (Virus free!). And come up with concrete suggestions, such as, simple living, sharing, caring, etc. But, think concretely; think differently, before you suggest different sectors! Kindly use #karonakuch in all your postings, even amongst yourselves.

– Prasanna 24.Mar.2020 (Playwrite, Theater Director & Social Activist, Gram Seva Sangh , Bengaluru)

Gram Seva Sangh

Email ID: gramsevasanghindia@gmail.com | Mobile: 9980043911 | www.gr amsevasangh.org

Flat #102, Shesha Nivas, 1st Block, 1st Main,
Thyagarajanagar, Bengaluru-560028

#KaronaKuch campaign

Corona has made the poor more distressed

relief for poor — Gram Sangh Seva’s #KuckKaro campaign

Dear Friends,

Gram Seva Sangh has launched a Social Media Campaign #KaronaKuch meaning Do Something. This campaign attempts to draw the attention of the people of this country and also the Government, about the plight of the poor people during the last few months economic recession. Especially after the outbreak of Corona Scare.

Do something, poor, KaronaKuch Campaign — Majority of India’s poor segment need funds and assistance #KaronaKuch Campaign

KaronaKuch campaign, poverty, Corono scare — Do something for the needy #KaronaKuch campaign

We would very much like you to take part in the campaign by sharing these messages attached to all your friends and post in your social media platforms with #KaronaKuch

jobs, laborers, unemployment, no money and earnings — No jobs for poor with MGNREGA stopped. How will the daily wage earners survive??

unemployment, wages, laborers, farmers, peasants — Now no employment and earning for the poor with MGNREGA stopped. Government should fund the needy in this Corona crisis.

Any further ideas you have about this campaign, please do not hesitate to share with us. So that those ideas can be incorporated into the campaign, wherever possible.

Note: Try to tag @PMOIndia and other peoples representatives and influencers also, if possible.