On December 1st 2019, Sunday, Gram Seva Sangh organised a joint Convention at Kondajji Basappa Auditorium, Palace Road, Bengaluru, propelling forward the ‘Sacred Economy’ movement that is, ‘Satyagraha in support of the Sacred Economy’.
The Convention opened with inauguration done by eminent societal change agents – freedom fighter and 94 year old weaver; Sangappa Mante, Narmada Bachao Activist; Medha Patkar, corruption crusader activist; S R Hiremath, labour leader and KIEE Federation President; T.S.Anantaram, Gandhian theater artist, social activist and founder of Gram Seva Sangh; Prasanna, and Gram Seva Sangh President; Yatiraju.
The inauguration symbolised the value Gram Sangh Seva and their partners hold in conservation of environment as it was done by watering a sapling plant.
The Joint Convention provided a forum for leaders representing various groups, unions and federations of unorganised sector- farmers, weavers, industrial labourers, rural labourers, Anganwadi workers, Povrakarmika workers, to gather and voice out their struggles, issues while also join forces to strengthen the local people’s movement demanding the Government to revive the ‘Sacred Economy’.
‘Sacred Economy’ gives value, dignity and respect to these marginalised groups today recognising that their work which involves physical labour is ‘Sacred’. This sector that exists in both urban and rural regions must be revived through Zero Tax, Refinance and Restructuring of all Sacred sectors of Economy. An economy that supports the livelihoods and businesses of small industries, rural entrepreneurs, small vendors, textile and garment workers, labourers, farmers and others is needed to save the Nation from the economic and environmental crisis that has resulted today.
Gram Seva Sangh, an NGO that has been actively involved in the promotion of goods made by rural artisans, weavers, khadhi and handloom workers, farmers etc by providing them a marketing platform through Ragi Khanna, an enterprise they run in Bangalore , have also done prior campaigns urging the Government to remove GST tax from handloom garment products.
Lately, in view of our Nation suffering an acute environmental and economic crisis, Gram Seva Sangh has championed the need to embrace an alternate economic system that’s just, sustainable and equitable; The Sacred Economy, with the ‘Satyagraha in support of the Sacred Economy’ movement . Gram Seva Sangh has been reaching out to various marginalised groups from all parts of Karnataka and society at large spreading awareness and garnering supporters for the cause to revive the Sacred Economy.
Going further in the upcoming weeks till January 30th, Gram Seva Sangh would hold People’s Courts in various parts of Karnataka where the badly affected but voiceless class of people will be empowered to put forth their voice expressing their concerns and issues for a discussion to work out solutions for them.
People’s courts for landless labourers and weavers would be organised in North Karnataka. Bengaluru will hold courts for industrial workers mainly in Jigani and Peenya areas. Chamarajanagar will hold people court sessions for Peasants, while environmental issues and complaints of those impacted by the Special Economic Zone would be heard out in Chamarajanagar.
Press release about the Joint Convention –
