Gram Seva Sangh, an Organisation working to revive livelihoods of the rural and marginalised communities of India and bridge the gap between the urban and rural communities, have been pressing the Government recently to focus on developing the Sacred Economy.
Campaigning for the revival of the Sacred Economy
In short, the Sacred economy are those jobs that have been neglected to be developed in the current economic system and therefore this section of the workforce have become marginalised groups struggling to make a living, as these jobs have been destroyed but still they hold relevance.
Our farmers, labourers, small traders, vendors, khadhi designers, crafts men, garment factory workers, fishermen, etc , need to thrive and this is possible only when the Sacred Economy is revived through refinance, zero taxes and restructuring of the economy.
Gram Seva Sangh, started a Satyagraha campaign in support of the Sacred Economy to get the Government to hear the demands to revive the Sacred Economy and respond positively.
The wisdom behind the Sacred Economy embodies the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, who embraced khadhi and chakra supporting them because he rightly believed they represent India’s strong, traditional, domestic economy that has given livelihoods to many people, making them self reliant to lead a life of dignity. Traditionally, the Indian economy has been giving jobs to weavers, farmers, khadhi designers and others who have unfortunately become marginalised groups today .
So, in tune with this philosophy inspired by Bapuji’s wisdom, Gram Seva Sangh adopted the non-violent yet powerful weapon of Satyagraha and launched a Hunger Sathyagraha campaign to have the Government officials hear the demands for Sacred Economy and take needed positive action.
Satyagraha began on Oct 2, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday
The Hunger Satyagraha in support of Sacred economy began on October 2, 2019 which was Ganjayanthi, the day, the Nation celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji. The venue the Satyagraha took place was at Vallabh Niketan, Bangalore.
Fasting Satyagrahis in support of the Sacred Economy
From October 2 to October 5th, the Satyagraha had fasting done by many supporters of this cause for a day taking turns, but from October 6th, the Satyagraha led into an indefinite fast done by Gandhian, theater artist and founder of Gram Seva Sangh, 68 year old Prasanna who is also the founder of Chakra, an Organisation that has given livelihoods to hundreds of women since 1995 employing them in making garments using khadhi.
From Oct 2th to 5th, whenGram Sangh Seva was in its relay fasting stage, we had the following supporters who fasted for a day or more taking turns in support of the Sacred economy – Abhilash, convenor of Gram Sangh Seva, Abhilash, convenor of Gram Sangh Seva, SR Hiremath, anti-corruption crusader, whistleblower and social activist, Abay , convenor of Grakoos (Gramina Cooli Karmikara Sangathi), Hanumath Yeswar, IAS aspirant, Kusuma Shanbhag, kannada journalist.
Satyagraha called off on assurances provided by Union Minister, Sadananda
The Satyagraha was called off on October 11th, as Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizer Minister, Sadananda gave assurance that he would arrange a meeting with Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitaram and the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises(MSME) where Gram Seva Sangh members can put forward their demands in person.
Prasanna had broken his indefinite fast after 6 days of fasting on the 118th birth anniversary of Jayaprakash Narayan.
Prominent personalities who supported the Sathyagraha
There were many noted individuals who lent voice and support to strengthen the campaign with cenetarian freedom fighter, H. S. Doreswamy, environmentalist, Vandana Shiva, famous Gandhian, EP Menon, historian, Ramchandra Guha, journalist Ravindra Tripathi and many more emitent social activists, environmentalists, journalists, artists, writers who supported the campaign speaking up for revival of Sacred Economy.
The Sathyagraha found support from well known political figures as well – former Prime Minister Shree HD Devegowda , former CM Siddaramaiah , Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, S.Suresh Kumar, Karnatak Janata Dal United president,Mr Mahima J Patel , former speaker of Karnataka assembly, Mr Ramesh Kumar, had all visited the venue of Satyagraha and met Satyagrahi Prasanna, and expressed their solidarity for the cause.
Dr. Ashwathnarayan C. N., Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Minister for Higher & Medical Education, IT & BT, Science & Technology also visited the venue to understand the demands of Gram Seva Sangh for revival of the Sacred Economy, and later Union Minister, Sadananda visited and took it upon himself to have Gram Sangh Seva’s expert committee get a meeting with Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitaram and the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises(MSME) so they can discuss these wise Sacred Economy demands with the Government.
Work to strengthen the campaign continues…
Gram Sangh Seva continues its campaign in support for Sacred Economy. This initial phase of Satyagraha had succeeded in getting the message across to the Government and getting assurance from Union Minister, Sadananda in arranging a meeting with the Finance Ministry where Gram Sangh Seva’s expert committee can discuss the Sacred Economy demands.
Please read about the release of the Sacred Economy demands that happened during the Satyagraha.
Concluding this with a poem composed highlighting Gram Sangh Seva’s demand for reviving the Sacred Economy -:
“Give jobs, give jobs, give us those jobs that keep the green,
Give jobs, give jobs, give us those jobs that keep civilisation civilised,
Give jobs, give jobs, give us those jobs that don’t kill jobs,
Give jobs, give jobs, give us those jobs that do not kill villages,
Give jobs, give jobs, give us those jobs that do not change the climate,
Give jobs, give job, give us those jobs those jobs that keep nature natural,
Give us jobs, give us jobs”
