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Fellowship
One of SVARAJ’s core areas has been the Fellowship Programme. A dedicated team of individual fellows who use their strengths and knowledge of the most deprived communities to campaign at local, regional and national levels on issues ranging from basic human rights to food security, right to information, disaster preparedness and water concerns.
Svaraj envisages to capitalize, support and build the capacity of committed individuals working in the spirit of voluntarism and alongside the communities at a local level for bringing about community initiatives/actions.
The fellows will actively learn and understand the concerns, the need, and the cause/s of the problems facing the communities, to help deepen the understanding of the roles and responsibilities of citizens, public authorities, private sector in working towards addressing the problems and moving towards a just society in just environment .
It is believed that the “Fellowship” strategy is in consonance with the emerging focus, direction and character of Svaraj as an organization/association of concerned individuals/professionals/intellectuals with a sense of calling to work alongside communities (that we work with) with knowledge and skills to enable them to manage their livelihoods/lives.
List of Fellows supported by SVARAJ
WATER MANAGEMENT FELLOWS
National
Mr. Prafulla Samantara| Jan. 2004-June 2005 and Sept. 2005-Feb. 2006 | Noted social and environmental activist
- Prafulla Samantara is a president of “Lok Shakti Abhiyan” an organization fighting for social and environmental issues
- He has been part of the J.P movement since the 1970’s
- He works with Adivasis in over 100 villages and helps them in protecting their land, forests, and livelihoods all of which are threatened by mining companies
- He is also been working with the media, local government and other civil society organizations to highlight their cause and to bring justice to them
This year, Prafulla has been engaged in many issues across the country including:
- People’s dignity Rally in Delhi
- Addressing workshops on “right to livelihood of displaced victims by development projects
- Advocating sustainable development in place of the present industrial policy destroying natural resources
- Giving evidence to the fact-finding team to investigate allegations against Alumina Company on the destruction of forest area in Kalahndi
- Presenting papers against privatisation of water as a declared policy of Central and State governments
Samantha Says “The fellowship has been helpful in collecting information and materials for creating a new literature to campaign for preservation and conservation of the natural resources which are primary sources of livelihood for millions people. It also enabled me to fight against the detriment and impact of globalisation on people in India"
Mr. Madan Modi| January 2004 – June 2005 | Journalist and activist from Udaipur, Rajasthan
He has been active in our Food Security through Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme in Kotada. Using his position as a journalist he has reported on many issues in several newspapers and magazines– Aparahna, Dynika Bhaskar, Praphahkal, Pathrika, highlighting the plight of the vulnerable communities including a person dying from hunger in Kotada, right to education for orphans and providing adequate nutrition and income.
Mr. Jayaram Barik| January 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005 | Tribal activist and the spirit behind Abhiyan Gram Swaraj, Sundargh
He is promoting Tribal Self Rule Movement in Sundargh. In 2004, Jayaram’s engagement in local issues has led to activities including formation of pluckers and Bidi Women Workers Association asserting rights to increase in the minimum wage and rallying against the unlawful land alienation of tribal people.
WATER MANAGEMENT FELLOWS
Four water fellows have made valuable contribution to our work on water and the debate in the community. They are:
Mr. D.M. Chitrashekar | January – December 2004 |
Chitrashekar, speaking from his experience as a farmer who personally experienced the negative impacts on his livelihood from the drying up of the Arkavathi river, has been able to engage farmers of the need to move away from mono-cropping and water intensive crops. Adopting organic farming as a means of rejuvenating water sources in the area and efficient budgeting of water resources in their region in an area he has worked in.
He says “I see agriculture continuing as an important component of our way of life here in the region. We have the necessarily skills to adopt our land and water usage for maximum benefits not just for us today but for future generations. I am pleased to work on the Arkavathi project where I can use my knowledge to work with the communities in highlighting issues and find suitable solutions to the concerns raised by the communities”.
- He worked on the community mobilisation aspects in Arkavathi basin as a part of SVARAJ’s programme.
- Identified the various stakeholders in rural Arkavathi, specially focussing on portions of Doddaballapur taluk falling in Arkavathi region.
- Developed a working forum of stakeholders of rural Arkavathi consisting of all groups including people’s movements, activists, farmers, NGOs, government departments, academic, scientific institutions and citizens.
Mr. Aiyappa M. Masagi| October 15, 2003 – October 14, 2004 | Water Fellow – Water Harvesting Technologies
He was entrusted with building awareness of rainwater harvesting and recharging of ground water techniques among the people of Karnataka. He continues to popularise the techniques of borewell recharging among the farmers calling on his extensive expertise in water technologies to give authority to his actions. His zeal in the field was an added advantage.
Mr. C.S. Parthasarathy | April 10, 2002 – December 31, 2004 |
He brought to the project his vast experience of working with the Dalit Movement of Karnataka. His contribution has proved invaluable in taking the debate forward on the need for equitable distribution of water amongst the Dalit communities. He strongly asserts that unless water is considered as a public resource it cannot be visualized as an equity issue. His firm belief is that the community should regulate this resource and look into its equitable distribution. He is also involved with the Madiga Reservation struggle.
Mr. K. C. Shivaramaiah | Jan 2005 –Till Date |
Shivaramia who came in with media expertise has worked closely with project officers, technical experts and communities to increase his understanding of the issues around water and help advance an awareness progamme on issues related to water scarcity in the region. He has written and published several articles in Kannada daily newspapers. He also interviewed Dr. Lingaraju (who was the former head of the Geomatic Centre) on Bangalore Doordarshan TV discussing the Arkavati project. He is building a good portfolio of audio/visual library as well as articles as reference materials for SVARAJ and communities.
He says “My fellowship with SVARAJ on the Water project has greatly increased my understanding of the issue and the need to strengthen the communities directly affected to bring about long term sustainability to the problems of water scarcity in the region. I intend to use my skills and knowledge and the expertise SVARAJ is building around this area to highlight concerns and seek joint solutions using press and media".
Ms. R. Sival | Oct 3, 2006 – March 31, 2007 | Water Fellow - Attappady, Palghat, Kerala
Attappady is a tribal pocket in Kerala, and Sival is native of that area. She is active in mobilizing community and implementation various government schemes for health care, education, women etc for more than 17 years. She is experienced in working with programmes related to soil and water conservation, afforestation and sustainable agriculture. She is also a member of Governing Body of Attappady Hill Area Development Society (AHADS).
In the present work, she will be mobilizing and making aware of local women group for natural resource management and conservation. She will also develop a demonstrational plot in her own area, for popularizing traditional multi crop tribal organic cultivation.
