Sampark not only works for development, but also works for changing traditions of tribal society to bring about sustainable changes in the society. In the very initial stages, the organisation realised that the tribal society had a way of life, which was adversely influenced by the modern way of life and the market. As a result tribals started spending a huge part of their income on non-productive activities and despite several governmental and non-governmental efforts their status did not change.
The organisation realised that unless these bad customs were removed and good traditions re-established, it was not possible to bring about any change in the tribal society. It is because of this realisation, the organisation included social traditions and changes in all its interventions so much so that the organisation does not start any developmental work in any village till the village agrees to changing social norms.
Every work starts with the formation of groups in the village. Only through these groups, developmental, reformative and public advocacy issue are carried forward. The groups are led by local village residents and activities move ahead only on the basis of suggestions and cooperation of these groups.
Group organisation leads to the formation of Lok Jagriti Manch, which play important role in carrying forward initiatives on social issues affecting tribal society. Every year annual congregation of Lok Jagriti Manch, called Gramotsava (village festival), is held. During the Gramotsava, representatives of villages associated with Lok Jagriti Manch sit together and discuss strategy to make their society better. During this period, necessary rules are formulated and review of last year’s work is also done. It is mandatory for all the members of the organisation to follow them.
Following the interventions, adji-padji tradition (labour barter) has expanded to most of the villages, and even beyond intervention area. The people have accepted this as self-owned programme. Similarly, women go to their parental homes during rakhi festival only with one coconut and this tradition has been re-established widely. For death feast, nukta is being organised with community contribution and the menu has been simplified to items like daal-baati instead of costly lugdi-poori.
Though daapaa (price paid by groom to the parents of bride), expensive marriages, quarrels, etc., have decreased, it is not progressing as expected. There is need to work further in this regard. Since interests of market, police stations and brokers are associated with these traditions, difficulties are being faced in establishing them and considerable time is being consumed. Strategy has been changed a little bit in this regard and it has been decided that sound system will be allowed to be put up for two days and instead of daapaa, groom may pay to the family of bride Rs 5,000 cash or 500 g of silver. It has been repeatedly realised at Gramotsava that change will come with time, but there was need to take harsh steps.
During recent years, apart from social reforms, villagers have become quite vocal on farmers’ problems. These include institutional fraud loans, globalisation, adverse effect on lives and means of livelihood owing to wrong government polices. Issues like crop insurance, loans thrust upon under lift irrigation scheme, losses by BT seeds, etc., were put before everyone and the organisation prepared strategy for its interventions.
Lok Jagriti Manch extends cooperation to the panchayats for their smooth running. Similarly, gram panchayats extend them cooperation on organisational issues. The organisation makes efforts to strengthen panchayati raj system. Issues of the organisation are included in the agenda of gram sabha and with the concurrence of gram sabha they are adopted as resolutions of gram panchayats. It also coordinates with the Sarpanch Sangha, a network of Sarpanches of 72 gram panchayats of Petlawad development block.
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