Dhanbad-4th March 2003: Desh Bachao Desh Banao Abhiyan, inaugurated at
Plachimada (in front of the Coca-Cola factory where people?s struggle is
going on for assuring right to livelihood and resources) in Palakkad
district
of Kerala, and led by NAPM national leaders Medha Patkar, Sandeep Pandey
et.al entered Jharkhand today.

The Abhiyan was inaugurated on 26th January and it will be concluded at
Ayodhya on March 30. This is an attempt for evolving alternative political
processes that will stand up against the anti-people and anti-nature
ideology
of globalisation and communalism promoted by the politico-economic power
holders. While inaugurating the Abhiyan, freedom fighter and veteran
Gandhian, Shri.Siddharaj Dhaddha announced his decision to reject the Padma
Bhushan conferred on him by the Indian Government, stating that the present
Government of India has been following anti-people policies.

We feel that globalisation and communalism combined together is able to
destroy the diversity of life, culture, production processes and even the
very roots of survival.

The Abhiyan has already covered more than 10 states and yet to go through
atleast 9 more states before reaching Ayodhya.

At all the places where receptions and meetings were held, a very wide cross
section of the society came together supporting the objectives of this
Abhiyan. This includes political parties, trade unions, human rights
movements, environmental activists, intellectuals, professionals,
unorganized
labour groups, women?s groups, youth organisations, farmers groups, etc. The
response to the Abhiyan is very positive which indicate that the people are
looking for real alternative politico-economic paradigms.

The campaign will lead to a sustained struggle by the people against
corrupt,
anti-people politics and economy. The campaign will focus on the following
key issues ?
? Right of the village communities to the natural resources such as water,
land and forests, fish and minerals.
? Right to life and livelihood of every person. Right to work.
? A new paradigm of alternative development with equality, justice and
sustainability as value and goals and suitable technology, democratic
planning and the cooperative enterprises as the means.
? No to Globalisation, Privatisation and WTO.
? Struggle against casteism and communalism and adherence to social equity
and secularism.
? Opposing corrupt political process, striving for right to information,
clean and accountable representatives of people and decentralized democracy.

The campaign will take up these issues to the people, consult with them and
formulate the concrete programme to follow. It will pave the way for a
National People?s Movement with a people centered approach concerning
political and economic paradigm. We invite people of all walks of life to
be
a part of this Abhiyan to save the Nation and build a new Nation.


Vishwanath Bagi Sanjay M.G. Philip Mathew