Wardha, India By Peter Dougherty - November 17, 2009
Bob Alexander and I left Mumbai on Friday
night, November 13, on the Vidarbha Express train for the city of Wardha in the
state of Maharashtra, India.
Dr.
H.M. Desarda, an Indian Economist and professor, accompanied us on our journey
and acted as our interpreter. I have had several enriching conversations with
him about Gandhi’s vision of alternative economics and return to environmental
wholeness.
On the overnight train ride, we were fortunate to ride with Dr. Sharad Kulkarni,
project Director of rural development in the northeast part of the state of
Maharashtra. We were impressed with his commitment to the poor villagers of his
district, providing ways to empower them with work, improved agriculture,
health, and more. He works in the tribal district that has the violent Naxalite
movement. They are radical communists, supportive of Maoist political sentiment
and ideology. He moves fearlessly through the region.
Wardha is the sight of famous ashrams of both Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave,
the next most esteemed spiritual nonviolent freedom fighter of the 20th century
in India. Bhave, after Indian independence in 1947, walked the length and
breadth of India inspiring landowners in villages to give four million acres of
land to fellow villagers who were landless.
Each
year Gandhians from around the country gather in Wardha for two days for what
they call the “Friends Meeting.” It is always around November 15, the date Bhave
died in 1982. They gather at an Ashram founded for women by him, as part of the
struggle for the empowerment of women in India. Today 22 Sisters are there,
living the vow of celibacy, and carrying on the tradition of simplicity of life.
We met Swasti Bhattacharyya, one of the Sisters, who grew up as a child in this
Ashram with her family. They live the ideal of self-sufficiency, growing all
their own organic food, weaving their own clothes made of Khadi spun from
cotton, providing for their own basic health needs and education. Ashrams are a
complete rejection of the consumerist way of life.
We visited Vasantrao Bombatkar, an organic farmer, in his home. He had gone to
villages during the freedom struggle to teach village farmers effective organic
farming. Gandhi was impressed with his work, and told him he should make it his
mission to teach farmers his methods throughout India. That is what he did for
several decades.
Bob and I were able to speak to the Friends Meeting assembled in a large tent,
holding about 300 people. As I did everywhere, I spoke of Michigan Peace Team’s
work of carrying on Gandhi’s vision of Shanti Sena – Peace Army. Bob spoke about
the current situation in the U.S. with the election and presidency of Barack
Obama.
I met Dr. Ramjee Singh. Gandhi had made him the organizer of Shanti Sena –
Peace Army - in the days of the freedom struggle. This included many
demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience in campaigns during the 1930s and
1940s.
Many who were part of the freedom struggles 60-plus years ago, and now their
children, continue in service especially to the poor to change things. Half of
India remains below the poverty level. There is a large middle class. 70 % of
people live in the 700,000 villages, but the momentum grows of people moving
into the cities.
As we prepare to leave India, I am filled with the sense of privilege. We have
met many people committed to Sarvodoya – Gandhi’s vision of the uplift of
all.
Calcutta
and West Bengal Are Alive
Peter Dougherty, November 13, 2009
Walking into small villages in the West Bengal
State of India was experiencing a mix of beauty and painful poverty. The lush
garden setting with beautiful palms trees and verdant rice paddies was Mother
Earth in her finery. But the poverty was stark and stunning.
In Phuleswar, a village of 1,500 west of
Calcutta, the poor people successfully closed down the
jute plant in a nonviolent campaign.
They are demanding justice in wages and
workplace. In the past, such successful action would bring owners to their knees
and they would come to some terms with the workers. Today, however that owner is
getting along fine. The government is subsidizing the owner’s loss - because the
workers shut the plant down. Such is the behavior of governments in the
globalization of the economy.
This and other villages are part of the New
Global Freedom Movement (NGFM), initiated by Shrikumar Poddar and others in
India, to empower the impoverished and help them achieve Gandhi’s vision of
their own and society’s transformation.
NGFM set up my coming to these villages to
exchange experiences of our struggles for justice. I shared some stories of
dramatic success in other parts of the world. We draw insight and encouragement
from one another. The basic question the villagers wrestle with is: what is
their next step?
In Haripur, far to the southwestern part of the state, the people heard of the
government plan to build a nuclear power plant next to their village.
They put out the call throughout the whole region to
resist this. Within a few days, four thousand came to the site and carried on a
nonviolent “occupation” of the site, dramatizing their opposition and commitment
to resistance. Since then, they have some indication that the government is
about to abandon the plan. Gandhian nonviolence is at work. NGFM arranged for me
to meet with people in the town. I was warmly greeted, and they told me of some
of their experience.
I shared some of mine, and led a few role plays of how some nonviolent resisters
have diffused police violence against them during nonviolent demonstrations.
GPN
set up my meeting with respected Gandhian centers in and around Calcutta. These
men and women were part of the struggle for the independence of India, led by
Mahatma Gandhi. They warmly greeted me, and I offered my vision and thoughts of
peace, and informed them of our
work with Michigan Peace Team. There are many dramatic campaigns for
justice going on in India, in the midst of society’s poverty and corruption.
I had
never heard of an “acupuncture hospital” before staying at The Indian Research
Institute for Integrated Medicine. It is across the river from Calcutta in
Howrah. Dr. Debasis Bakshi’s place is a small, all-natural therapy haven, using
tradition (non-western) and alternative systems of healing, including
acupuncture, Yoga, Naturopathy, all-organic vegetarian foods, etc. They grow
many of the foods and medicinal
herbs for themselves and their patients.
The
loving care is part of the healing. They treat almost every kind of
illness. They rehabilitate drug addicts here.
Healing and nonviolent resistance to
the violence – two basic ingredients of the
world we are trying to hold up and imitate.
US peace activists
want fellow Gandhians to talk to Maoists Kolkata, Nov 13 (PTI):
As the government struggles to find a solution to the vexed Maoist problem, a
prominent Gandhian from the US has called upon followers of the Mahatma to take
the lead in bringing the rebels on the road to peace.
"You have prominent Gandhians in India. They are the ones who will have to go
(to the Maoists). I would appeal to them to go and sit down with the (Maoist)
leaders and talk to them," Roman Catholic priest Fr. Peter Dougherty, awarded
the Jamnalal Bajaj Award recently for promoting Gandhian thoughts abroad, said
here.
Asked if he himself would like to go to the Maoists for peace
talks, Dougherty, founder of the Michigan Peace Team (MPT) that makes
non-violence peace interventions in the US and abroad, said as a foreigner, he
could not do that.
"One thing we have to be very careful about is that we do not
want to perpetuate the arrogance of the American empire that tells the world
what it can do and what it cannot. We come humbly to do what the people want. We
go where when we are invited by the people," he said.
Dougherty, who is also an international trainer in
peace-building methods, said the Maoists were not unaware of Gandhi and his
philosophy of non-violence.
"But they will most likely say non-violence doesn't work.
Speak to them, treat them like human beings and listen to them. The power of
lovingly listening is non-violent tolerance," he said.
Attributing the rise of Maoism to unequal distribution of wealth, Dougherty said
when people felt oppressed, it was natural for them to retaliate violently or
non-violently. "We need to tell (the Maoists) that we are with them and
that we appreciate their problems are unbearable. We have to treat them like
people, every one of them. The problem is, we tend to demonize those who are
different," he said.
Dougherty, who arrived in India on October 30 on his maiden
visit to the country, said he had been requested by activists in Delhi to send a
team of the MPT to impart peace training.
During his stay here from November 7 to 11, he met agitating
workers of some closed jute mills and interacted with protesters at the site of
proposed nuclear power plant at Haripur in East Midnapore district.
"I describe myself as a human being on a journey to build a
better world starting with myself and then build a community. The MPT is that
community which teaches people in the US and elsewhere to be non-violent
warriors from Palestine to Mexico," he said.
From The Times of India:
US priest's Gandhigiri class at N-plant site
Achintyarup Ray, TNN 12 November 2009, 04:53am IST
KOLKATA: A Catholic priest from Michigan came all the way to a
coastal hamlet of Bengal to give lessons in Gandhigiri to villagers resisting
the government's move to set up a nuclear plant. A Gandhian himself, Father
Charles Peter Dougherty preached to the people of Haripur the value of
non-violence and the strategy and tactics of a non-violent movement.
Father Dougherty, who has come to India to receive this year's Jamnalal Bajaj
Award for promoting Gandhism outside India, visited Haripur in East Midnapore on
Tuesday to experience how the villagers there are preparing to face the might of
the state.
Around two weeks ago, the Central government announced its decision to set up a
nuclear power plant at this village with the help of a Russian firm. It may be
recalled that in 2006, the villagers of Haripur had forced a team from the
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to go back without visiting the
proposed site for the plant. This despite the fact that the team was accompanied
by policemen.
"It was a wonderful experience meeting the villagers. I told them a few things
and learned a lot myself from them. I came to know how three years ago thousands
of people had challenged a police force with non-violence. It was really
remarkable," said Dougherty.
"He visited several hamlets here and took a class on Gandhism and non-violence
at Boguran Jalpai village. Around 15 of us attended the class," said Robin Bunia,
a fishermen activist of Haripur.
"Dougherty told us about Gandhiji's movements, shared with us his own
experiences and taught us a few tactics. He showed us how to face the police in
a non-violent way, how to prevent policeman from attacking one of us and how to
control a fellow activist if he loses his cool and goes to attack the police.
For us, the demonstrations were very timely and very important. He even showed
us how to tackle the situation if police or politicians deliberately try to
create a situation of unrest," said Debashis Shyamal, convener of the Haripur
Paramanu Bidyut Prakalpa Protirodh Andolan.
But what prompted the US citizen to visit Haripur of all places? "I came to
India to receive an award. And I wanted to see places where people are fighting
for their rights in a non-violent manner. So my friends took me to Haripur,"
said the septuagenarian Gandhian.
Dougherty honoured for promoting Gandhian values outside India
Mumbai, Nov 7 (PTI) :
A 75-year-old American national, who has been
promoting Gandhian principles and ideals outside India for more than
three decades, was honoured at the 32nd Jamnalal Bajaj Awards in the
metropolis.
Father
Peter Dougherty from Michigan, a Catholic priest, peace activist and a
specialist in non-violence received the 'International Award for
promoting Gandhian values outside India' from the Jamnalal Bajaj
Foundation last evening at the Y B Chouhan Centre here.
"I am honoured and humbled...This is an incredible
privilege," said Doughtery, who has devoted almost 33 years of his life
in support of abolition of nuclear weapons and forming a Shanti Sena to
go into conflict zones in Bosnia, Middle East and Central America aiming
at world peace .
The awards constitutes a trophy and a cash
prize of Rs five lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Minal Bajaj, Director
Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, said, "It feels good that people living in
both India and western countries follow Mahatma Gandhi's principles and
ideologies."
Other recipients who were felicitated on the
occasion include Lavanam from Vijaywada, Ayyappa Masagi from Bangalore
and Dr Jaya Arunchalam from Chennai.
The awards were presented for valuable work in four categories-
constructive work, science and technology for rural development,
development of welfare of women and children and for promotion of
Gandhian values outside India.
Masagi, who worked with L&T as a mechanical engineer for 24 years
received the award for his contribution to Science and Technology in
Rural Development. In 1994, Masagi conducted his first experiment
on water conservation mainly to save his own farm in his native village
Veerapura in Karnataka. Later, he developed several innovative and cost
effective sub-surface water conservation structures to ensure guaranteed
crop even in scanty rains in the traditionally drought prone areas of
North Karnataka.
Dr Arunchalam, President of Working Women's
Forum (India), a social organization, working to develop
potential of poor women workers in the informal sector was presented the
award for Development of welfare of women and children. WWF
enhances the social and financial independence of poor women, provides
low interest loans to encourage entrepreneurship, facilitates poor women
in their struggle to fight for labour, land housing rights for
themselves and their children.
Lavanam (79), another Gandhian who was honoured
with the Constructive Work Award, has worked for settlements of criminal
tribes in Andhra Pradesh, counselled them and provided alternative
methods of livelihood to them.
Some of them were also given soft interest loans to open small shops,
tea stalls, bicycle repair shops, he said. The septuagenarian said that
his interest in social work began when he was 12 and since then he has
continuing with his endeavour to change lives.
All the awardees said they were privileged to
receive such an award and it drives them to do more work.
The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation
was established in 1977 in the memory of Jamnalal Bajaj, a close
associate of Mahatma Gandhi. The Foundation promotes Gandhian
constructive programmes and assists people who have devoted themselves
to the national cause.
Update: Nov. 11, 2009
Peter Dougherty and Karen Donahue returned to Mumbai on
Thursday morning (5 November) and were immediately taken up in activities
surrounding the Bajaj Foundation Awards ceremony.
They attended a luncheon hosted by Mr. Shrikuar Poddar at his home in Mumbai.
The other Bajaj awardees also attended. Later in the day, Peter and Karen joined
the other awardees at a dinner hosted by the Bajaj family at Bajaj offices. The
five Bajaj brothers and their spouses greeted the guests and provided a lovely
dinner. There was also a short presentation on the history of the Bajaj
Foundation and sketch of the work of each of the four 2009 Bajaj Foundation
award winners.
On
Friday morning, the four award winner participated in a press conference at the
Bajaj offices. Representatives from a number of media outlets were present. They
had opportunities to dialogue with the awardees. After the conference, members
of the media and the awardees were invited to lunch.
The actual awards ceremony took place at 5:00 p.m. on Friday at an auditorium in
downtown Mumbai. Awardees sat on the stage along with members of the Bajaj
family and members of the selection committee. The presenter read a citation and
presented the award to each winner, after which the winner gave her/his
acceptance speech. Peter spoke eloquently of the influence of Ghandi on his own
journey and on the work of Michigan Peace Team.
About 600 people attended the ceremony. At the conclusion of the formal program,
guests were invited to dinner in an
open patio area.
On Saturday, Peter and Karen had lunch with Mr. Shrikumar Poddar and will join
him for dinner this evening at the home of Mr. Sanjay Doctor. Karen leaves for
the airport later in the evening and Peter flies to Calcutta early Sunday
morning.
In an email from Peter: "The Jamnalal Bajaj award ceremony here in Mumbai was
a big formal event. Over 300 were there. The four of us awardees (3 Indian, 1
international) were introduced, given a large statue and large citation, and
financial award. We each spoke after receiving our awards. A prominent Yogi was
guest speaker. I accented that Gandhi's vision of Shanti Sena - Peace Army -
is exactly what we are doing, teaching, promoting as Michigan Peace Team. I
also brought out the irony that a handful of years ago I tried to come to India
with Sheri Wander, as the two MPT representatives to the first global gathering
of the Nonviolent Peaceforce in Delhi. I was never granted a visa, because of my
Gandhian activism and civil disobedience. Now here I am, a few years later,
receiving a Gandhi award, and I would not have gotten the visa this time if it
were not for the Bajaj Foundation influence! Karen Donahue heads back to
Michigan tomorrow. We have been a good team together. I head in the morning to
Calcutta. Peace, Peter"
Peter Dougherty receiving gift of Gandhi books from Director of Gandhi Museum in
Mumbai
The Times of India
had launched this "LEAD INDIA video", which we find very motivational...
the background track is in Hindi language.
It urges the listener
to take a first, positive step: the rest will follow.
The
Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation of Mumbai, India has announced that the 2009
recipient of its international award recognizing contributions to Gandhian
values outside of India has been awarded to Michigan Peace Team’s Rev. C.
Peter Dougherty. The prestigious award will be formally presented at a
special function on Friday, November 6th in Mumbai.
The International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India was
instituted by the Foundation in 1988 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
birth of Jamnalal Bajaj. Jamnalal Bajaj was a devout follower of Gandhi. He was
also an industrialist, a philanthropist, and Indian independence fighter. Gandhi
adopted Bajaj as his fifth son.
“I’m honored and humbled”, said Dougherty, co-founder of Michigan Peace Team.
“This is an incredible privilege; and that it comes from such an honorable
organization, with such an honorable history, means all that much more”.
This venerated award carries a citation, a beautiful trophy and a cash prize of
500,000 rupees [approximately $10,000 USD]. It is given every year to a
non-Indian citizen for their contribution in promoting Gandhian values outside
India by:
Promoting peace and harmony among people and friendliness
among nations through application of Gandhian philosophy of truth and
non-violence.
Ending exploitation in any form and seeking solution of
social, cultural, economic and political problems through Gandhian
principles and constructive programs.
Demonstrating innovative work in social organizations
with a view to promoting Gandhian values of purity of means and ends by
awakening moral conscience, fostering community, self-reliance and bringing
about harmony of human life with nature.
Previous recipients include Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South
Africa and Dr. Daisaku Ikeda of Japan.
WHILE IN INDIA...
Peter and MPT Peace Team member Karen Donahue (who
arrived in Mumbai on October 30th) plan to meet with Gandhian and other peace
activists in Mumbai, Delhi, Wardha, Calcutta, and villages in Bengal. They
will share information about peacemaking efforts in the United States and India,
and do nonviolent skills sharing (including demonstrations of the skills taught
in Michigan Peace Team's curriculum). They will also spend time at the ashrams
of Mahatma Gandhi and his disciple Vinoba Bave - - ashrams that played an
integral part in the development of Gandhi’s life and mission.
Michigan Peace Team was founded in 1993 to provide training in active
nonviolence, and deploys peace teams into places of conflict (both domestically
and internationally) to reduce violence. MPT convenes, supports, and
participates with local peace action groups and gatherings, and mentors
individuals seeking experience with international tams in places of conflict. It
also educates the public to the vision and practice of active nonviolence.
Dr.
H.M. Desarda, an Indian Economist and professor, accompanied us on our journey
and acted as our interpreter. I have had several enriching conversations with
him about Gandhi’s vision of alternative economics and return to environmental
wholeness.
Each
year Gandhians from around the country gather in Wardha for two days for what
they call the “Friends Meeting.” It is always around November 15, the date Bhave
died in 1982. They gather at an Ashram founded for women by him, as part of the
struggle for the empowerment of women in India. Today 22 Sisters are there,
living the vow of celibacy, and carrying on the tradition of simplicity of life.
We met Swasti Bhattacharyya, one of the Sisters, who grew up as a child in this
Ashram with her family. They live the ideal of self-sufficiency, growing all
their own organic food, weaving their own clothes made of Khadi spun from
cotton, providing for their own basic health needs and education. Ashrams are a
complete rejection of the consumerist way of life. 
Calcutta
and West Bengal Are Alive
GPN
set up my meeting with respected Gandhian centers in and around Calcutta. These
men and women were part of the struggle for the independence of India, led by
Mahatma Gandhi. They warmly greeted me, and I offered my vision and thoughts of
peace, and informed them of our
work with Michigan Peace Team. There are many dramatic campaigns for
justice going on in India, in the midst of society’s poverty and corruption.
medicinal
herbs for themselves and their patients. 
illness. They rehabilitate drug addicts here. 
Father
Peter Dougherty from Michigan, a Catholic priest, peace activist and a
specialist in non-violence received the 'International Award for
promoting Gandhian values outside India' from the Jamnalal Bajaj
Foundation last evening at the Y B Chouhan Centre here.
They attended a luncheon hosted by Mr. Shrikuar Poddar at his home in Mumbai.
The other Bajaj awardees also attended. Later in the day, Peter and Karen joined
the other awardees at a dinner hosted by the Bajaj family at Bajaj offices. The
five Bajaj brothers and their spouses greeted the guests and provided a lovely
dinner. There was also a short presentation on the history of the Bajaj
Foundation and sketch of the work of each of the four 2009 Bajaj Foundation
award winners.
open patio area.
WHILE IN INDIA...