Activists to revive and revisit Badanawalu Sathyagrah

MYSURU: In early nineties non-discrete Badanwalu village in Nanjangud taluk of the district was in the news when village witnessed a bloody war between the caste Hindus and Dalits.
Now this village located about forty kms from here is going to hit the headline once again in the coming days, but for a right reason. Artists, activists and leaders of various pro-people movements are descending on the village on April 19 to formally launch an agitation to popularize "sustainable way of living" by symbolically holding a meeting of people from the area and telling them the importance of the sustainable life style in the wake of increased onslaught of modern gadgets and inputs.
For this noble and unique protest and agitation, village Khadi and Gramudyoga centre visited by none other than father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi and located on a sprawling 10 acres of land has provided a perfect setting for the launch. Centre which is in shambles is being temporarily resurrected by a team of artists led by noted theatre personality and activist Prasanna. Many activists from various fields of life are not only lending their support, they are even staying at this place along with Prasanna who has pitched his camp at Khadi centre where buildings of the centre are already in dilapidated condition. Even place is full of herbs and shrubs inhabited with various creatures particularly the snakes and lizards.
According to Prasann they have selected this place because of the fact that Khadi and cottage industries centre here which was started in nineteen thirties provided jobs to the village people, especially women and they want to revive the then movement of Mahtma Gandhi. Now by launching the agitation from here, they are going to prove the country people that future of the country lies in the encouragement of avocations which are dependent on human energy and less dependent or no dependent on various fuels and powers whose stocks have already started dwindling. “Every body in the country should start thinking of farmers, weavers and producers of hand made goods and this is the intention of agitation Prasanna discloses, clarifying that this movement is not against any government or individual. In a democratic set up if one puts forth a demand, it looks like they are supporting a particular government or against it” he deciphers, pointing out how successive governments have failed to evolve a sustainable life module. He said their intention of the movement is to create awareness among the people, particularly villagers who are adversely affected by industrialization of all fields including agriculture. Prasanna also feels that no movement will succeed without the involvement of people and this needs sustained efforts and this was the reason they are residing at this village braving all hazards of life in a bushy area dotted by dilapidated buildings.
Another activist and Lohiaite Anil Hegde who is associated with Prasanna and touring villages to invite the farmers for this meet said intention is to make the people know what is “sustainable living style” and how to get it.
Nowadays, e-cottage industries which provided jobs to millions of rural people have become redundant with the invasion of modern industries and through this long drawn battle, they want to make farmers and village people to realize the importance of these work based industries and production, he added. Pointing out how a survey in China discloses daily 9000 children falling illin China following poisonous emissions from textile industries in a particular province, Hegde said all government forgot Gandhiji’s saying that "one could fulfill the needs of a man but not his greed". "We want to show that we can meet the peoples needs by adopting sustainable life style and not greed," he said sounding optimistic on this movement spreading all over the country.