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Mahila Shanti SenaCompiled by: Dr. Rama Singh, Professor, Department of Biology and Centre for Peace Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Ph: (905) 525-9140 ext. 24378, Fax: (905) 522-6066; singh@mcmaster.ca; www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/gandhi

W O M E N ’ S P E A C E B R I G A D E I N T E R N A T I O N A L • F O U N D E D : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 2

N E W S L E T T E R V O L U M E 4 , # 1 M A R C H , 2 0 1 2

From the President

MSS in Action: Reports from the North-East (India) As mentioned in the previous issue of this newsletter, MSS (International) has launched a 10-year impact evaluation of the MSS peace

movement in India. This was made possible through the financial help received from the Shastri Indo-Candian Institute (SICI) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). A team of four, comprising of Dr. Hiranmay Dhar (V.V. Giri Institute of Development, Lucknow), Dr. Sri Gopal Mohanty (McMaster University), Krishna Kumar (Shrambharati, Bihar) and myself (McMaster University), toured Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Agartala (Tripura), Guwahati and Kumarikata (Assam) and Patna (Bihar) from February 3- 13, 2012. Dr. Chandra Mohan (Senior Advisor, International Higher Education, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar) joined us for the Bhubaneswar leg of the journey. This was a facts-finding mission to help plan for the future. With his astute observations, Dr. Hiranmay Dhar conducted interviews with MSS women during our tours.

Bhubaneswar (Odisha): We spent two days (February 4-5) in Bhubaneswar attending a State Level MSS Convention on “Women’s Empowerment: Initiatives of MSS” that was held at Human Development Foundation (HDF) School of Management. The Convention was supported by Centre for Peace Studies, McMaster

ContentsMSS Updates – Rama Singh ........... 1

Odisha Conference – Sri Gopal Mohanty .......................... 5

Marathon MSS Conference – Chandra Mohan ............................ 10

Listening to Women Empowered by the MSS Movement – Mamata Misra ............................... 13

MSS’ Commitment and Women’s Resolve: A Report on Odisha State Level MSS Convention – Hiranmay Dhar .............................. 15

MSS Conference (Bhubaneshwar) (left to right): Haribhandu Panda, Sri Gopal Mohanty, Chandra Mohan, Rama Singh, Subba Rao, Krishna Kumar, Sudarsan Das, Madhu Sudam Das.

“When I heard these women speak, one after

another, with courage and confidence, I knew that

MSS had kept its promise”

— Mamata Misra (p.14)

MSS – Partner OrganizationsCANADA

Canadian Gandhi Foundation for World Peace, Edmonton, Canada

INDIA

ADITHI (NGO) Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India

Asha Darshan Kumarikata, Assam

Gandhi Peace Foundation Rajghat, New Delhi, India

Gandhian Studies Foundation Rajghat, Varanasi, U.P., India

Jaya Prakash Bharati (NGO) Rasulpur, Saran, Bihar, India

Kasturba Gandhi Foundation Agartala, Tripura, India

Mahila Shanti Sena Manipur, India

Shrambharati (NGO) Khadigram, Bihar, India

Serv Seva Sangh Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh

Tamulpur Anchalik Gramdan Sangh (TAGS) Kumarikata, Assam, India

Vision Society for Interactive Operational Needs (VISION) Varanasi, India

Unnayan (NGO) Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

USA

Sustainable Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS)

MSS (International) Board MembersSubhash Dighe, Physiotherapist, Hamilton

Reva Joshee, Professor, OISE, University of Toronto

Graeme MacQueen, Professor (Emeritus), McMaster University

Sri Gopal Mohanty, Professor (Emeritus), McMaster University

Anne Pearson, Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, McMaster University

Karen Sihra, Graduate Student, OISE, University of Toronto

Rama Singh, Professor, Department of Biology, and Centre for Peace Studies, McMaster University

Mark Vorobej, Professor, Department of Philosophy, McMaster University

Ashley White, Ottawa

MSS is a registered not-for-profit organization in Canada.

Declaration: The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and not neccessarily of MSS or the partner orginizations.

Mahila Shanti Sena International (MSS)(Women’s Peace Brigade)

...Give women a chance... …Make them agents of change…

...Help break the circle of poverty, violence and neglect...

...It (each village community) should be able to plan its total life in terms of economy, education, health and other things pertaining

to local life. The village community needs an army of peace-workers, who will not fight among themselves but are willing

to solve problems and resolve conflicts and disputes peacefully. In this task of neighbourhood-building, women are likely to be better than men. That is the rationale of Mahila Shanti Sena...

..Can we not use her (woman’s) creative talents to make society more human and enlightened?

Acharya Ramamurti

What is Mahila Shanti Sena?It is a peace movement•to empower women in order to build a peaceful and just society

•to raise mass awareness among women to realize their strength and power

•to focus on problems facing women such as violence, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and neglect.

•to provide training in the rudiments of peace, democracy and development

•to promote Gandhian tradition of engaging in constructive village service.

Participation in MSS peace movement is open to both men and women.

When did it start and what has followed?•Conceptualized by Late Acharya Ramamurti, a revered

social activist and leader in Ganhian tradition.

•Created by rural women at the Buddhist City, Vaishali, in Vashali Sabha held in Frebruary 2002.

•Attracted about 10,000 women in Bihar to Vaishali Sabha.

•Founded by Shrambharati (NGO, India) and McMaster University.

•Spread to North Eastern States of India, UP and Odisha.

•Held three conferences, one in Vashali (2002) and supported by UNICEF and McMaster, the second in New Delhi (2005) supported by CIDA, Govt of India and McMaster, and the third in Sarnath, Varanasi (2007)

•MSS members getting elected to Panchayats and elected women joining MSS

How does it operate?It fosters awareness among women on all the above issues through training camps, workshops and conferences and spreading in regions by formation of MSS groups of five or ten. It promotes neighbourhood building, peaceful settlement of mutual conflicts, peace rallies. It encourages to join other women groups, say self-help groups (SHG) for income generation.

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University, Canada, MSS (International) in Canada and Sustainable Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS), USA, and was organized by HDF and Unnayan, a Bhubaneswar based NGO which is administering the MSS activities in Odisha. For details of the proceedings, please see the articles by Dr. Mohanty and Dr. Chandra Mohan in this issue.

Agartala (Tripura): We spent a little over a day (Feb 7) in Agartala and attended a MSS workshop organized by our partner, the Kasturba Gandhi Foundation. The meeting was attended by about 50 women including the core group of the KGF committee. A detailed report on the fascinating work of this group will appear in the forthcoming issue of the newsletter but suffice it to say here that Kasturba Foundation is the most successful organization working with women in Tripura, so much so that it is routinely sought out by Government Agencies to take up local development work. Fulan Bhattacharji, President, is the guiding force behind this organization and she has gathered a very successful team. A truly remarkable adult educational initiative is the engagement with the women of the Guwalabasti in Agartala which is headed by Fulan and Suchitra. When asked: “What was the most important social problem in the State of Tripura?” the answer came: “domestic violence”. Surprisingly the domestic violence in this case turns out to be result of the state’s mostly tribal communities having adopted the practice of asking for marriage dowry from the girl’s parent and they continue harassing the girl and her parents for more and more gifts! In its long term planning, MSS hopes to launch an anti-dowry drive with the help of women and youths.

Kumarikata and Guwahati (Assam): We spent three days (Feb 8-10) between Kumarikata and Guwahati in the State of Assam. Spread over two days we met two groups of 50 women each and

listened to their success stories and to their concerns. From their stories of wide-ranging community engagements and their questions it was obvious that Rabindrabhai had helped built up a very successful MSS organization around Kumarikata before he passed away. In his absence, Anant Kumar and Biju (Borbaruah) are looking after the MSS organization. Biju has built up a good team of young MSS girls who are engaged in community work. Again we expect a full report on their work in one of the future issue of this newsletter. Alcoholism and alcohol related social problems such as domestic violence, gambling, poverty and broken families are the number one problem in the State of Assam.

Patna (Bihar): We spent two days in Patna and attended a meeting of MSS Representatives of various MSS partner units from all across the State totaling about 40. The meeting was organized by the Centre DIRECT (NGO) under the guidance of Pankaj Kumar Sharma. A number of prominent Gandhians and social activists attended this meeting, including Sri Ram Chandra Rahi, Chair – Gandhinidhi, New Delhi, Dr. Radha Bhatt, Director – Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi, Sri Tripurai Sharan, Chairman – State Khadi Board (Bihar), Sri Satyapalji (New Delhi), Smti. Vidya bahan, Dr. Santosh Goindi (Allahabad), Dr. D.M. Divakar, Sri Ram Gulam Singh, Sri Umashankar Chaturvedi, and other members of Shrambhharati.

Kasturba Foundation, Agartala

MSS Meeting in Kumarikata

MSS Members from Arunachal Pradesh

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MSS started in Bihar and Acharyaji had built a strong network of MSS organizations. Unfortunately, after he passed away these MSS units have remained isolated. Our recent Patna meeting was meant to bring them together and renew the bond of community sister/brotherhood again. Krishna Kumar has taken over the responsibility of MSS (Bihar) and will be sending us an update on the renewal and rejuvenation of MSS in the state of Bihar soon.

Meeting Poonam in Patna

Dr. Hiranmay Dhar and I had the pleasure of visiting SudhaVarghese and the young girl Poonam whose story was featured in the Globe and Mail during the weeks just before last Christmas (see my letter to Poonam in the December issue of MSS Newsletter). Poonam is a charming young girl. She was waiting to meet us just before going to school. We did not want her to be late so the meeting lasted just about an hour. She told us the story of how in her village when she tries to talk to other children into going to school, they say she has become a madam (meaning a teacher)!

Sudha Varghese, teacher and warden, originally from Kerala, is a long time social worker in Bihar and now

runs a dormitory just outside Patna for local Dalit girls (Mushar community). From our discussion we found out, not surprisingly, that Sudha is already doing what we would like to do with Mahila Shanti Sena except that her work is more difficult as in her work she has faced the age old discrimination of caste and class and even threat against her own life. She is a woman of remarkable strength and told us many success stories. We talked about the possibility of supporting her work and holding a MSS workshop at her dormitory in near future.

Mahila Shanti Sena Seeds in the State of Gujarat!

On the invitation of Professor R.K. Kale, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Gujarat, I had the privilege of visiting this newly founded university and gave a talk on “Gandhi’s unfinished experiment with Truth: MSS and the Role of women in building a New India” on March 5, 2012. CUG has a Gandhian Studies Centre and discussions are underway to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between McMaster University and CUG. Professor Kale is eager to help us with our MSS work.

I also had the privilege of meeting Professor Sudarshan Iyengar, Vice Chancellor- Gujarat Viyda Pith. We had a wide-ranging discussion about the MSS movement and the community peace work being done in the State of Gujarat. I was very pleased to hear the wholehearted support of Professor Iyengar for the MSS work as well as for his willingness to provide institutional leadership.

I also had the privilege of meeting Arvindbhai (Desai), a close associate of Acharya Ramamurti, Sanjay Pela, and their associates, who are heavily involved in local community peace movement in the aftermath of 2002 riots in Gujarat. I was pleased to learn that both Arvindbhai and Sanjay had participated in the MSS Conference in New Delhi (2005) and that they were very familiar with the MSS work. They are very supportive of making MSS work as part of their overall effort in Gujarat.

Given the level of political and social awareness in the state of Gujarat and given the amount of peace and community development work being done there I think a two-prong approach using MSS peace movement in the villages and a “Women, Education and Development” program at the universities (CUG, GVP) will go beautifully hand in hand. I will be making a proposal to this effect soon.

Finally, my wife and I had the most exhilarating experience of visiting Bapuji’s Kutiya (Sabarmati

MSS Meeting in Patna

With Sudha Varghese and Poonam (Patna)

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Ashram) on the bank of the famous Sabarmati River. The place reminds you of the glory of the tumultuous India when being called the ‘Servant of India’ was a pride and a badge of national honor.

BHU hosts MSS workshop

A one-day workshop on “the role of women in education and development” was held at Banaras Hindu University on March 12, 2012 and was attended by about 50 people including faculty, students, and NGOs from the local areas such as the Vision Society for Interactive Operational Needs (VISION) and Banwasi Seva Ashram group from Sonbhadra district (UP). Special effort was made to invite women participants from both inside and outside BHU. The workshop was co-sponsored by McMaster University and the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (BHU).

The workshop had two aims: one was to prepare to share information with BHU faculty about the McMaster’s AUCC/CIDA internship program and put

together a group of interested faculty and students who will look after the interns once they arrive at BHU in the fall, 2012; the second was to help launch a MSS unit in the city of Varanasi. This is being done in partnership with Vision Society for Interactive Operational Needs (VISION) and its leader Jagriti Rahi who attended the meeting and was enthusiastic in her support. We expect to hold a MSS Training camp for women in Varanasi in the near future.

Rama Singh is professor in the Department of Biology and Center for Peace Studies and teaches a course in human diversity and human nature. He chairs the Gandhi Peace Festival in Hamilton.

Report onOdisha State Level MSS ConventionSri Gopal Mohanty

The State Level MSS Convention on “Women’s Empowerment:

Initiatives of MSS” that was held at Human Development Foundation (HDF) School of Management in February 4-5, was an experience by itself. It was the first time that such a Convention was held in Odisha since the inception of MSS in 2005. During these years, MSS training was imparted in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jagatsighpur, Anugul, Sambalpur and Nuapada districts, two training of trainers camps and one workshop on Culture of Peace at Baji Raut Chhatrabas where Acharya Ramamurti was present were held and a Northern Regional Meeting took place.

Supported by Centre for Peace Studies at McMaster University, Canada, MSS (International) in Canada and Sustainable Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS) in USA, the Convention was organized by HDF and

Unnayan, a Bhubaneswar based NGO which is administering MSS activities in Odisha.

The presentation format of the Convention was unlike any event of the type that happens in India and yet very much in the spirit of MSS.

The inauguration ceremony was totally a participatory occasion in which all participants stood outdoor in a circle welcoming each other by passing a bouquet of flowers from one hand to the next signifying the principle of equality irrespective of class, caste and creed. The traditional inauguration of lighting a lamp or lamps by a few eminent guests often ministers, politicians and bureaucrats was replaced by several representatives placing candle lights at a central point, symbolizing the collection of inner lights of gathered individuals. It was followed by group song expressing MSS theme in which everyone joined. This simple ceremony became an act of affirmation in

Women, Education and Development Workshop at BHU

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the concepts of peace, non-violence and democracy which are the fundamental principles of MSS.

The auspicious beginning proclaimed: we the women are here together and want to say something. Throughout the Convention until the end this message was echoed over and over again and their voice was heard.

The two-day format continued with the message of the inauguration. There were no formal speakers but all facilitators/resource persons to help and guide the women. In opening session – MSS experience – after the introduction on MSS and Acharya Ramamurti and a summary presentation of MSS activities in Odisa, the session was mostly devoted to learn about MSS activities in different areas of the State. At the end the resource persons made their remarks and suggestions on MSS activities. That the women participants were to be heard became the trend setting paradigm for the rest of the Convention.

MSS training emphatically recognizes the human dignity and equality and the power of collective strength, guides a suggestive inner transformation to bring out the individuality and improve self esteem of a trainee and persuades to learn participatory democracy by getting involved in identifying problems and solutions.

The essence of the training methodology became the guidelines for conducting the Convention.

The improved self esteem of women which is the primary objective of MSS was very much displayed when women one after the other came to speak respectfully but clearly of their work, ask questions with enough participation but without shyness during sessions. Furthermore, in the last session they formed groups and charted out the future plan for their respective group.

There were five sessions: experience sharing of MSS, women’s livelihood: challenges and prospects, violence against women: ways to address, women’s empowerment: perspectives and achievements, and way forward: consolidation and expansion.

In the opening session of sharing MSS experience, their stories were mostly on resolving conflicts within and between families, intervening in cases of violence against women including alcoholic related sufferings and in other social issues, on raising voice against injustice and taking community developmental matters into their hands such as inadequate roads and problems related to adequate educational and health care facilities.

Sessions on livelihood, violence and empowerment became more a learning experience for most women.

In livelihood session, MSS groups from Mayurbhanj and Jagatsingpur narrated their success stories of using local enterprises for income generation. The following ideas were discussed: interest free small loan of Amara Biswas, any enterprise to be in a business model and inability of women to use their earning.

In violence against women session MSS endeavors to reduce the problem was described. The recent rape case in the State and increased rapes were brought to everyone’s attention. The importance of rape issue was unanimously felt and became a significant part of the Convention Declaration (see Appendix 2). It was however pointed out that the problem exists everywhere including America. Awareness of laws to protect women was emphasized.

On empowerment issues, the main points that were put forth were: awareness of RTI ( Right to Information) and to act accordingly, increased self reliance and collective action such as

MSS Conference (Bhubaneshwar): Opening Ceremony

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nonviolent resistance against injustice, cooperative enterprise as in SHG and improved alertness.

The key points that came out of the discussion are as follows:

1. MSS to be encouraged to spread throughout the State;2. MSS to bring its members together through

documentation and improved communication;3. MSS to make aware of women’s

rights provided in law;4. MSS to work for building good citizens;5. MSS to work together and

along with men;6. MSS to mobilize support

of other women groups on women issues;

7. MSS to emphasize women’s education and health;

8. MSS to encourage active participation in panchayats (village councils);

9. MSS to consider Collective nonviolent resistance to injustice;

10. Women empowerment goes hand in hand with finding ways and means to provide income and livelihood;

11. Alcohol related violence is considered to be most acute and needs immediate attention.

In the last session the participating women were divided into groups representing certain districts and were asked to write a future plan to be carried out by their own group. The summary is presented in the Appendix 1 at the end.

The Convention was concluded with a Declaration given below as Appendix 2 and in forming a State level MSS Committee, headed by Krishna Mohanty with representation from different districts to coordinate and monitor MSS activities in the State.

(Note: The State MSS Committee met on March 4 at Bhubaneswar. Its proceedings will be reported separately.)

At the end of the first day, veteran Gandhian Subba Rao ( Founder, National Youth Project of India) led a multi-faith prayer and concluded with the remark that the role of women in building peace in society is crucial for which their empowerment is essential.

At the beginning of the second day, a documentary film ‘Aparajita’ filmed by Yunuen Perez Vertti, who recorded interviews with three illustrious women social activists, Annapurna Maharana, Tulasi Munda (Padmashree) and Manorama Mohapatra, was screened. It was very educational and inspirational for the women.

Cultural programs:

Internationally famous Odissi dancer Sujata Mohapatra presented three items

depicting feminine power of Durga - the Mother Goddess, maternal

love of Yashoda - mother of Lord Krishna and a wife’s unflinching devotion of the epic character Sita – wife of Lord Rama.

Kumudini Patel and her Pala (a folk performance art form) party took Laksmi – wife of Lord Jagannath – as their theme to present how she challenged and succeeded on two deep rooted social issues, patriarchy’s gender dominance and caste discrimination.

Swarna Jena and her group enacted a street play to show

how women empowerment through MSS could successfully resist

corrupt practice at grass root level.

Participation:

About 200 MSS and other women representatives from 18 out of 30 districts of Odisha State participated in the Convention. Those who came from outside the State were: Prof. Rama Shankar Singh and Prof. Sri Gopal Mohanty, McMaster University, Canada, Prof. Chandra Mohan, Special Adviser to the Central University of Gujrat, Krishna Kumar, Shrambharati, Bihar, Dr. Hiranmoy Dhar, V.V. Giri Institute of Development, Lucknow, Ranu Mahanti (Founder of Amara Biswas, USA resident) and Mamata Misra (member of Saheli, Austin, USA), Social activists, USA and Jagriti Rahi (VISION) from Varanasi, India.

Krishna Mohanty (Gandhian and President, ONAS – Odisha Nagarika Sangha) led the candle lighting ceremony and opened the Convention by chairing the first Session. At the beginning, Rama S. Singh gave a brief historical background of MSS, Krishna Kumar stated Acharya Ramamurti’s visionary role

Sujata Mohapatra

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and Sri Gopal Mohanty mentioned a summary of Odisha initiative in 2005 and its progress. Others who shared their observations towards the end of the Session were Abasara Behuria (Ex-Ambassador, Government of India), Lakshmi Narayan Mishra (Past Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University), Almas Ali (HDF Advisor), Srikant Patnaik (Rotarian), Devi Prasanna Patnaik (Padmashree - Linguist and Author), Bidyut Lata Mohanty (Professor), Nibedita Scudder (President, Unnayan), Bijay Pradhan (Ekata Parisad), Manoj Jena (ONAS), Chandra Mohan (Professor) and Jagriti Rahi (VISION).

Rashmi Mohanty (Secretary, Unnayan) conducted the proceedings of the Convention.

Resource persons/facilitators: Ranu Mahanti (Amara Biswas), Haribandhu Panda and Smita Mishra Panda (HDF School of Management), Manju Dhal (CARD),Usharani Behera ( Gyan Vigyan Samiti, India), Mamata Misra (Saheli, Austin, USA), Bijaya Mishra (Sahaya), Jagadananda (RTI Commisioner, Odisha), Namrata Chadha (Former member, SWC), Swrnalata Jena (NYP), Aurobindo Behera (Revenues Secretary, Odisha), Sudarsan Das (HDF).

Acknowledgement:

Thanks are due to HDF and staff, Unnayan and staff for the excellent organization, to McMaster University, MSS (International) and SEEDS for their financial support, to resource persons and guests from Odisha, India and outside India for their valuable contribution, to all artists in providing superb quality cultural presentation, to Yunuen Perez Vertti for providing DVD ‘Aparajita’ and to MSS volunteers and members and other women groups for their enthusiastic participation.

A special mention is made of Sudarsan Das, Secretary of HDF, Haribandhu Panda, Director of HDF School of Management, Nibetita Scudder, President of Unnayan and Rashmi Mohanty,

Secretary of Unnayan who worked tirelessly to make the event a great memorable one.

It is to acknowledge that this report is based on a report by Satyanarayan Kar of Unnayan in Odia.

Appendix 1

Summary of different groups (divided on the basis of districts) discussion:

Sambalpur

Issues:• Alcohol related problems• Black marketing by dealers in distribution of goods• Mid-day meal at the school• Absenteeism of Anganwadi workersSolution approach:• Discuss the problem with the dealers• Take steps for provision of mid-day meal• Discuss with Anganwadi workers

Anugul

Future Plan:• Want to form MSS• Need funds to do any development work• Want to remove corrupt practices among

Government agencies and resist oppression against poor people

Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Kendrapada

Future plan:• Create awareness of MSS and form MSS• Awareness on different activities for income

generation and learn to save• Awareness of women’s rights and RTI• Participation in village panchayats• Emphasis on education and health• Continue fight against alcohol abuse

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Rayagada

Future plan:• Dowry – Form a village committee to persuade

people not to take nor give dowry• Bribery – Create awareness not to give bribery• Clean environment and improve hygienic condition

through MSS• Improve women’s capacity to be capable of earning

Nabarangpur

Future Plan:• Inefficient implementation of Govt projects – raise

the problems in pallisabha ( village meeting)• Women oppression and violence – Form MSS and

remain alert• Poor health facilities – Through MSS bring the

absenteeism of doctors in heath centres issue to the notice of higher authorities

Khurda

Future Plan:• Health – Public gathering awareness campaign• Alcohol misuse – Awareness campaign• Violence against women – form MSS and work on

resolving the issues

Sonepur

Future Plan:• Irregularities in BPL card distribution – Meet the ward

member and BDO School midday meal – Write letters to the authority by MSS group

Baudh

Future Plan:• Irregularities in educational institutions – Contact the

minister• Supply of electricity – Meet BDO• Anganbadi irregularities – Approach Government

authorities

Cuttack, Mayurbhanj and Balasore

Future Plan:Issues• Women unorganized and are not connected well• Men do not fully cooperate• Women ignorant of laws regarding violence against

womenApproach• Organize women in the area• Recognize the previous work done by women• Awareness of Government laws and projects and use

RTI whenever necessary• Use MSS in the best possible manner• Bring men to help MSS activities• Inter communication between different districts and

help each other• MSS in each area to meet once a month• Awareness of alcohol related sufferings and resist

against increasing of licensing and fight against unauthorized alcohol shops

Appendix 2

MSS Bhubaneswar Convention Declaration

Whereas the Mahila Shanti Sena peace movement started in February 2002 in Vaisali, Bihar and has since spread to the north-eastern States of Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh as well as to Odisha and eastern U.P.;

Whereas Mahila Shanti Sena peace movement has provided the most basic yet effective avenues for the upliftment of women and

Whereas Mahila Shanti Sena has completed ten years of peace and development work with women of India;

We the Mahila Shanti Sena declare that,

We the Mahila Shanti Sena women of

Odisha congratulate Mahila Sahanti Sena organization for its work and success;

We appeal to the Police, Human Rights Commission and other relevant departments at all levels in Government of Odisha to heed the call of the Mahila shanty Sena women and help in protecting our dignity and right from violence and oppression;

In the above context we draw kind attention of the Government and the Police of Odisha to the heinous case of Bonita and Prativa, whose complaints of sexual harassment were not listen to and as a result they ended up losing their lives;

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Sri Gopal Mohanty is a Professor Emeritus at McMaster University, Vice-President of MSS (International), Board member of SEEDS, Adviser of HDF and is actively associated with Unnayan.

Marathon MSS Convention at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha (India)February 4-5, 2012

Prof. Chandra Mohan

February 4, 2012The Convention (Conference) had a unique start in the fine morning of 4th February 2012 in the fascinating evergreen park of HDF Institute of Management, located at about 50 km away from Bhubaneshwar, the capital city of Odisha. The lighting of the traditional brass lamp as a symbol of good omen to accomplish the task ahead

was not done by any political leader, but rather by the noble and hardworking hands of the MSS workers, volunteers and the office bearers who had come to attend the occasion from all parts of the country and from Canada too.

The inaugural session reflected the vibrancy of commitment to achieve the objectives of the MSS.

We request the Government to respect, justify and protect our basic rights in maintaining our own livelihood through judicious use of natural resources, that is, land, forest and water.

Important roles that women can play in shaping various programmes developed by the Government for development

of women for their self-sustainability and in deriving optimum results may be consciously looked into;

We, the Mahila Shanti Sena women, pledge to pursue constructive neighbourhood building through peaceful means and pray that our men folk and all men would give their full support in our drive to develop a better society.

Conference in Progress (Bhubaneshwar)

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Professor Rama Singh, President, MSS (International), referred to the often asked question by stating that an inclusion of word ‘Sena’ (Army) in the title of Mahila Shanti Sena means the necessity to inculcate the fighting spirit of an army to eradicate evils and mal-practices being followed against the upliftment and progress of women, in the male dominated society for over centuries. He emphatically stated that the objectives of the MSS are clearly spelt out as these aims at empowering the women with the characteristics of self awareness, self representation and self actualization in their personalities..

Mr. Krishan Kumar, the senior-most colleague of the Acharya Ramamurti, the founder of the MSS, stated that this is a happy occasion to witness the development in the growth of MSS. It was a great pleasure to see the rallies in Bihar ranging from 5 to 10 thousands of total attendance. He brought out the fact that although the women are progressing in social and economic field, yet he cautioned that they should not follow the male habits of self fulfillment at the cost of public interest.

Prof. Sri Gopal Mohanty, Vice President, MSS introduced the collaborators who came forward to associate with the MSS in holding this convention. He applauded the role of Centre for Peace Studies, McMaster, UNNAYAN, SEEDS & HDF which have come together to host this prestigious event. He highlighted the development of MSS in Odisha. He narrated the achievement of MSS by emphasizing the fact that the internal strength of women has increased and the struggle against social malpractices has been taken up as main issues at many places.

Mr. Sudarsan Das, Secretary, HDF stated that the state of Odisha is very rich in mineral resources, forest product, marines, water and fertile land but the people of the state are perpetually kept under poverty and deprivation. This is a paradox where the GDP of the state is more than the national. Seventy percent of the rural population remains under poverty. He pointed out that the women in the State are victim to operation, violence, molestation and it is a reflection of the un-equal position between male and female.

Ms. Rashmi Mohanty from Unnayan and the facilitator of the Convention, explained the main objectives and emphasized the need to connect the women of different parts together who are doing work for women empowerment in order to achieve the aims of the Mahila Shanti Sena.

Women’s Livelihood Challenges and Prospects:

Special Session on livelihood was chaired by Prof. Chandra Mohan, currently Advisor, International Higher Education, Central University of Gujarat. He stated that livelihood remains the key issue for the welfare of the women. It is related to economic security which provides self confidence to women in this world of economic needs which are alarmingly rising with the impact of globalization. He explained the dilemma of the current situation with a question-mark: ‘You tell me what the woman possesses and I will tell you what the woman thinks’.

In this session, Dr. Haribhandu Panda, Director, HDF School of Management raised key issues for strengthening livelihood security of the poor. He

Conference in Progress (Bhubaneshwar)

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stated that market linked livelihood development needs to be an overriding strategy. He emphasized to take note of the importance of product and process technologies. He brought out the important point that collectivization is essential, since individual producer is very weak to compete in the market. He further emphasized that an access to credit and finance is very important for the welfare of the women. He explained that the above experience is evident from the success of dairy in Gujarat, poultry in M.P., raw silk (tusser) and vegetable in Jharkhand.

Mrs. Usha Rani Behera gave an inspiring speech stressing the need to arise, awake and stop not till the goal of livelihood is fully achieved for the women who intend to work and get self-reliance in economic status.

Violence against women

This session touched upon categorization of violence, causes of violence against women, role of the family and community in curbing the menace of women exploitation and the role of the state in implementing the legal and judicial system in the state. A good number of MSS workers from rural parts of Odisha came to the stage and spoke with confidence pointing out the major causes of violence by the husbands after consuming alcohol and indulging in gambling. One MSS worker shouted and asked, “Why Mahila, why not ‘Male’ also.”

Mamata Misra, working for Saheli NGO at Austin (USA) stated that discrimination against women is not limited to Odisha alone but it has become a universal phenomenon. She categorically stated that the root cause of violence is lies with discrimination. We have to analyze the causes of economic dependence. This relates to economic inequality, male authority and decision making in the home and divorce restrictions for women. It was reinforced by a comment made by a worker that women’s economic dependence is

a hindrance to empowerment of women and makes them susceptible to violence which they are unable to challenge and fight because of their helplessness.

February 5, 2012

The morning session began with the video screening of ‘Aparajita’, documenting interviews with three women leaders in Odisha.

This session dealt with the crucial and sensitive theme relating to Women’s Empowerment: Perspective and Achievements.

Mr. Jagadananda, State Information Commissioner, spoke about the condition of women in the social context of the country. He cautioned that everybody should act as a vigilant officer in the functioning of the centre. As such, he commented that MSS role is quite laudable. He emphasized to make use of Right to Information act to knowing the condition of women.

Soon after his speech some participants (for example pointed out their personal problems in their areas. They stated that women’s accessibility to the functioning of the Government is not possible. There are so many hindrances in reaching the bureaucracy prevailing in the state. They stated that it looks odd that even today the importance of RTI is not known to majority of women. This fact draws attention of the concerned officers.

Smita Mishra Panda (HDFSOM) spoke on some aspects of women empowerment. She highlighted the collective power of women. She pointed out the need to distinguish between individual and collective empowerment. She pointed out that change in gender relation is the need of our time and it should be tackled at high level. She emphasized that they should be involvement in the scheme providing women’s empowerment. She further highlighted the importance of MSS in this context.

Ms. Namrta Chadha, Former Member, State Women’s Commission, Odisha, stressed that every woman should have complete information on different institutions which are working for women’s rights and empowerment. She also said State legal services and authorities providing free legal aid to the women in distress should be approached by the suffering women.

Dr. Aurobindo Behera, IAS, Member – Board of Revenue, Govt. of Odisha stressed the point that only law can not change the women, but

Kumudini Patel and her party

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Listening to Women Empowered by the MSS MovementMamata Misra

In February 2012, during an annual visit to family in Odisha, I was invited to attend a convention of the Mahila Shanti Sena (MSS) members in Cuttack. Although I knew about MSS, to be able to meet some of the empowered rural women and learn first hand about what they do was a rare opportunity for me. So I gladly accepted the invitation and participated.

There was an air of simplicity in everything about the convention. The participants were women from

different parts of rural Odisha, wearing bright colored clothes and no makeup. The convention started with a short, simple, symbolic welcome ceremony without any speeches. Singing of simple songs with energetic and clear voices was used throughout the day as a call to the meeting room when a session was about to start after a break.

The organizers of the convention, the founders and supporters of the MSS movement, a few dignitaries, and invited guests like me had their

the change is to be brought at individual and collective levels by working with a specific goal. He further stated that uneconomic activities should be curbed. The programs should include women’s activities and contribution at the level of national accounting. He appealed to the activists of MSS to achieve their objectives of women upliftment, their livelihood and empowerment with vigorous activism through a peaceful campaign.

The street play on women’s issues was presented by Ms. Swarna Jena and her group.

Way Forward Consolidation and Expansion

The last session on this fascinating title began with an inspiring song, sung in Odia by an MSS activist. The session aimed at creating consciousness of a collective effort with the virtues of perseverance and community feelings. The chair person Krishna Mohanty acknowledged the fact that the MSS has entered a central tenet of activism. In their observation, Hiren Mishra stated that the real women empowerment was possible through the involvement of men in the MSS movement. Biswajit stated at MSS workers should go all over India, only then their voice for a radical change of women condition will be heard.

In order to get an objective response based on democratic functioning of the MSS program, the participants were divided into four sections. After the considerable time, each section was invited to present

its report which it has prepared in consultation with the members in that group. The Group 1, projected that there exist complete ignorance of the RTI, as a result the domestic violence and non cooperation by main members appear as a major problem. Group II focused its recommendation on collective working, income generation, holding conventions in villages and wage a war against alcoholic habits of the male members. Group III referred to the problem of education and awareness of rights, electricity problem and the government not caring for the essential needs of the families. Group IV drew attention towards the inadequate funds for groups working, and rampant corruption by the government officials. Group V pointed out that in some schools, the midday meal to children was not provided. This also happens in the model Children schools know as Anganwadi.

Prof. Rama Singh, President, MSS, presented before the house a solid agenda of activism based on the concept of peace, human rights and gender equation for all, otherwise he alerted that women will always be reacting to domestic violence and patriarchal problems. He made it clear that one compelling argument for women playing a greater role in peace building and governance today is to move forward towards an alternative vision of positive peace building campaign with dynamics of human interaction at national and international levels. Prof. Singh presented the aptly worded Convention Declaration (see Appendix 2 in Sri Gopal Mohanty’s report).

Chandra Mohan is Senior Advisor, International Higher Education, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. He lives in New Delhi.

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turn to speak. But my interest was primarily with the empowered village women, what they had to share about their local MSS group’s activities. And, one after another they came to the podium with natural ease sharing their success stories, not only sustaining my interest but also stunning me with their eloquence, courage, and commitment. Each of them came across as a confident, strong, aware, and compassionate leader speaking from her heart. There was no bragging, no pretense, and no exaggeration. They simply told their story as is.

Sarojini from Jagatsingpur talked about how her group’s focus broadened from one’s own livelihood and economic independence (which is of course an important step to self-empowerment) to the greater common good such as stopping alcoholism and creating roads in the village. A peaceful protest by 150 MSS women in front of the Block Development Office resulted in allocation of much needed fund for a road in the village, which now reminds everyone the power of unity and purpose.

Damayanti from Sambalpur spoke in her own Sambalpuri dialect about her group’s initial struggles, the opposition women faced from men of the village and the Police. Then came an opportunity to prove oneself by solving a big problem affecting the whole village. Her village had a dispute with a neighboring village. Her villagers had a fish farm where they had worked very hard. But just before harvest time, some people from a neighboring village started claiming the fish farm and the fish as theirs. The men of the two villages started fighting. Damayanti’s village folks felt like losers because the men from the neighboring village had more power and filed court cases against them. At this point, the women resolved to do something about the injustice. They came in great numbers riding

tractors, bicycles, and on foot seeking justice in the case and offering their testimony about the truth of the matter. They won not only the fish for the village but also the respect of others in their ability.

Bharati from Mayurbhanj articulated very well how initially women were not allowed in the village meetings but when they asserted their right to not only attend the meetings but also to put items important to them in the agenda, no one could stop them. Male leaders also tried to prevent women from meeting with the BDO (Block Development Officer). But the women had their solidarity and unity as their strength. No one could ignore or dismiss when 100 women together say the same thing. Eventually the women’s voices were heard. Now they are solving problems of different kinds in creative ways. Some examples are: rescuing a child who was kidnapped; generating income by creating and selling products such as mudhi, chhatua, and incense; hiring a tutor to improve learning levels of children (because schools are not helping), and working in solidarity with MSS groups in distant villages to provide food and relief during the great flood that had left both the rich and the poor equally starving.

Minati from Baleswar talked about how their group stood up against domestic violence and prevented it from happening at a time when it was a regular occurrence and Police was taking no action even when a woman’s life was in danger. She talked about a case where the women rescued a woman who had been hung with a gamuchha (cloth worn by men) by her drunk husband, provided shelter to her in their own homes until the husband stopped drinking and being violent. Minati also talked about uncovering and stopping a school meal scam as an example.

Kalpana from Talacher talked about her group’s work in flood and erosion prevention by starting a large plantation on the banks of river Brahmani. Like the other groups her group also faced significant opposition initially.

When I heard these women speak, one after another, with courage and confidence, I knew that MSS had kept its promise. While each woman’s story was unique, there was a common thread that connected all the stories. Before taking the MSS training and oath to bring positive change in their village through peaceful means, most of the women had not set foot outside their homes or village, spoken with anyone outside of family or friend circle, and were unaware of their ability to do anything of value or importance. After being part of the MSS, when they started taking a positive interest and action in matters of the

Call to session with songs

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village, each group initially faced dismissal, ridicule, resistance, and sometimes violence from the men of the village and officers who are supposed to help them such as the Police. But the women have been eventually successful and now men come to the MSS

seeking advice and help when there is a problem.

To support the MSS empowerment and leadership training camps, please donate to SEEDS (see www.seedsnet.org for details).

Mamata Misra is a community volunteer living in Austin, Texas.

MSS’ Commitment and Women’s Resolve: A Report on Odisha State Level MSS ConventionHiranmay Dhar

In my report I will avoid as far as possible, what has been reported by others. However, I had the privilege of talking to some women participants which I will report in brief. This provides a view from another angle on the convention.

On the morning of 4th of February, 2012, at the campus of Human Development Foundation (HDF) School of Management hundreds of people from different parts of Odisha and a few from outside the state met for a convention on “Women’s Empowerment: Initiative of MSS” for two days. Mahila Shanti Sena (MSS) in Odisha started in February 2005 and has since then spread to Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Angul, Sambalpur, and Nuapada districts.

Relaying the lighted candle from hand to hand by the participants, mostly rural women, culminating in the lighting of the brass lamp at the middle followed by a song, the opening ceremony sent a strong message of participatory democracy and woman empowerment from the Convention. In the cultural program on the first day, this message of women power was strongly reiterated by powerful rendering of feminine power of Durga (fight against evil), of Yasoda (maternal love ) and of Sita (wife’s commitment) by ace Odissi dancer Sujata Mohapatra. Subsequently, in her ‘Pala’ (a folk art form) Kumudini Patel, herself physically challenged, announced that the challenge to the gender and caste discrimination in this patriarchal society will, this time, come from its main victims – the women. Through her street play (at the closing hours of the second day of Convention) Swarna Jena staged that the MSS provides an appropriate platform for this emancipatory movement from below. Throughout the two days, the Convention by and large stood by this commitment.

The objectives of the MSS and the Convention as discussed by Ms. Rashmi Mohanty, Facilitator of the Convention at the first session are given below (taken partly from her presentation and partly collected by this reporter in the side-line of the Convention):

• To motivate and organize women at the grass roots to fight for social justice, and good governance,

• To develop leadership quality among women and make them aware of their rights, and responsibilities, and fight for their empowerment,

• To bridge the gap between social and economic discriminations and gender biasness in the society,

• To develop grassroots level women organization that would work as pressure groups and advocacy,

• To propagate Gandhian philosophy and encourage women for informed participation in political activities, in panchayats, etc,

• To develop women’s skill in conflict resolution, representation, and economic self-reliance, and

• To make them sensitive to issues relating to health and education.

One of the distinguishing features of this Convention, not always seen in the structured convention of this kind, was the participation of women, overwhelmingly rural, articulating their problems, apprehensions and anger to the world and their confident resolve to solve them on their own. Unfortunately because of absence of any recording facilities – of both speech and visual – this priceless treasure of information – their tone and tenor and their visual – is irretrievably lost to the MSS.

I could meet a few of them and note down some of their activities which are given below. The information is incomplete and may even be wrong, but nevertheless they give a glimpse of the MSS activities in Odisha:

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1. Damayanti (Sambalpur): Joined the MSS camp some time back and now a trained MSS member. The training, she said, has given her confidence and prestige in the village.

2. Bharati (Mayurbhanj): Took training in the MSS Camp and since then engaged in fighting alcoholism, domestic violence like torture of daughter – in- law by their in-laws and other such vices.

3. Minati (Balasore): She said that she is busy in Panchayat election in her village. She said that getting hold of Panchayat will be immensely helpful for the women of her village.

4. Kalpana (Talcher): In her village the women group started in 2003 and since then there has been lot of improvement in the women’s life in her village.

5. Some of the activists of Mayurbhanj MSS told me that the activities of MSS have altered the whole expenditure pattern of many families in their area. Earlier a significant part of the family income used to go to alcohol and gambling. Now it goes to paying school fees, to the savings account in the bank and even to purchasing occasional ornaments, thanks to MSS.

6. One woman from Jagatsingpur said that opportunity to earn money as well as the right to decide how to spend that money have boosted our confidence. Earlier, she said, we could not think that we are equal to men. Now we no longer suffer from such inferiority complex. This is the achievement of MSS, she added.

7. Bharti Kabi gave me the details of activities of their members in their area:(a) They persuaded the collector to

appoint teacher in one village which did not have enough teacher.

(b) They forced political parties in one village to solve their internal bickering and allow villagers to hold Gramdeboti puja (worship of village goddess) in one village.

(c) They forced one woman in a village to close down her breweries which had contributed to alcoholism in that area.

(d) Large number of cases of domestic violence has been resolved through counseling.

(e) They stopped the printing of counterfeit notes with the help of police in Tambukhari village.

(f) They arranged inter-caste marriage.

(g) They compelled the relevant government department to complete one road lying incomplete for years in their locality.

(h) They forced closing down sex racket.(i) In many instances they stopped people hostile

to MSS in denigrating MSS in the eyes of people.

I state a few observations from the second day.

The State Information Commissioner commended the role of MSS in Odisha. He said that the Right to Information Act can be used to have better knowledge of the condition of women in Odisha. In the question and answer session following the presentation of the Commissioner, some people pointed out that women’s accessibility to the Government is very tenuous. Some of the participants said that even today the importance of RTI is not known to majority of women.

Smita Mishra Panda (HDFSOM), drawing on her work on Gujarat, pointed out there has been significant improvement in ‘group empowerment’ in Gujarat in solving water and other problem. But the situation in women empowerment at home and also in society remains dismal. In fact it has deteriorated over time. Her further point was that men have also a role in the women empowerment. In any effort at women empowerment, she said, the men can not remain excluded altogether.

Ms. Namrta Chadha, Former Member, State Women’s Commission, Odisha, stressed that every woman should have complete information on different institutions which are working for women’s rights and empowerment and on State legal services and authorities providing free legal aid to the women in distress.

Dr. Aurobindo Behera, IAS, Member – Board of Revenue, Govt. of Odisha said that the law can not change the fate of the women. It can only create the situation. The real change has to come from the collective effort of the women themselves. He appealed to the activists of MSS to work for women empowerment through peaceful means.

Hiranmay Dhar holds a Ph.D. in Economics and works at the V.V. Giri Institute of Development Studies. He lives in Lucknow (India).