“Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, through its more than 13,000 service projects at about 1000 places, is bringing a silent revolution in remote Vanvasi areas of the country. Kalyan Ashram has developed a hope among the section of the society, which has been the most neglected and marginalised even after independence,? said Shri Gunwant Singh Kothari, general secretary of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. He was speaking at the annual function of Kalyan Ashram'sDelhi unit held at Shri Ram Centre on May 6. Kalyan Ashram president Shri Jagdevram Oraon and Swami Anubhutanand of Akhand Paramdham, Delhi, were also present on the occasion. Noted industrialist Shri Deepak Gupta presided over the function.
Shri Kothari expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the north-east and said that more than 100 terrorist organisations were active in the region. He said people needed to seek permit before visiting some of the states of the region. ?Despite that our workers are working there with full dedication.? He said if the recommendations of the Neogi Commission had been implemented, neither does the north-east burn today nor would naxalism have taken such a fatal turn. Coming down heavily on those who oppose the Salwa Judum in Chhattisgarh, he said why not the people who describe the Salwa Judum as violation of human rights, look at the innocent Vanvasis staying in refugee camps? Shri Kothari called upon the people of the metro cities, especially the people of national capital Delhi, to visit the Vanvasi areas and realising their problems should extend a helping hand to them.
Shri Jagdevram Oraon released the special issue of Vanbandhu, the official organ of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, published from Delhi. The annual function was followed by various cultural activities by Vanvasi youth. Smt. Gitin Mitra, wife of a noted businessman Rajat Mitra of Delhi, and Smt. Preeti Sharma, an interior decorator, also attended the function. (FOC)
