How are you feeling after mapping Bharat on foot?
Pleasure! Extreme pleasure!!
What’s next?
Pujneeya Sarsanghachalakji, in his speech at velidictory function of the Yatra, has stressed on collective follow up action. People from all over the country participated in the concluding ceremony. Now they will join the follow up action.
You have toured the country many times in the past also. How was this tour different from the previous tours?
The major difference was that during the previous tours we normally met our acquaintances only. But this time we met a large number of new people. At least two new families came in our contact in every village during the yatra. Additionally, we got the opportunity to meet the people of different ideologies, sects and communities and a good number of them have come in our contact. The fact, which satisfies me a lot, is that a large number of youth have started developmental activities in their respective villages. Secondly, all the previous Yatras were done by some vehicles. But this time I only walked and deeply understood how the society is, how the organisational strength is and what the workers do feel on the ground. It was an opportunity to know Bharat and have personal interaction with lakhs of people.
Do you feel any difference betweeen what you have seen now and the feedback you had got earlier?
Yes, there is difference. It proves that what is told is not always correct. What one sees practically is correct.
What major change do you feel in the organisational thinking especially after the Bharat Parikrama Yatra?
After the Vishwa Mangal Gau Gram Yatra and the Bharat Parikrama Yatra, the awareness about preservation of all panchbhoot—jal, jungle, zameen, jan and jaanvar—has strengthened. Not only the individuals, but also the organisations and national leaders have started taking these issues seriously. As a result, the swayamsevaks are more sensitised now and they have started many activities for preservation of the environment, water, soil, forest, biodiversity, etc. Also there is increased focus on village development activities. In the beginning, our focus was limited to the man making and organisation building. Then the sewa activities were started. Gradually, the work for village development began. Now after both these yatras some issues like the environment protection are also under focus.
What are the major issues of villages, which you have experienced during the Yatra and need immediate attention of the entire nation including the Governments?
The issue which needs immediate attention is the plight of the farmers. We eat foodgrain, but we have stopped thinking about the issues of its producers. If all collectively, including the governments, think about addressing the issues of the annadata, they will work with renewed energy and make the nation self-sufficient in foodgrain production. The farmers have to be ensured indigenous seeds, manure and electricity. Second issue is related to the fair price of their produces. They do not get what they invest. Maximum part of the profit goes to the middlemen. They get hardly 10 per cent. It is the collective responsibility of all how to ensure them fair price of their produces. The issue of labour is also there. Most farmers do not get labourers in villages. Now, there is one more critical issue i.e. drinking water. I have seen in Tamil Nadu that a family in villages has to spend more than Rs 500 per month on drinking water alone. They have to pay Rs 10 for one bucket of water. It is unaffordable for an ordinary family. Some people are taking initiatives at their own level. The issue needs to be addressed urgently. There is a village, Attakote in Tamil Nadu where the Village Panchayat chief Govindraj has resolved the drinking water problem by installing purification and recycling plant. The Government needs to sensitise all village chiefs to take such steps for resolving their problems.
It is believed that the feeling of harmony is low in villages as compared to the urban areas. What is your experience during the Yatra?
Yes, this is true. There are political reasons also behind the division. All the reasons which are causing conflicts need to be studied and addressed. I have written to the State governments underlying some of the issues. Tamil Nadu Government has conducted two good experiments in this regard. They have created ‘Samatva Nagars’ in each Taluka. Arrangements have been made for the residence of about 500 families at one place. Houses are provided to the people of all the communities there and all live with harmony. Another significant step that they have taken is to train the people of all castes to be pujaris in the temples. We know that Tamil Nadu has the largest number of temples. As a result even the people of so-called untouchable communities are pujaris in many temples. It is a change worth emulating. There is a need to take some other steps also to change the mindset of people.
Have you thought about sharing your experiences with the governments and the policy makers?
I have written to all the State governments sharing my experiences. Except the Government of Maharashtra, no other State has even thought of acknowledging my letters. This shows how insensitive the governments are. Soon we are going to share these experiences with the Central Government also.
Has any mechanism been created to start follow-up activities after the Bharat Parikrama Yatra?
The workers engaged in Gram Vikas, Gau Sewa and Kutumba Prabodhan are working on the follow up actions. The first state which has ensured good follow-up activities is Punjab. They started activities immediately after the Yatra passed through the State. Then the workers in Gujarat and Karnataka have taken good steps in this regard. Other states are also in the process of starting some concrete activities.
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