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TO begin with let me state the obvious:
there are newsletters and newsletters. They cover a diverse
range of subjects and the approach varies from providing
straight-forward information about the organisation that
brings them out, to taking on campaign issues, galvanishing
people to action. But then the latter may not come under
the purview of the description “newsletter” in the sense it
is generally used.
The focus of Development Alternatives (DA) newsletter
published from Delhi, is the promotion of alternative
technologies, in particular those that it has developed.
Some of these are:
1 Mud
architecture through mud blocks (to strengthen them cement,
or some industrial waste may be added). The mud
blocks (bricks) are produced by a mechanical
device, the Balram which has been developed at DA.
2 Microlite
tiles.
3 Improved
weaving machines and items made on them.
4 Handmade
paper through waste recycling.
Amidst the din and confusion created by buses, cars,
rickshaws and scooters in the heart of old Delhi, the
piteous bleatings of goats and sheep, not a few of
them lambs, catch our attention. Blows are being
rained down on their defenceless quivering backs to
goad them towards the Idgah slaughterhouse: huge
lathis are used relentlessly to bruise and maim the
cringing animals who can sense their end. But how can
they move in any direction, trapped as they are amidst
the chaotic traffic.
Chaos is the key to the area wherein the
slaughterhouse is located. Chaos reign supreme within
it, and without: within, because if slaughters four
times the number of animals that it was expected to
cope with; without because over the years, thanks to
the city’s burgeoning population, the area has got
jam-packed with humanity.
To venture inside the abattoir is to expose yourself
to various health hazards. Only the foolhardy would
therefore seek to visit it; or those who are
duty-bound to do so. The committee that the High Court
has appointed to look into its operations to recommend
measures to keep its surroundings clean and pollution
free was duty-bound to visit it. It comprises the
three lawyers, Raj Panjwani, Seema Midha an Atul Nanda.
They were accompanied by members of three NGOs, M.
Khalid of KARE, Gautam Vohra of DRAG and Gurvinder
Sigh of Development Alternatives as well as Dr. S.
Raghavan and the veterinarian Dr. Naresh Garg.
The committee was set up to investigate the charges
made in petition field by Maneka Gandhi, the former
minister of environment and forests.
The singular difference between the halal and jhatka
sections of the abattoir is that in the latter the
visitor will not witness animals with the throats
slit, but still alive, blood spurting with each jerk
of their legs, even as their brothers and sisters
watch with terror the death of one of their own. But
in both sections, filth predominates. The walls are
discoloured with stale blood, to which fresh coatings
of the new victims are added each day. The floor is
covered with a layer comprising animal excreta,
entrails, urine and blood. If the visitor is not
over-powered by the stench and the sight of the
blood-drenched animals, and can walk to the corners of
the abattoir, he will see insects crawling in various
directions. In the circumstances, is it a wonder that
the atmosphere, as well as the water sources, are
being polluted by the slaughterhouse.
The pollution to the atmosphere is caused by
• The boiling of bones of
the slaughtered animals within the slaughterhouse
itself.
• The purification of the entrails extracted from the
stomach of the animals. It adds to the air pollution.
• The stench from the blood and the excreta of the
animals that forms a carpet throughout the
slaughterhouse. This contributes its own bit to the
atmosphere.
• The skins to the animals which are sometimes not
removed speedily. Hence these add to the air pollution
levels….
(Extract from “Lambs To
The Slaughter” from Development Alternatives
newsletter). |
Development Network,
published from Pune, by the Centre for Development Studies
and Activities, is aimed at “groups and individuals working
with the poor and weaker sections in the rural and urban
contexts.” The newsletter’s focus is NGOs, providing
information on their activities with the objective of
sharing information so that the voluntary movement is
strengthened. For long it has been felt that for want of
adequate knowledge, awareness of what the NGOs are doing,
much of the basic grassroots work gets repeated: the
mistakes, the problems, the hardships faced during the
initial phase of voluntary work would be avoided if there
had been sharing of experiences, which deplorably is not
taking place even when NGOs are working in adjacent blocks
in conditions that are not that dis-similar.
Usually on page 3 Development Network carries an
article on some rural/urban development project (of an NGO),
published by the People – Centred Development Forum (PCD
Forum) and the other pages deal with NGO news, local
community initiatives, training and research organisations,
much like the newsletter produced by another networking NGO,
Voluntary Action Network, India (VANI). The VANI News
(of eight pages) that it brings out every three months from
Delhi – Development Network of 12 pages is also a
quarterly; the Development Alternatives newsletter of 16
pages is a monthly – has many more snippets of NGO news,
people’s movements in contrast to Development Network,
the DA newsletter or the South Link
published by South South Solidarity all of which carry
articles on issues of concern to them.
That is not to say that VANI News carries any campaign
articles. It does, though infrequently. Its publishers are
particularly concerned with government-NGO interaction (and
as such were disturbed by the recent plans of the Home
Ministry to tighten the rules regarding Foreign
Contributions Regulations Act which, as it is, have been
used to twist the arms of, or rather harass, the voluntary
sector). VANI, through its newsletter, has campaigned to
secure greater freedom of action from the government for the
voluntary sector. It maintains that this sector does not
have sufficient space to act creatively, innovatively,
hemmed in as it is by numerous bureaucratic rules. Indeed,
government functionaries, particularly at the grassroots,
treat NGOs with near contempt and impose obstructions on
their path…..
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A thick mist enveloped
the forest. Moisture laden trees shower us with drops
of water. Bird calls resound in our ears. Clean fresh
air tickles our nostrils. On skirting a huge rock
face, we sight a number of nilgais. A sojourn into
the hills? No. This is the environment in Sanjay Van,
during the monsoon, right here in New Delhi.
Delhi is
probably the only capital city in the world which can
boast of a natural forest sprawling across its midst.
This is the ridge, the tailend of the Aravalis, which
enters Delhi from Gurgaon and spreads towards the
Delhi University area. It has been divided into four
zones – northern, central, south-central and southern,
only the southern part falling outside Delhi’s
territory.
Most of us in Delhi
have been exposed at least on some occasion, to the
ridge, even if it is simply in terms of passing along
its periphery. Unfortunately, few of us are aware of
its significance….
Jahanpanah forest:
The name of the forest is derived from the city of
Jahanpanah built by Muhammad bin Tughlak. This forest
lies between the housing colonies of Khanpur, Madangir
and Dr. Ambedkar Nagar in the west and Greater Kailash
on the east. Areas on the western side are occupied
by migrant labour, daily-wage earners, and domestic
servants, many of them living in jhuggis without any
sanitation facility. Unfortunately, the presence of
the Jahanpanah forest serves as a vast defecation
ground for them. Besides, it provides a short-cut to
the colonies on the eastern side where they go for
work…
As one moves towards the south, one passes through
pockets of thick groves of trees, denuded areas, a
dargah which is well frequented by people, stretches
of the forest which are used as thoroughfares, or as
junk-yards, as also a playing ground by children form
a group of jhuggis along the boundary wall of the
forest. The Jahanpanah forest has metalled roads and
some permanent constructions in the form of bridges.
Despite these
negative aspects, we were able to appreciate the sight
of amaltash (Cassia fistula) tress in full
bloom, contrasting with the serene ash coloured leaves
of dhak of palas (Butea monosperma) trees and a
profusion of multi-limbed cacti. An unusual sight was
of a family of wild pigs – parents and three piglets,
hiding in a prickly growth of kareli; this indomitable
bush with bluish green thorny stems sprouts gorgeous
little orange blooms in the summer, and is spread all
over the ridge…
Sanjay
Van:
This projected forest is sandwiched between the Qutab
Institutional Area and Lal Kot. Inside this forest are
well laid paths, while signboards at various points
state “D.D.A. this way”, misleading walkers into
believing that DDA’s office is situated somewhere
there. WE preferred to get away from the trodden
path, waling through the undergrowth which is fairly
thick and almost impassable in some places. We came
across an old construction in stone in a long
depression. Also clearly visible was a bund or
blocking device to regulate the flow of water.
Probably this dates to the 14th century as
the Tughlaks were interested in impounding rain water
for irrigation…..
(Extract from The
Ridge And Our Heritage I Stone: Protecting Delhi’s
Environment) |
The South Link, the 20 page quarterly newsletter of South
South Solidarity published from Delhi has a much more
eclectic mix of subjects, though those relating to
strengthening South South links are given priority. The
January-February’94 issues focuses on Malaysia. (With its
enormous wealth, it has considerable economic clout amongst
nations of the South). The editorial gives the reason by
raising questions such as “what do we know about the people
an their aspirations in various Asian countries?” an “what
information doe we have on the common development problems
which we face?” if the truth be told, the short answer to
both these questions would be “very little” which is a pity
for if there was solidarity between the countries of the
South, the North would not have been able to take us for a
ride, as it does so regularly, the latest example being the
GATT treaty and the Dunkel proposals….
While the focus of the newsletter may be a single theme,
some may be involved in more than one issue. The
Development Alternatives (DA) newsletter, as noted,
promotes alternative technologies, but has other concerns
which it takes up periodically and these include (I)
international environmental issues such as global warming
and CO2 emissions (ii) national environmental
issues covering a range of development schemes (handled by
its Environment Systems Branch) and (iii) certain novel
environmental concerns as expressed in articles on
“Soundscape” – which suggested that attention to sound (not
noise) is important if we want to create a healthy
environment.
The quality in terms of paper used and the layout and design
differs from newsletter to newsletter. But among NGOs the
quarterly produced by World Wide Fund for Nature-India is by
far the fanciest: the cover is glossy and the 32-38 pages
within it are of quality (expensive). The focus of the WWF
newsletter is wildlife, parks, sanctuaries, though broader
environmental concerns are also addressed. Its editorial
content has given rise to the impression that its publishers
would rather keep on the right side of the government. It
has already bucked the system. But, of late, there are
indications that the WWF has been willing to put the blame
for the deteriorating environment on those who are
responsible for it. In the “Letter from the editor” of
April-June 1994 issue, Samar Singh says:
“As the initial
cost of environmental protection surfaces, economic and
political interests around the country realise that short
term profits from projects that will inevitably devastate
the environment could be jeopardised. As a result they are
converging to take on the “green lobby”.
Hereafter, Samar Singh gives telling
example of how the government has given in to these powerful
interests on specious grounds. He observes:
“In Rajasthan, the mining interests around the Sariska Tiger
Reserve have been supported on the plea of protecting jobs.
In Gujarat, the government denotified the Narayan Sarovar
Sanctuary to benefit the cement industry. In Kerala, a
large dam is being built in Pooyamkutty, which will submerge
large areas of biodiversity rich forest.”
Now to address the question: What importance do the
newsletters have in achieving goals? In other words, do
they have an impact on the people (empower them); do they
influence decision-makers (and influence policy); do they
bring about change.
It will be hard to establish a one to one co-relation
between and issue that a newsletter has campaigned for and a
consequent change in policy (or the galvanising of people to
action). For the printed word has its own ways of
influencing people, and usually takes time. But a number of
issues promoted by newsletters can be said to have
influenced policy.
A.
The Ridge
(the tail-end of the Aravalis in Delhi): The articles in the
Development Alternatives newsletter, and elsewhere,
(including the DRAG survey highlighted in The Times of
India which was used by the environmental lawyer M.C.
Mehta in his public interest litigation to the Supreme
Court), and the active campaign of the Joint NGO Forum led
to the issue to the notification by the Lieutenant Governor
of Delhi declaring the Ridge to be a reserved forest and
hence making it illegal to build on it. Encroachments by
the construction lobby or the burgeoning (slum) population
can now be checked, if the authorities are so inclined.
(See box item).
B.
Development Alternatives was among the NGOs included in the
team that the High Court set up to investigate the
deplorable conditions in Delhi’s findings were played up in
the newsletter. This, along with presentations in the
court, convinced the judge to shut down the abattoir’s
operations until such time it agreed to operate within the
conditions stipulated by the court. (See box item).
C.
The latest
campaign article in the Development Alternatives
newsletter relates to the flawed water policy of the
government as highlighted by the Ganga-Yamuna yatra
undertaken by the Paani Morcha.
I have given examples from the DA
newsletter, but several can be cited from the
newsletters of other organisations that have influenced
policy and bought about change. But, as I have said, a
direct, one to one co-relation should not be sought. Policy
is not influenced overnight. The campaign strategy towards
this end includes many weapons, and the printed word (as in
newsletters) is one of these weapons.
The above are examples of campaigns through certain articles
to influence policy and introduce change. But there are
newsletters whose total thrust is to impact policy to
introduce change. Perhaps, ‘ newsletters’ is not a proper
definition for them; may be they should be called “campaign
letters”.
Small Industry
The small sector
occupies a significant role serving specific purposes
of the economy. The sector has grown into prominence
over the years through its multifaceted contribution.
The number of units, value of output, investment and
employment generated by the small sector have grown
substantially since Independence. The number of small
units has increased from 0.75 million registered in
1984-85 to 1.70 million in 1993-94. The total number
of small units, including unregistered, grew from 1.23
million to 2.3 million over the 9 year period. With
2.38 million number of total SSI units (registered and
unregistered), the sector provided employment
opportunities to 13.9 million persons in 1993-94.
The most
significant feature of small industry is its
contribution to the economy in terms of foreign
exchange earnings. The sector’s share of exports rose
two-fold in two decades. It recorded a 29.9% increase
in exports in 1992-93 whereas the total exports of the
economy grew at the rate of 16.23%. the share of the
small sector in total exports has maintained an upward
trend. It has accounted for almost 44% in total
exports of the economy in 1993-94.
Among the major items
of exports of the small sector in 1992-93, readymade
garments occupied the highest position (42.8%),
followed by finished leather (19.8%) and basic
chemicals (13.3%). The share of engineering goods was
highest in 1983-84 (14.3%. After that, it shows a
declining trend. However, once again it picked up
modestly in 1989-90 and its share has been 10% in
total exports of the sector in 1992-93.
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One such campaign letter is that produced
by the Narmada Bachao Andolan, the Narmada Samachar.
Apart from providing an update on the latest developments,
it invariably exhorts the readers to write to the P.M., the
Ministry of Water Resources, the chief minister of their
state, their M.P., and others and ask them to take the
requisite action (i.e. the thrust at one stage was to stop
World Bank aid for the project; later it became the attitude
of the Gujarat government that did not relent on the dam;
yet again it was the height of the dam, which if lowered and
this not “drown” the tribals living in the area, and so
on). The Narmada Samachar also differs vastly in
production quality from the newsletters discussed so far; it
comprises a number of cyclostyled sheets without any
pretensions to style, design or layout; it has no cover,
plain (cheap) paper is used, and there is not editing worth
the name. For the Andolanwalas, the message is all.
And the message is to block the dam(s) – Sardar Sarovar,
Bargi, etc. – at any cost.
To take another example of a campaign newsletter:
Earthaction, with offices in U.K. and U.S.A. and
published from Brussels has an Action Alert for each issue.
The Action Alert of April 94 is “Rescue Russian Reform”.
After giving a brief background the readers are asked to
take certain steps. The Action Alert spells out everything.
“If your live in Western Europe, North America, Japan,
Australia or New Zealand, please send a letter, fax or phone
by the end of June to your own president or prime minister.
If you live in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or a former
communist country, please contact Jacques Delors, President
of the Commission of the European Union. The Commission is
coordinating Western aid to Russia and Delors will be
participating in the G-7 summit….
To sum up, NGO newsletters and publications have had an
impact on policy, but we will do well to not carry an
exaggerated importance of their role in this regard.
(Courtesy:
People’s Action)
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