About Us Contact Us
Home Blog Page 1630

Telangana Assembly Elections: No Place for BJP’s Divisive Tricks

By
-
0

“There is an undeclared pact between the TRS and the BJP,” says Ajay Gudavarthy, Centre for Political Studies, JNU.

 

Photo: PTI
 
For the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana, the Bharatiya Janata Party seems to be struggling to at least get hold of the constituencies the saffron party had earlier won. The saffron party has just limited itself to criticising the prime contesting parties – Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the Congress-led Prajakutami, leaving to the corner its regular strategies of electoral polarisation and divisive politics in the name of caste and religion, while the state continues to remain inclusive – to be more precise, secular, an idea which was adopted during the separate statehood movement.

However, the saffron party’s compulsions in the state has made it forge an “undeclared pact” with the TRS said Ajay Gudavarthy, Associate Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. “There is an undeclared pact between the TRS and the BJP. Both, the regional compulsions of Congress being the primary rival and caste equations have pushed TRS and the BJP together, but since the Muslim vote is significant in Telangana, TRS avoided a pre-poll alliance with the BJP. While TRS has rolled out a string of welfare policies, it has also alienated a range of constituencies, and it is those that the Prajakutami wishes to consolidate. It is going to be a very closely fought battle with TRS still holding an edge,” Ajay told Newsclick. 

The BJP has fielded candidates in all 119 constituencies in the state.

In the previous 2014 elections, the BJP was in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the party won in one Lok Sabha (Secunderabad) constituency and five assembly seats. While the TRS won the elections winning 63 seats, with a vote share of 34.3%, the BJP registered 7.1% vote share, however, a large chunk of these votes comprised of those of TDP supporters.

Thus, the upcoming elections would reveal the actual strength of the saffron party in the south Indian state, as the party is going for a lone battle.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to campaign in the state beginning with a meeting in Nizamabad on November 27, as the party has been eyeing the Nizamabad assembly seat and Lok Sabha seat. In 2009, the BJP candidate Endala Laxminarayana had won the Nizamabad (Urban) seat. In 2014, he had contested for Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat and stood third place getting nearly 21% of the vote share. For the upcoming assembly elections in December, BJP’s Laxminarayana is again in the race for the assembly seat, who is pitted against TRS candidate and sitting MLA Ganesh Bigala, Congress’s Tahir Bin Hamdan, BLF (Bahujan Left Front) candidate HM Ismail Mohammed and AIMIM’s (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) Mir Majaz Ali Shaik.

Hindutva Campaign
The state BJP in October had inducted the controversial Swami Paripoornanada into the party. Since then, he has become the face of the Hindutva campaign in the state. In one of his recent speech, Paripoornanada claimed that the BJP works for the welfare of the people. He said “While the Congress party is promising to bring Jesus’s rule in the state, the TRS party is praising the rule of Nizam.” However, commentators argue that the BJP’s state leaders are involved in internal conflicts among themselves and the socio-cultural conditions in the state has prevented them from adopting the saffron party’s strategies employed in the northern states of the country.

T Raja Singh, sitting BJP MLA from Goshamahal constituency, has been in news for his numerous controversial statements spreading communal hatred. Raja Singh has also been put in the race from Goshamahal constituency again, and is pitted against BLF’s transgender candidate Chandramukhi, TRS candidate Prem Singh Rathod and Congress’ Mukesh Goud.

September 17 Controversy
September 17 marks the day when Telangana was integrated into the Indian Union. The BJP has been protesting for the last four years, demanding that the day should be celebrated as “Telangana Liberation Day”, as the Nizam rule ended on that day. The BJP supporters and other affiliated groups such as Viswa Hindu Parishad are known for creating tensed situations at various places in the state on every September 17 for the past four years. It has been widely argued that the political motive behind this move is only to invoke hatred against the Nizamate and the Muslims.

Communal Tensions
Telangana’s capital Hyderabad has witnessed several incidents of communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims in the last four years, mostly during religious festivals. Although, the BJP affiliated groups were involved in several incidents of communal violence in the last decade in the region, the last major communal violence that occurred in the region was in 2008 in Vatoli village in Bhainsa Mandal, Adilabad district. An entire Muslim family of six, including three children, were burned alive, allegedly by members of the Hindu Vahini. The incident was followed by communal tensions in the state for several days. Earlier in April this year, the Adilabad Sessions Court had dismissed the case and released all the arrested due to lack of proper technical and scientific evidence produced by the state’s investigative agency.

Of the five states – Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana, where elections are going to be held in November and December this year, the BJP is a key contender in four states, but seems to be struggling in a battle for survival in Telangana. 

Courtesy: Newsclik.in

WeSpeakOut ‘extremely disappointed with Michigan court verdict in FMG case

By
-
0
WeSpeakOut is extremely disappointed that a judge in Michigan has struck down a 22-year old federal anti-FGM law in the United States.

In some parts of the Bohra community, it is being hailed as a victory by the pro-fgm campaigners, when clearly it is not.

FMG
Image Courtesy: CNN

On November 20, 2018, the Eastern District Court of Michigan declared the federal anti-FGM statute in the U.S. unconstitutional. The order was made on a technical ground under US law, since federalism limitations impose restrictions on the kinds of activity which can be regulated by the federal government as opposed to the states.  When a law is declared unconstitutional, it’s declared unconstitutional from the time the law was originally passed.

To be clear, the federal law and the charges against Dr. Nagarwala et al have been discharged NOT because there was no FGM/C performed on the Bohra girls, and NOT because FGM/C is not a crime but because of a technicality. The judge clearly states that “FGM is a ‘local criminal activity'”.

The ruling of the District Court has no impact on the debate on FGM/C within the Bohra community in India, as the criminal charges in the U.S. were dismissed on a technicality under U.S. law. In the order, the district Judge has specifically referred to FGM as a “despicable practice”, and noted that it was a form of physical assault. 27 U.S. States already have state anti-FGM statutes which continue to be valid and legal. There is also a good possibility that the U.S. Government will appeal the decision of the Judge in this case, and the Government has confirmed that they are considering this option.

WeSpeakOut will steadfastly continue its fight to end the practice of FGM/C in the worldwide Bohra community, which involves the cutting of the clitoral hood of a girl child. We are gratified that more and more Bohras understand the potential harm it causes girls and women and urge all Bohras to give up this ancient harmful traditional practice.

http://wespeakout.org/posts/wespeakouts-statement-on-the-michigan-court-decision/

Voices of Dissent: When Art becomes anti National

By
-
0
Banning of books, opposing cricket team and singers from Pakistan is not very new in India. We had seen the banning of Satanic Verses, digging of cricket pitch in Wankhede stadium in Mumbai to oppose the Indo-Pak match, the disruption of the gazal program of Ghulam Ali in Mumbai amongst many others. The intensity of this intolerance has grown by leaps and bounds in the recent times. The music program which has been targeted this time is that of S M Krishna, the renowned Carnatic musician. His program was organized jointly by Airports Authority of India and SPIC MACAY. The organizers got the threatening messages as to how come they are organizing a program of an anti India person, an Urban Naxal, and a bigot who sang about Jesus and Allah!

TM krishna

As it was postponed by AAI, Krishna showed his availability for the program on that date, which Delhi’s ruling AAP party picked up to host. Program was well attended not only by music lovers but also by those who are opposed to the politics, which is trampling the liberal democratic ethos of the country. The attack on the Krishna concert, in a way, is the continuation of the politics which we have seen in the recent past. These attacks came in the form of ‘Award Wapasi’ (returning) which was the first major resistance to the intolerant acts which had led to the murders of Dr. Dabholkar, Com. Govind Pansare, M M Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh. Around this time beef lynching took its first victim in the form of Mohammad Akhlaq and that’s when Uday Prakash and then Nayantara Sahgal returned their well earned honors to be followed by nearly fifty other literary figures, film personalities and scientists.

During this period we also saw the attack on the dalit aspirations leading to the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula. On parallel level the attack on JNU was orchestrated. At JNU the masked men who shouted the slogans have not been caught while Kanhaiya Kumar and company was targeted. The word anti national was thrown up. The aim was very clear, it was to create and enemy image of those who are critical of this Government. Same way all those disagreeing with the ruling dispensation are being called as anti National and BJP’s well oiled troll army is the new form of aggressive foot soldiers adding on to the Bajrang Dal types.  

Krishna is an outstanding musician who has not only been contributing to the Carnatic music but has also voicing his opinion against the politics of sectarian nationalism and growing intolerance. In the true traditions of music he sings Gandhi’s favorite Bhajan (Vaishnav Jan to), sings about Jesus and Mohammad. As such music is essentially based on the prevalent cultures, which are not bound by any narrow boundaries. It is only from last few decades that creative artists are being questioned and targeted on the ground of religion. Whole of Indian culture has been an intermixing of traditions coming from different religions. The peak point of this has been seen in our medieval times in particular, when Hindus and Muslims both contributed. While the peak of this syncretism is expressed in Bhakti and Sufi traditions, our food habits, literature, art and architecture have all evolved through these interactions.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Discovery of India’ underlines this aspect of our culture. As per him there are layers of culture intermixing and influencing each other. When cultures meet they interact and evolve into better forms. They have their own distinct signature even while changing themselves and that’s what is called, ‘salad bowl’. Some do believe in ‘melting pot’ model where the original distinctions get merged into a uniform whole. India is fairly unique in having these different components of ‘Salad bowl’ contributing to the richness of the land. While bhakti saints have an appeal cutting across religious boundaries, those visiting Sufi saint shrines are not just Muslims. In the field of literature the devotional songs of Rahim and Raskhan dedicated to Lord Shrikrishna are amazing. The Hindi film and television world is a living testimony to this interactive culture.

One cannot forget the brilliant Bhajans (devotional songs) sung by Mohammad Rafi, Man Tarpat Hari Darshna ko aaj (Baiju Bawara) or ‘Insaf ka mandir hai ye (Amar). There is a long list of these inter religious cultural expressions. The contributions of Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan match those of Ravi Shanker and Shiv Kumar Sharma to give just one example. In current times music maestro A R Rahman, on one side is composing ‘Piya Haji Ali’ and on the other is composing ‘Shantakaram Bhujanagshayanam’.

If Krishna is singing about Jesus and Mohammad, that is just so much natural and inspiring. This precisely is the core essence of creative artists. The bigots cannot see beyond their narrow prisms and cannot tolerate the natural interaction in the positive light. This is what the Taliban do, and this is what the Christian fundamentalists assert.

Taking a cue from the trolls succeeding in postponing AAI SPICMAY concert, other trolls are also showing their aggressive teeth. After the cancellation disguised as postponement another organizers planning to host the program in Mysuru Kuvempunagar have pulled out on similar grounds as they got a warning that hosting Krishna will be like denigrating Hindu Dharma!  One admires Krishna who in the face of these aggressive reactions is holding his ground and believes that music does not know borders of nation, region, religion or language. As per him music should soar across the world and captivate all humanity. Says he; “The troll army has the underlying patronage of people in power. I have been trolled for a long time for my social position, my perspectives on politics, and my disagreements with the BJP regime. I believe in every art form. Allah, Jesus and Ram make no difference. It is a multilingual and multi-religious country.” Salute to the brave soul, brave Indian!

Will the Adivasi Vote be a game-changer in MP elections?

By
-
0

Madhya Pradesh goes for Assembly elections on November 28.

 

Adivasis

Image Courtesy: Two Circles

With anti-incumbency sentiments running strong through the state, several new developments point out to the fact that this may be a difficult election for the BJP, which has enjoyed three consecutive terms in power.

The issues that may have an impact on these elections are farmers’ suicides, unemployment, impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on small traders and atrocities on women. Though corruption and scam rate in the state are high, mainstream media has shed no light on these issues. In fact Congress’ national spokesperson Shobha Oza also alleged that “Anyone who talks about irregularities, whether a journalist or a whistle-blower, is found dead in mysterious circumstances. We have seen more than 50 such deaths in Vyapam [scam],” in an interview with Frontline
Despite the development rhetoric of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, the state has rarely seen any changes in the past fifteen years. Most attempts at luring public have been quick fix measures in the past year, just ahead of the Assembly elections. NITI Aayog, the policy think tank of the Government of India, had released a health index in February this year and it placed MP at the 17th position among 21 big states while an ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) survey said nearly 17 percent of pupils in rural government schools in the State couldn’t recognise basic letters.

Opinion polls point out to significantly divergent views. Released on November 8, the ABP-CSDS survey indicated 116 seats for the BJP and 105 for the Congress. On the other hand, C-voter poll has given the Congress a majority with 116 seats, with Jyotirao Scindia being projected as the most popular choice for Chief Minster with 41.6 percent votes compared with Chouhan’s 37.4 percent.

Power structures in favour of upper castes have remained strong in the state, most likely due to legacy of erstwhile princely states; and the fragmentation of the OBC and Dalit votes. No single caste accounts for more than 5 percent population in all regions which has effectively resulted in the absence of any real challenge to the upper caste lobby.

However, it does have 21.1 percent share of tribal population.

On the one hand upper caste votes are divided between Congress and BJP with Rajputs tilting more towards Congress. This makes the tribal vote share a decisive factor in the upcoming elections.

Entry of New players
Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS), a party formed by a former AIIMS doctor comprises mainly of Adivasis and claims to have 10 lakh members across Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Reportedly, it is planning to contest from 80 seats from areas with larger population of Adivasis.

Owing to reservations, JAYS is a result of a historical process that has seen literacy levels rising among those from Madhya Pradesh’s Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes since 1990s. The growing numbers have empowered the youth and now they are organising and speaking out against the discrimination that they have suffered for long.

JAYS first captured everyone’s attention when in 2013 it organised country’s first ever Facebook panchayat in Alirajpur district. Following this were similar events in Barwani in 2014. On October 2, it organised a giant Kisan panchayat at Kukshi in Dhar district.

JAYS vowed to seek support from like-minded parties except BJP because it believes that it did not offer any development to the tribal areas that were plagued with problems like “malnutrition, migration, lack of employment opportunities, health crises, education and absence of power supply in the last 15 years”. Its founder Hiralal Alawa said in an interview that the ethnic population had around 21 per cent vote share in MP and 47 Assembly seats were reserved for the ST community; the community also has a representation of more than 40,000 at 40 unreserved seats.

Alawa alleges that the BJP government distributed shoes and slippers laced with carcinogenic chemicals among the Adivasis and had demanded that FIRs be filed against officers responsible for the horrible actions. Moreover, the organisation believes that BJP government has failed to grant Adivasis their basic rights as enshrined in the constitution and land claims as granted by the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Chouhan’s friendliness with industries not a public secret, Alawa also alleges that tribal land was handed over to the Birla group in Dhar. He added that hundreds were displaced in Barwani and Khargone. He further alleged that in Hoshangabad, several people were dislodged on the pretext of a tiger reserve.

Shifting loyalties
Despite talks of a Congress and BSP alliance, eventually a joint front couldn’t be worked out. Congress ‘s Kamal Nath, recently in controversies on his “90 percent voting in Muslim areas” statement, reportedly disclosed reasons as to why the coalition of Congress and Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) couldn’t work. He said that both the parties had differences over number of seats and relevance of seats. Congress believes that the possibility to win the seats which BSP asked for looked grim.

However, in what is being seen as a political masterstroke by analysts, Congress has got Adivasi leader of JAYS Hiralal Alawa to fight the election on party’s ticket. Despite infights and discontent about Alawa making such a move, this coalition may be significant in giving BJP a tough fight.

On the other hand, SP alliance with Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP), another popular tribal outfit from the area, fell flat on the face today.

This election is also significant for the entry of a caste group, Samanya, Pichhda, Alpsankhyak Party (SAPAKS), led mainly by retired government servants. The notable thing is that they largely belong to the upper castes and have reportedly been campaigning against the SC/ST atrocities Act. It claims to have a supporter base of six lakh volunteers which it says has the support of general, OBC and minority communities. SAPAKS has announced to fight from all 230 seats in the state. SAPAKS has been protesting against both BJP and Congress for their stand on SC/ST atrocities Act.

However, the BJP ministers have appeared confident in private conversations and are still churning the development rhetoric. Moreover, BJP is known to leverage Hindutva card to swing votes in the last minute. Historically, though in MP votes have not swung on the Hindutva agenda, but things may have changed especially in the context of constantly on the boil communal clashes in other areas.

Azad plans to gatecrash Hindutva’s Ayodhya party with a copy of India’s Constitution.

By
-
0

At a press conference in New Delhi today, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad declared that he would head to Ayodhya on November 26th with a copy of the Indian constitution and a photograph of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar to remind the local administration of its’ duties. His unique plan comes in the backdrop of a massive communal mobilisation by Hindutva forces in Ayodhya supposedly to push for a Ram Temple (even while the case is being heard by the Supreme Court of India) but clearly with an eye on the upcoming general elections of 2019. 

Chandrashekhar also said that if the governments led by Prime minister Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath cannot provide adequate security to the people of Ayodhya then they must resign and let the oppressed castes take power. He reminded how the UP government under Ms Mayawati had not let any untoward incident to happen when the Allahabad HC had pronounced it’s judgement in the Ram janmabhoomi case a few years ago. Chandrashekhar also said that the renewed call for the construction of a Ram Mandir at the disputed site is against the constitution and is being done because the BJP has not had any success in the last four and a half years. Fearing an outbreak of violence, Chandrashekhar said that the Ayodhya movement is being done to ‘break the country’. Responding to the question of how exactly he will enter Ayodhya, which reportedly resembles a fortress right now, he said ‘ Only time will tell how I manage to enter Ayodhya’. He also said that until the SC pronounces a verdict, status quo must be maintained in Ayodhya. 

Chandrashekhar Azad also took issue with recent disparaging comments made against Bhim Army by Ms Mayawati, the BSP Chief and made it clear that he was not supporting either the BJP or the Congress. In fact, he went to the extent of saying that if the Congress was serious about the upliftment of backward classes, it must project Ms Mayawati as the leader of an opposition coalition and then, he said, ‘ we’ll see how the BJP comes back to power’. Chandrashekhar reiterated that Bhim Army’s mission is to support the backward’s classes ascent to power and that they are merely walking on the path shown by Babasaheb Ambedkar and Kanshiram. On Mayawati’s comment asking him to join the BSP to show his commitment towards fighting for the marginalised, Chandrashekhar listed three occasions last month when he tried to speak to Ms Mayawati on the phone without any success. 

At a time when most opposition parties are staying mum in order to judge the prevalent mood, it is very significant that an organisation like the Bhim Army seeks to remind the nation that if it is still a democracy then the the constitution and not religious fervour reigns supreme. 
 

Muslim & Hindu Clerics Appeal for Reason, while Hate rules Politics: Ayodhya-Faizabad

By
-
0

Prominent Muslim and Hindu clerics have appealed for reason and calm among their followers, even as the majoritarian and mob dominated politics of Hindutva continues on its self-destructive path to divide and rule.

Maulana Batin the Shehr Mufti of Banaras has issued a strong appeal fr calm while also making available a helpine phone number to ensure that rumours are dispelled. Bascally he has told his followers not to let emotion govern their actions. Similarly the prominent Shankracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati has clearly deleneated the religious and secular by stating that no government or state should concern itself with building a Mosque or Temple or Gurudwara as these are religious acts that should be left to the communities concerned.

Maulana Batin’s statement can be read here:

Swami Swaroopanand’s statement can be read bwlow. he has made a strong argument for separating religious business and the state arguing that the building of temples, mosques gurudwaras and churches was not the business of the state. He has also cautioned stating that the failures of the central government on the socio-economic front is the reason the ‘Ram Manditr’ issue has been raised, so suddenly. Significantly the polls in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are also round the corner: in both states the ruling BJP is facing anti-incumbency of a strong kind.

Mass Mobilisation in Ayodhya, Tension in Varanasi, Muslim clerics appeal for calm

By
-
0

Ayodhya is on high alert with nearly 1,00,000 Ram Mandir supporters likely to congregate in the temple town to attend the Dharm Sansad organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. There is a fear of outbreak of communal violence in wake of multiple controversial statements and rumour with respect to three mosques; Babri Masjid (Ayodhya), Gyan Vapi Masjid (Varanasi) and Jama Masjid (New Delhi).
 

Ayodhya

Image Courtesy: PTI

Tension has been ripe since earlier this week when the highly communally provocative trailer of a film about the Babri Masjid dispute by UP Shia Waqf Board Chief Syed Waseem Rizvi was released. Then on Friday, Sakshi Maharaj made controversial statements about demolishing the Jama Masjid. On Saturday, Varanasi woke up to rumours that even the Gyan Vapi Mosque that was allegedly built at the site of the Kashi Vishwanath temple, will be brought down. All this poses a threat to the fragile communal harmony in the region.

Simmering Tension in Varanasi
The holy city of Varanasi, which is also the constituency of the Prime Minister, is particularly on the edge. “Muslim neighbourhoods are tense. People have started stocking food and other provisions. The feeling is that anything can happen tomorrow and they want to be prepared,” says Muniza Khan, CJP’s UP Program Coordinator. “The women are particularly worried and are ensuring that their children do not step out of their homes tomorrow. Even people who operate shops and small businesses plan to keep their shutters down and stay at home on Sunday,” she adds.

Local sources also tell us that several short rallies are being carried out across the city to urge youth to travel to Ayodhya to show support for the construction of the Ram Mandir. Many provocative slogans such as “Jo Shree Ram ke kaam na aye, vyarth uski jawaani hai,” are being chanted at these rallies to galvanise young men to become a part of the pro-Mandir movement.
Ayodhya

Meanwhile Surendra Singh Baieria has threatened to “Break the Constitution” if required on November 25 at Ayodhya!

Ayodhya

Even Christians have not been left in peace with members of the Akhil BHaratiya Vidyarthi Parishad painting a warning graffiti on the walls of a 64 year old Christian institution Matradham Ashram in the Chandmari area of Varanasi.

But a few important Hindu spiritual leaders have stated that the government or politicians should not be allowed to interfere in the dispute or draw political milage by exploiting people’s emotions.

Muslim groups appeal for Peace
But Muslim groups, senior clerics and social workers have taken the initiative to ensure that the minority community does not react violently to any provocation and that mob violence does not break out between Hindus and Muslims.

Clerics at the Gyan Vapi Mosque have urged people not to react to communal provocation. Mufti Batin Nomani, the Khatib and Imam of the Gyanvapi Mosque told us, “We are urging people to not pay attention to rumours and keep their emotions in check. We are asking them to maintain peace and harmony and not react violently to any form of provocation or violence.” Similar efforts are on across the state.

Frenemies try to outdo each other’s Hindutva
Meanwhile, over 5,000 Shiv Sianiks have already arrived on two special trains that were pressed into service just for this purpose. Section 144 was imposed in Ayodhya soon after the arrival of Uddhav Thackeray who is actively advocating temple construction. 
Meanwhile the Shiv Sena is organising maha artis in 288 assemblies in Maharashtra is a possible snub to the BJP with whom they share power in the state. This is plain posturing aimed at showing how they are more committed to Hindutva and building the Ram Mandir, than the BJP, with whom their relationship has always been bumpy. This should ring alarm bells given how similar maha artis were a precursor to the 1992-93 Bombay Riots.

In Pictures: Gaja Cyclone, a Dance of Death and Destruction

By
-
0

The Gaja Cyclone has wreaked havoc in ten districts of Tamil Nadu, when it struck the coast of Nagapattinam on the November 15 midnight. As per local groups and experts, it has already devastated the coastal areas of Nagapattinam district, shattering homes and destroying villages. About 2.5 lakh people are in temporary camps in these districts with more than 80,000 people in the district of Nagapattinam alone. Not a single tree could be seen standing, not to mention crops, fishing boats, and homes in several villages. Thatched roofs have been blown away making people homeless and the children have lost their school bags, books and notebooks. Power supply is still not up after five days and it might take several days to be revived given that more than 30,000 electric posts have been damaged in the state. A team of volunteers from a grassroots organisation, Vanavil trust visited the Cycle affected areas and have appealed for help for the victims.

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Note:
Having visited some of the coastal areas, we think that the urgent need of the moment are certain basic requirements. Drinking water and food is what people in the camps need, along with mats and blankets to rest in the nights. So, in the true spirit of Vanavil, a school that was born in the aftermath of Tsunami relief work we want to stand with the people of Nagapattinam once again and help them to face this calamity.

One of the worst affected blocks in Nagapattinam district is Thalaignayiru. Here, farming and inland fishing is the primary livelihood sources and the landless agricultural labouring families are the most affected, as always. Please see the list of villages in this block and the number of affected families in the accompanying list.

In order to meet the urgent basic needs of the affected people, we are in the first phase of relief, trying to mobilize dry foods like biscuits, milk powder, essentials like candles, mosquito mats, match boxes and a dry ration kit containing rice, pulses, oil, salt, chilli powder, sugar, tea powder etc. We seek your support in cash or kind to help the most affected people at this moment of crisis.

Please send monetary contributions to Vanavil Trust.

From India:
Account Name: Vanavil Trust
Account Number: 954121293
Bank Name: Indian Bank
Branch: Nagapattinam
IFSC: IDIB000N004 (5th character is zero)

From foreign countries (FCRA):
Account Name: Vanavil Trust
Account Number: 510101006399272
Bank Name: Corporation Bank
Branch: Nagapattinam
Bank Address: 73, Neela South St, Nagapattinam, India – 611001
SWIFT CODE: CORPINBB716

Please put “Cyclone Relief” in the memo field when making a NEFT , RTGS, or SWIFT transfer and send an email to Vanavil.school@gmail.com so that we can acknowledge the donation.

Send materials to
Vaasal Training centre,
No.265, Public Office Road,
Velipalayam
Nagapattinam
611001

List of villages Talaignayiru

  1. Santhaanam theru
  2. Sinthamani theru
  3. Lingathadi theru
  4. Velaanimundal
  5. Muneeswaran koil theru
  6. Santhaiveli theru
  7. Pazhayatrankarai therku
  8. Pazhayatrankarai vadakku
  9. Vadakku theru, pazhayaru
  10. Vadakku theru
  11. Thirumalam
  12. Mukkattai theru
  13. Seraankulam
  14. Pirinjimulai
  15. Kesavan oodai
  16. Sadayan kottagam
  17. Ekarajapuram
  18. Kadantheeddi
1...1,6291,6301,631...2,697Page 1,630 of 2,697

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Join our mailing list to get the latest human rights news that matters, straight to your mailbox.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Join our mailing list to get the latest human rights news that matters, straight to your mailbox.

Important Links

Other Links

CONNECT

Email: sabrangind@gmail.com

© Sabrang | All Rights Reserved