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Here is a brief report of our efforts over the past month of March 2022. |
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Celebrating the true spirit of 8th March: | International Women's Day |
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| The 8th of March - immortalised by working women's struggle for the 8-hour workday and for equality - is a date of historical importance not only for all women, but for all humans throughout the world. It represents the inter-woven nature of struggles for liberation from all kinds exploitation and inequities.
So, in the spirit of 8th March, Lokayat, Abhivyakti and Lokayat Nagari Samiti strove to highlight such struggles, especially those led by women, through the following activities: | Sanman Savitri-Fatimachya Lekincha
Honouring the Daughters of Savitri and Fatima |  |
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| Millions of ordinary women from the margins of society, strive daily to achieve a good life for themselves and their families. They wage a daily struggle against patriarchy, casteism and poverty. In order to appreciate their struggle and inspire other girls, we felicitated 18 girls from Ganj Peth & Lohiya Nagar slums in Pune.
On this 8th of March, Lokayat Nagari Samiti organised a program to felicitate eighteen such women from the Peth (old-city) areas of Pune.
From state and national level sportswomen pursuing cricket, power-lifting, hockey, kick-boxing, physical training, archery, karate – to honors graduates of law, medicine, engineering and commerce; the range of their talents and achievements is enthralling. It offers a glimpse of the gargantuan potential locked inside people which can bloom if given opportunities -- a reminder of why socialism is worth fighting for.
Senior Satyashodhak and Ambedkarite activists Sharadatai Wadekar and Kalavatitai Tupsundar were the chief guests on the occasion along with labor-union leader Nitin Pawar. |
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| Bharatachya Agnishikha – Blazing Torches of India |  |
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| As we celebrate the 75th year of India’s independence, we must remember the millions of women who gave up their lives, their freedom in the cause of independence. Abhivyakti and Sanyukt Stri Sanstha organised an exhibition of historical photographs and informative posters, highlighting the contribution of women in the freedom struggle.
The exhibition showcased the struggles of more than 150 women – most of them unsung heroines - from the earliest anti-British rebellions to 1857 and from the swadeshi movement of 1905 to the Quit India struggle. It also included those women who made notable contributions to politics, arts and science since independence.
The exhibition ran from the 6th to 8th of March, 2022 at Balasaheb Thackeray Kaladalan near Sarasbuag, Pune and was visited by hundreds of students, teachers and youth.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Neeta Rajput, Abhay Chhajed and Alka Joshi, presided over by Quit India fighter Rohinitai Gavhankar. The 94-year old activist and author inspired the packed auditorium of the gallery by recounting her first hand experiences of the courage and sacrifices of young women during the freedom struggle. These stories left the audience with both goosebumps and tears. The blessings of an elder like Rohinitai embolden and invigorate us. |
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| Film Festival |  | As part of the International Womens’ Day celebrations, on Sunday, 13th March, 2022, Abhivyakti organised a film festival. We screened various documentaries and short films, eight in all, which touched upon issues of equality, gender violence, house-work, masculinity and gender roles.
Many young women and men attended the festival and participated enthusiastically in the discussion that followed. Many of them, even men, shared their own experiences of discrimination and prejudice. It was a cathartic experience for many. |
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| Sanvidhan Melava
Gender Equality Interactive Activities |  | Sanvidhan melava is a form we have been honing over the last few years. We set up some art exhibits and some games which deliver the message of the Constitution through experience, instead of through speech. For example, one game challenges boys to roll out round rotis in a minute and another challenges girls to fix electric wiring – challenging gender biased roles. We have designed stalls on caste, economics, communal harmony as well, but this exhibition, organised by the Nagari Samiti, in Wadarwadi, on the occasion of Womens’ Day, focused on gender equality.
We are pleased to report that for the first time, local youth of Wadarwadi, girls as well as boys, took the lead in guiding the eager public through the exhibition. | Sanman Samarambh
Hounoring Brave Women at Tadiwala |  | A program was organised by Abhivyakti and Sakhi Saheli Mahila Mandal on International Women's Day, at Tadiwala road felicitating brave women of the area. The Samarambh received great response from the localites. |
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Regular Activities by Abhivyakti
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| #BanSexistSongs - Campaigns against objectification |  | We held weekly street campaigns against the objectification of women through film songs and media. The campaigns, including a small skit, drew a very positive response from the crowd and a dozen people signed up to volunteer for future campaigns. | Self defence and intellectual actvities for girls |  | Abhivyakti and Nagari Samiti continued the weekly self-defence training for local girls of Wadarwadi. We are delighted that this activity, which was flagged off on Savitribai Phule Jayanti (3rd Jan) has not just drawn regular participation but is growing.
We have supplemented the fortnight activity with intellectual inputs, through simple games, books, film screenings and discussions.
A similar activity was also started by the Nagari Samiti in the Peth areas and that has also drawn a good response. We hope that this will continue to raise the confidence and consciousness of young girls from the slums. |
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| Todu Jatichya Bedya
| Campaign Against Systemic Casteism |
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| Street Campaign |  | In March our team organised two campaigns on this issue in various public places throughout the city. We highlight the reality of caste discrimination and unequal opportunities in various institutions of society. Sometimes fierce debates rage, sometimes sensitive youth welcome the campaign, a few joining us impromptu. We will continue this campaign. | Remembering the Mahad Satyagraha - 20th March Film screening | To commemorate the Mahad Satyagraha led by Dr Ambedkar – which was a historical assertion of humanity and equality in the face of a casteist society -- we held a screening of excerpts from the documentary “India Untouched” and the feature film “Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar”, followed by a discussion on the prevalence of casteism, the systemic nature of caste, the logic behind reservations, the “merit” argument etc. |
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| Against Pro-Corporate Economic Policies |
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| Public Talk: Union Budget 2022-23, What’s in it for the People? |  | The media has hailed this year’s budget as a “booster dose”. This talk, analyses the budget through the lens of the working people, farmers and the unemployed, and reveals how the budget is a booster for the corporate class and an assault on the poor.
This talk, held at Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, was our first public talk in an auditorium after two years. | Campaigns Against Rising Prices of Petrol-Diesel-Gas | We organised weekly campaigns against the government policy of extracting heavy taxes from the common people through fuel excise and cesses, while giving massive tax breaks and write-offs to the super rich. We observe that people, especially youth and workers living hand-to-mouth are beginning to see through the propaganda of the corporate media and the fascists. We encourage you to volunteer for our campaigns. Never has this been more urgent. |
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| Rations for All – Right to live with dignity |
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|  | India is going through an employment and inflation crisis, which is deepening the malnutrition crisis. We need a rejuvenated, strengthened PDS urgently. Our Ration for All campaign presses the government through official channels, while organising people to struggle for the same.
This month the Nagari Samiti campaigned mainly in the Wadarwadi area.
We conducted a workshop for people involved in the struggle, to understand the fundamental rights and directive principles in the Constitution, and their relevance to our struggle for universal PDS. |
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| Rickshaw Panchayat Fights Corporate Assault on Unorganised Workers |
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We work closely with Baba Adhav led Rickshaw-Panchayat of Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad, the largest union of auto-rickshaw drivers in the city. Our activists participate in organising all union activities and processes to strengthen democracy within the union.
21st March witnessed a major protest of Rickshaw Unions in front of every district collectorate in Maharashtra for various long standing demands of the auto-rickshaw drivers, including protection from corporate cab-hailing behemoths.
In Pune district, the Panchayat led the demonstration outside the Pune Collectorate and hundreds of auto-drivers participated.
There were also multiple meetings on various rickshaw stands. Meetings on various rickshaw stands throughout the city to build support for the charter of demands for compensating rickshaw drivers who are suffering hardships due to the pandemic. |
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|  | Budget 2022: Current Economic Situation |
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 | Play:Mulgi Jhali Ho! |
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| We continue to regularly make progressive content on social media. This month as well we targeted issues of petrol, diesel & gas price hike, privatisation, caste inequality, gender & economic crisis etc. |
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| Volunteer for poster making activity if you are interested.
| Contact us if you want to host our program on your channel. |
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| | | Fill this form to join us: |
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| Lokayat, 129/B Erandwane, opposite Canara Bank,
Law College Road, near Nalstop, Pune.
Rishikesh : +91 94235 07864 | Shakuntala : +91 98502 54679 |
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