| Revival & Strengthening Traditional Local Self-Governance | Lobby Advocacy |
Networking & Solidarity | Involvement in National & International Level | Affiliation with ICITP
| Publication & Dissemination | Research & Documentation | Paintings |

1. Revival of Traditional Local Self-governance and Culture
2. Networking and Solidarity
3. Lobby Advocacy
A. Pro poor Lobby Advocacy
B. Lobby-Advocacy among planners politicians, Bureaucrats, Development Partners, Human
Rights Organisation etc. for Adivasi empowerment
C. Release of Postage Stamp in honour of Saheed Sido and Kanhu Murmu
D. Contribution as Member of Working Group for the empowerment of the Tribals setup by
the Planning Commission, Govt. of India

Santals have their own traditional institutions/organisations for self-governance known as Manjhi Pargana System (MPS). These instituions of local self-governance have been functional at the earlier days at the village (Ato Baisi), intermediate (Pargana Baisi) and at district (Disom Manjhi) level. However, hundreds of years of domination have made these institutions dormant and/or defunct. However, the enactment of The Provisions of Panchayat (Extended to the Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 (PESA-96 Act) by the Parliament of India and its subsequent ratification by the State Govts. Have empowered these traditional village councils. But the challenge lies with the implementation of this Act.

AISWACS has taken up this challenge of reviving these institutions so that they truly become instruments of development for the Santals/Adivasis in the rural India. AISWACS is addressing this issue through two important Projects they are:
1. Participatory Action Research on Adivasi Self-Rule (PAR on ASR)
2. Training on Development of Legal Capacity among Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) members for Poverty Alleviation in Santal Parganas, Jharkhand.

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Networking and Solidarity Building among Santal/Adivasi organisation and other like minded institutions.

AISWACS has already been involved in networking Santal NGOs and social movements under the banner of World Santal Solidarity Forum (WSSF); over 40 Santal Organisations are already affiliated to WSSF.

AISWACS has developed a good working relationship with the Societal Institutions in its area of involvement. We believe in promoting solidarity with the organizations and/or institutions struggling against various social injustices and trying to bring about transformation in adivasi society.

AISWACS has a very good working relationship with the social service/social development institutions of the Churches in the target area e. i. in Santal Parganas and adjoining areas. Thus the religious leaders in Dumka (Jharkhand), Raiganj, (West Bengal) and Bhagalpur (Bihar) are well aware of the activities of AISWACS. We also share our views and interact with them regularly on issues pertaining to the transformation of adivasis.

Involvement of AISWACS in National and International level: AISWACS is also involved in the national level by creating opinions in favour of the adivasis in the political and bureaucratic circles through a process of active lobbying with the political leaders, bureaucrats and social activists.

AISWACS is an important affiliate Member Organisations (MO) of Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ICITP); AISWACS also played an important role in the formation of ICITP and has been one of the founder Member Organisation. As an MO AISWACS has been invited to attend several meetings especially in various International fora like Working Group on Indigenous Peoples under United Nations in Geneva. Further Dr. D. Mardi the General Secretary of AISWACS has been elected as the Secretary General of ICITP with the aim of sprearheading Adivasi movements to achieve social justice.

Pro Poor Lobby and Advocacy:
Pro-poor Lobby and advocacy for the Adivasis, the marginalised and minorities has yet again been another important sphere of activities for AISWACS. The Society through its regular interactions with the socio-political leaders, Bureaucrats and religious leaders has constantly been trying to uphold the Constitutional Rights of these communities.

Lobby-Advocacy among Planners Politicians, Bureaucrats, Development Partners, Human Rights Organisation etc. for Adivasi empowerment.

These activities have sensitised a number of Political leaders and Bureaucrats to the Adivasi issues and often have yielded positive results. Incorporation of Santali language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution (through 100th Constitutional amendment) is an outcome of intense political lobbying at the national level. The Santali Bhasa Morcha was responsible for the Santali language movement; and AISWACS played a key pivotal role in this movement.

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Release of Postage Stamp in honour of Saheed Sido and Kanhu Murmu

The release of the Stamp honoring the Saheed (Martyr) Sido Murmu and Kanhu Murmu by the Government of India was one of the Land Mark achievement for the Santals. This was an outcome of an intense lobbying by AISWACS with the Govt. of India. AISWACS had taken the first and foremost initiative and requested the Govt. to honor the twin martyrs of Santal Hul (Santal Liberation Movement) 1855-56. Subsequently AISWACS made available to the Govt. all the relevant documents, Photographs etc. and based on these the commemorative Postage Stamp and the brochure were designed for dissemination. Further Sido Murmu Foundation (SMF) was formed to expedite the realisation of the dreams of the martyrs Sido Murmu and Kanhu Murmu.
This historical Stamp was released by Sh. A. B. Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India on 6th April 2002 in presence of the Political dignitaries, Govt. officials, the members of AISWACS and Santals from Delhi and from the States of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa.

Contribution as Member of Working Group for the empowerment of the Tribals setup by the Planning Commission, Govt. of India:

Dr. D. Mardi, Hony. General Secretary of AISWACS and Secretary General of ICITP was selected as one of the members of the Working Group for the empowerment of the tribals during 10th five year plan period as set up by the Planning Commission, Govt. of India. As a member in the working group he advocated to a large extent towards inclusion of pro-adivasi policies for their socio-political and economic empowerment.

Action campaigns to assert, the Constitutional Rights. Democratic movements and Resistance in the form of Dharnas, Rallys to highlight various forms of injustices to sensitise the socio-political leaders and civil Society actors.

Publication and dissemination of Books/booklets and journals in Santali language is another important activity of AISWACS. These books are written by the members of the Society and have high literary and cultural values. There are yet other books that are aimed at bringing about critical awareness on the political and ideological structures of the State, root causes of poverty, the basic concepts of development. Further, various International Covenants like Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Draft Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Rights, ILO Convention 169 and 107 etc. have beeen translated into Santali and published; along with these various Constitutional Rights pertaining to the Scheduled tribes have also been translated and published in the form of small booklets. These books/booklets are used as training materials during workshops and training programmes. These are fundamentally aimed at socio-political empowerment of the adivasis, the marginalised and the minorities. Some of its important publication are :

1. Manjhi Pargana Bebostha - (Traditional Institutions of Local Self Governance of the Santals)

2. Hor Hoponkoak Oprom - (The identity of the Santals)

3. Rajari teak tojbij, Rajari ar Rajpat calao - (Politics, Political analysis and Governance)

5. Adom jatko lagit bises ektiariko, Num begar ar Adibasis totha ar Moreak Sidul - (Special provisions relating to certain classes, The Scheduled and Tribal Areas, and Fifth Schedule)

6. Lahanti ar Manwakoak mul jarurakko sendra ondok, Rengejok reak karon ar ona tengo daram reak dharako - (Development approaches to basic needs, Causes of poverty).

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Research and Documentation is yet another important area of involvement for AISWACS. Over the last few years AISWACS has successfully completed a number of Research and Documentation work in the social and cultrual sectors. In some of these AISWACS has been directly involved while in the others AISWACS has played an important role in the accomplishment of the Research project. These are:

1. Research and Documentation on Impact of Defforestation on the socio-economic condition of the Tribals of East Singbhum districts of Jharkhand.
- (in association with Adivasi Kalyan Sewa Sadan (AKSS), Purnia, Bihar)

2. An analytical study on Manjhi - Pargana System (the traditional local self-governance) in the context of the Panchayat Act 1996, among the Santals of Santal Parganas, Jharkhand.
- (in association with Adivasi Kalyan Sewa Sadan (AKSS), Purnia, Bihar)

3. An indepth study on the role of Santali Language for socio cultural and economic development of the adivasis of Jharkhand and adjoining areas.
- (in association with Institute for Tribal Studies (ITS), Jamshedpur, Jharkhand)

4. Research, Survey and Publication of Epics & survey papers on Kherwals of Santal Culture, Pandit Raghunath Murmu, translation of books entitled 'Kherwal Bonso Dhorom Puthi' and 'Jom Sim Binti'.
- (in association with Mr. Gour Chandra Hembrom, Bankura, West Bengal)

5. Preservation and promotion of the life-styles and culture of the adivasis of Purulia, Bankura and Midnapur districts of West Bengal through documentation and Exhibition of their paintings and photographs.
- (in association with Mr. Gurupada Soren, Purulia, West Bengal)

6. Popularising rare dance forms like Dak Bapla, Paikaha and Baha of the Santals through documentation.
- (in association with Mr. Ramesh Chandra Kisku, Asansol, West Bengal)

7. Research and Documentation on Socio-economic condition with special reference to Health and Nutritional status of the Pahari Korwas of Surguja district of Chattisgarh.
- (in association with Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, Delhi Zone)

8. Documentaion on the origin of the septs (clans) and khuts(sub-clans) including the creation concepts and mythological migratory routes of the Santal tribes.
- (in association with Singatola Society for Education Relief and Vocational Excellence (SSERVE), Malda, West Bengal)

9. Research and Documentation on Traditional Herbal Medicines used by the Tribals of Santal Praganas in the state of Jharkhand.
- (in association with Singatola Society for Education Relief and Vocational Excellence (SERVE), Malda, West Bengal)

10. "An analytical study on the superstitions, myths and mysteries associated with the practice of Janguru, Ojhaism and witchcraft among the Adivasis of Dumka district in Jharkhand".
- (in association with Rural Tribal Development Foundation (RTDF), Dumka, Jharkhand)

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AISWACS has been actively involved in developing Visual Communication media meterial aimed at senstising the Santals/Adivasis towards their own Historical, Political and Cultural heritage.The visual depictions of the events of Santal Hul (Santal Liberation Movement 1855) have magical effect uponthe Santal; it immediately emboldens them, liberates them from the shakels of inferiority complex and their hidden tresures of conviction self-confidence and self-estem brighten up.
Further Paintigs and Photographs depicting the Social Customes, Life-styles, Festivels, Dresses/Costumes etc. have been documented with the aim of educating the young generation (of santals/Adivasis) and our non Tribal brethren worldwide.

Photo Gallries:

1. Santal Culture and Life Cycle
2. Santal Hul

Books & Journals on cultural development are regularly being prepared by Santal intellectuals. These books pertain to the mythologies, traditions, customs, Adivasi self-governance (Manjhi Pargana System), Santal Hul and other social movements thereafter etc. These books are the Santali language mostly using Roman and Devnagri scripts. Sincere attempts are being made to make these available in Bengali, and Ol Chiki scripts.

Books/Documents already printed are:
Books/ Booklets - click here

Audio Cassettes
Audio - Cassettes have been produced by AISWACS with the aim of popularising the traditional/Folk Songs. The lyrics reflect the psychology, character, life-styles and the undercurrents (dynamics) within the Santal. More than 14 albums have already been produced. They are: