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AS
WE SURGE AHEAD - TOGETHER
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A
number of organisations and Institutions both in the Govt.
and Non Govt. setors have been our partners in development.
Among them
^TOP^
It
is not correct to correlate our struggle for survival as obstructionistic
to development. We too are human beings and need as much the
source of sustenance as others do. We too want development
- but in accordance with our culture and values; through our
own institutions/organosations consciously deciding our own
future.
However,
we have long been dominated over to stray away from our culture,
traditions and values. Our struggle for the present is to
remain cohesively adherent to the Principles and values cherished
by our ancestors. We abhor class struggle and race for better
materialistic world. We therefore appeal to Govts, Human Rights
Organisations, Development Partners - the whole world Community
to be our partners in establishing a new world order based
on indigenous/tribal (Adivasi) culture and values. Each one
of us have a role to play to create a better tomorrow.
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AWAITING
PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT
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Adivasis
- The Heritage People
Adivasis (indigenous communities) are the heritage people.
They still believe and continue to live by the basic human
values of love, caring-sharing, co-operation, consensus mode
of decision making, practise of human spirituality which the
so-called mainstream people have long forgotten and have become
victims of racism, classism, casteism and partiarchism. But
sadly, the socio-political, cultural and historical heritage
of the Adivasis is systematically dominated, subjugated and
distorted and are being replace by myth based history and
culture of the dominant community. If the present trend continues
unabated, it will inevitably lead to the extinction of the
Adivasis (as a community) and death of the Human Heritage.
Strategic
Challenges
The strategic challenge identified by AISWACS is to revitalize,
strengthen and promote the cultural roots and history of Adivasi
communities as part of their present identity.
Cultural
alienation, grown through disapproval and distortion of their
own historical-cultural roots, plays an important role in
socio-economic and political deprivation of the Adivasi communities.
On the contrary, relating and reconnecting with the own historical
and cultural traditions can be experienced as a source of
self-esteem, self-respect and dignity by the diverse Adivasi
communities. It can release the creative potentials of the
Adivasi people and thereby helps them to trust in their own
strength. The cohesive power of the culture works in favor
of unity among different Adivasi communities. To strengthen
and revitalize this power will have a synergetic effect on
all other mentioned problem areas.
AISWACS
perceives an additional challenge in promoting Adivasi culture
and values among the mainstream (non-Adivasi) population.
This would work not only in favour of the Adivasi population
but also facilitate attitude and value changes in the general
population (congruent with the Indian Constitution) towards
religious tolerance, multiculturalism, pluralism and respect
towards the nature, on which we all depend upon.
In
order to address this strategic challenge AISWACS has prepared
a comprehensive Action plan (Project) entitled "Capacity
Building on Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Adivasis".
The
objectives of the Project are:
To
revitalize and strengthen the cultural and historical roots
of Adivasi communities.
To
achieve this general objective the following specific objectives
are envisaged:
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To
capacitate the villagers regarding their ability to critically
analyze and identify their own historical and cultural
heritage, unmask myth-based superstition and politically
motivated distortion of history and assert own historical
and cultural identity
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To
create awareness on Adivasi culture and history among
Adivasi and non-Adivasi communities
The
target groups are:
The project envisions three target groups:
1.
Broader target group
· People living in Jharkhand state, 30% of them are
Adivasi.
2.
Specific target group
· Entire population of 50 villages (approximately
18.000 people) in Santal Parganas with 99% Santal population.
3.
Immediate target groups
· Village leaders in the village councils,
· Women, Youth and marginalized people (day laborers)
· Opinion builders and village intellectuals (Teachers,
religious leaders, socio-political activists)
This
Project with all its details including strategy and action
plan have already been worked out. Development Partners
and Human Rights organisations are eagerly awaited to accomplish
this task of developing the Adivasis and saving the Human
Heritage. For details of the Project kindly contact
General Secretary, AISWACS on santals@aiswacs.org.

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