Press release

Make inclusive growth a reality say social groups at the ActionAid conclave

Hyderabad, June 11, 2007: A national conclave on major social issues concerning India today kicked off in Hyderabad on Monday.

Hosted by anti-poverty agency ActionAid, the four-day event 'Towards a people's alliance' brings together a myriad of marginalised social groups.

Indigenous and fishing communities, Dalits, Muslims, women, urban poor, people with disabilities and people living with HIV and AIDS are discussing a range of human rights issues including peace and security, food and livelihood, health, education and women's rights.

Rambati woman from the Sahariya tribe who has changed the face of midday meals in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh could barely contain her joy at having the opportunity to share her struggles and successes with others from across the country. "We were dancing on the train," she said.

83 year old Ravinindra who came from "the last village in Assam before the border" is among the 1400 plus participants. "I travelled three days to get here but it was worth it," he says.

Babu Mathew, country director of ActionAid India and a former law professor and trade union leader gave the keynote address highlighting the cruel contrast between India's economic boom and the increasing marginalisation of those who are left out.

"It is said that India lives in her villages. After the deadly growth that we are witnessing it must be said that India is dying in her villages," he said.

"This death and destruction of livelihoods is now spreading into the urban slums and the coastal habitats," he added.

Colm O Cuanachain, ActionAid's international campaign director said:

"I come from Ireland, and our two countries share a common history. Our colonial past; the struggle for independence from Britain; long-running discrimination and sectarianism resulting in violence and bloodshed; and today both countries are seeing massive economic growth running in parallel with social decay."  

"In fact the only difference I can see between our two countries is that here it rains for 3 months of the year, whereas in Ireland it rains all the time!!!"

Colm who spent 15 years working with international human rights watchdog Amnesty International now leads ActionAid's 'HungerFree' campaign.

" A recent survey by the Indian health ministry, the National Family Health Survey backed by UNICEF, has found that almost 46 percent of children under the age of three are undernourished. To put that in context Indian children fare worse than children in Ethiopia," he said

"We are faced with unprecedented displacement, threatening livelihoods and exposing us to mounting hunger and even starvation deaths. ActionAid finds that this is happening across the world and has launched the 'HungerFree' campaign" added Mathew.

Indigenous groups from Orissa are among those under threat from industrial developments. Many of their representatives are at the conclave.

"This is our place – we have been here for generations" says Ghasi Majhi from Lanjigarh, Orissa. "When the factory starts, the company will take over our land. What will happen to our children? We will become beggars," he asks.

Majhi lives in the shadow of a bauxite refinery built by Vedanta, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Their presence in a highly sensitive environmental location of Niyamgiri mountain is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court. The mountain holds deep spiritual significance for tribal communities as well as providing a source of food and livelihood.

"The challenge in India is not just to talk about making growth inclusive, but to make inclusive growth a reality. One step in this direction is to ensure a safety net for the poorest groups and that welfare schemes reach the people for whom they are intended. Rights enshrined in the Constitution must be made good for all citizens, not just the fortunate few," said Babu Mathew.

The conclave started with a bang as dalit women drummers took to the stage. From Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh they captivated the audience with their skills on the 'dappu' showing that it is not only men who excel in this art. Other cultural performances including Rajasthan's musical group Langa Manganhaar continued through the evening.

Ends.