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MMuussaahhaaaarr IInniittiiaattiivvee iinn EEaasstteerrnn UUttttaarr PPrraaddeesshh ((AAnn AAccttiioonnAAiidd IInniittiiaattiivvee:: SSuuppppoorrtteedd ddyy PPAACCSS//DDFFIIDD))
CCoonncceepptt && CCoommppiillaattiioonn:: AAsshhookk KKuummaarr SSiinnhhaa
TTeeaamm LLeeaaddeerr,, MMVVPP,, AAccttiioonnAAiidd Empowerment is a process of increasing the capacity of individual or groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired action and outcomes
MMuussaahhaaaarr IInniittiiaattiivvee iinn EEaasstteerrnn UUttttaarr PPrraaddeesshh -- AAnn AAccttiioonnAAiidd IInniittiiaattiivvee SSuuppppoorrtteedd bbyy PPAACCSS//DDFFIIDD AA WWoorrlldd ooff ddiiffffeerreennccee ffoorr MMuussaahhaaaarrss
Empowerment is a process of increasing the capacity of individual or groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired action and outcomes
R
Reefflleeccttiioonnss aanndd LLeeaarrnniinngg
22000033--22000055
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Foreword – Page 5
CCoonntteennttss
Working Area – Page - 7 Introduction – Page - 8
About the Community – Page 9 About Musahaar Initiative – Page 11 Conclusion – Page 41
Goal 1
Page 12
Addressing Immediate Poverty Need
Community Capacity Building for Political Participation Goal 2
Page 17
3
Page 20
Community Capacity Building Goal 3
Page 23
Securing Government Entitlements Goal 4
Conscientisation of the village communities Goal 5
Page – 29
Page 33
Research and Policy Analysis for bringing about Legal Reforms
Goal 6
4
Media Campaign, Advocacy and Lobbying Goal 7
Page 36
FFoorreewwoorrdd We are pleased to present the review and reflection of our work in the form of this Annual Progress
Report. Reflecting on our work critically has always been our way of holding ourselves accountable to
the people, partner communities, governments and donors we work with. This report presents a cross
section of the progress, we are making, the lessons we have learnt and the concerns and challenges we
still face and are committed to addressing in the coming months and the year ahead. We hope that this
report retains the characteristics of openness and honesty.
In 2003 – 2004 & 2005, with the help of partner community and our colleagues, we made great strides in
our endevour of fighting against poverty and injustice through supporting and strengthening
community’s actions and initiatives. Musahaars remained the first and foremost stakeholder in our
endeavor. We invited them to be the part of our team in order to build their ownership of the initiative
from the very outset. The external socio political milieu was equally testing in Maharajganj like
everywhere. This is why that despite local non-Musahaars groups, panchayat members and
functionaries, government officials, media and other civil society stakeholders do accept the extreme
vulnerability and marginalisation of Musahaars but are yet to be as responsive and progressive towards
them. But with utmost humility we would say that our intervention today has set out a course of
mobilizing Musahaars towards self-analysis and collective action. In chores we have also strived to
enthuse a sense of transparency and accountability at all levels through the process of social audit. It
was indeed inspiring to see communities taking charge of their concerns and taking positive actions to
hold governments accountable and claim their rights and entitlements.
Beyond these successes at the local community level, our partnership with networks, alliances with
larger civil society organization brought a wide range of positive effects that affected poor and
marginalized people (communities) in many ways. Musahaars unheard and unseen hitherto, acquired a
place in public domain and stormed into public discourse and in many cases it helped to influence the
way of government and non government organizations, public institutions think and act. We also saw
our relationship with donors grow and strengthen both in terms of their contribution as funds and
solidarity.
5
The founding of Musahaar Vikas Pahal Sammitti as a new platform with more equitable sharing by
partner communities is, we see an event with far reaching consequences on the lives of Musahaars in
near future. The board members including partner community will take the onus of shared decision-
making and collective actions of our initiative in near future. With this development we see our
accountability further strengthened to the people and communities we work with and it will make us
more effective in fighting and eradicating poverty together. A board of members from partner
communities and project team are constituted and decisions were taken to give separate identity to
Musahar Manch (membership drive and community based organization) and establish their visibility in
the region.
Recent developments in our relations with district administration and government departments have
given renewed impetus and further enhanced the credentials of this initiative. The release of
department memos by the District Magistrate, Chief Development Officer and Sub Divisional
Magistrate, Nichlaul underlining the marginalisation of Musahaar community and a commitment to
work for their development, is an indication of the institutional linkage, that the project is gradually
begun to make. The District Magistrate Maharajganj has nominated, the Nodal Officer for Musahaars on
behalf of district administration. The Nodal Officer will work as interface closely with government
functionaries and Musahaars initiative to implement the government scheme among Musahaars.
“There is a gap in ongoing development and Musahaars lives, Musahaar initiative is bridging this gap”
Ian Curtis, Senior Advisor DFID
Finally we pay tribute to all our colleagues’ particular those who work on the front lines of our fight
against poverty and injustice. The progress and achievements presented here are a result of their
courage, conviction and committed action, in the face of increasing challenges and risks in supporting
poor and marginalized people to claim and exercise their right.
Ashok Kumar Sinha Programme Officer ActionAid International India
6
WWhheerree wwee wwoorrkk
Geographically Maharajganj is situated in the north - east corner of the Uttar Pradesh and is
surrounded by Nepal in the North, Gorakhpur in South Kushinagar in East and Sidhartha
Nagar and Basti districts in West. With international border along, the geographical location is
proving to be very strategic. The district is comparatively new and was formed in 1989 only.
Total geographical area of the district is 2948 square kilometer. The entire region, being a Tarai
area of Himalayan range is full of rich and fertile soil. Maharajganj is an agriculture surplus
district and is famous as Mini Punjab. Maximum and minimum temperatures of Maharajganj
are 41 and 8 degree Celsius respectively and average rainfall is 1446 mm. Administratively
there are four tehsil (revenue headquarters) in Maharajganj namely, Sadar, Nichlaul, Nautanwa
and Pharenda, in which parts of Nichlaul, Pharenda and Nautanwa we touch. Likewise out of
12 blocks, we cover part of six blocks. Nichlaul is the tehsil and block where Musahaars
concentration is densest as 16-gram sabha fall under Nichlaul tehsil.
7
8
IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn
Right Based Approach understands poverty as a denial of basic human rights. It draws together our work with the grass root and empowerment with action to address the causes of poverty and empowerment is a process ofincreasing the capacity of individual or groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired action and outcomes Empowered people have freedom of choice and action. This in turn enables them to betterinfluence the course of their lives and the decisions that affects themEmpowerment of people means enabling them to do what they want to do and be what they want to be.
AAbboouutt tthhee CCoommmmuunniittyy
‘Mushahar’-the term on being translated in to English emits off a meaning that is synonymous to ‘Rat eaters’. But in reality, search for food compels them at times to follow field rodents and glean grains from their burrows. Chronic hunger is an overt display of multiple poverty syndromes that Musahar suffers from. Originally Musahars were forest dwellers and used to depend upon forest produce and agriculture. But eventually they have become landless agricultural labourers. Socially they are considered as lowest among the Dalits. Musahar lives on double jeopardy of fear and deprivation. Listed under Schedule Caste category in Uttar Pradesh, Musahaar live at the margin of society. Many are indebted with dismal
conditions of health and education. They are also marginalised in terms of justice and rights – disenfranchised in terms of land and common property resources. Hunger creeps in to their lives especially in the distress months. Limited coverage, inapt and inadequate distribution of Antyodaya, Annapurna, National Old age Pension Schemes, Widow Pension Scheme, Maternity and Family benefit schemes and such other social security schemes are only deepening the hunger crises in Musahaars.
Musahaar Vulnerability - source: baseline
335139
4537
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Landlessness Homestead land No ration card indebtedness Land mortgaged
9
Politically voiceless their representation in local panchayats as well as in the Dalit movement is nearly absent. Although services have been provided in many Musahaar villages but the Musahaar hardly access these. Even local non-Musahaars groups, panchayat members and functionaries, government officials, media and other civil society stakeholders do accept the extreme vulnerability and marginalisation of Musahaars but are not as responsive and progressive towards them.
10
MMuussaahhaaaarr IInniittiiaattiivvee Working with marginalised groups is one of the basic principles of ActionAid India. Accordingly Musahaars Empowerment Project in Maharajganj district by ActionAid India is a part of its larger initiative with Musahaar Community in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
With these objectives, project has facilitated the partner community for their self-analysis. This self-analysis helped in identifying development issues, which are Issues Prevalent in the area (a macro view): Together with the community and with the process of self-analysis and awareness, we have identify following issues
Vision The vision of this initiative is to demonstrate sustainable and replicable model interventions for empowerment of vulnerable community like Musahaars by means of collective action, supported by grass root measures for food and livelihood security, political participation, peoples plan and research and advocacy at micro and macro level.
Chronic Hunger and to a large extent Food insecurity (Intra and Inter household)
Indebtedness (due to a large access and control over the informal credit system in the area)
Lack of access and control over the agriculture, homestead land and other common property resources by the Musahars
Objectives: Enabling environment for Musahars
to raise their voice and concern at various forum Lack of access to functional
education/health system by Musahar people Improved access to government
programs, services (like education and health) and schemes
Absence of political representation of the community in the Panchayati Raj Institutions and no participation of the Musahar in the Panchayati Raj Institutions
Ensure household food security and comprehensive livelihood options for Musahars
Build a sensitized and empathetic civil society and Panchayati Raj Institutions towards issues and concerns of Musahars
Inadequate livelihood opportunity for Musahaar
11
Addressing Immediate
Poverty Needs Goal 1
12
Empowerment with grass root action and provision of services
Accomplishment 49-grain bank to reduce the hunger
gap amongst the Musahaar community Formed 74 SHGs (Female 64 and
male 3), Rs 104728(Female saving 91583; male savings Rs.13135) to meet their immediate credit needs for their survival and other consumption needs. 1 Self Help Group has got accreditation of Cash Credit Limit and 4 SHGs have been graded to be included for Cash Credit Limit.
47-health check up and awareness camps with help from PHC, 4077 Musahaars and 660 non-Musahaars benefited
118 Musahaars (96 females and 22 males) beneficiaries from 35(31 female and 4 male) SHGs have started income generating activities. In Kalnahi musahaar tola, fisheries as collective income Generating Programmehave also been started The revolving fund for Income Generating Programme is Rs. 1,87700 (Female Rs. 1,67,700, male Rs.20, 000).
Rs 482200 as support to free the Rehan (mortgage land) of 142 Musahaars
77 Musahaars 29 females and 48 males benefited from a total of Rupees 90000 as health revolving fund. Rest of the amount is their with the tola to be used later on.
With our baseline we have data and
information outlining the extreme
vulnerability and marginalisation of
this community. Almost all the families
are food insecure and face hunger in
distressed months of July –September
and December- January. Health is one
reason Musahaars get trapped in the
webs of indebtedness and mortgaging.
Having analyzed it addressing
immediate poverty needs becomes our
approach. Initiative for Grain Bank,
Health Revolving Fund, formation of
Self Help Groups, initiative for
livelihood support and freeing up the
mortgaged land are to name a few.
Using tools like Participatory Poverty
analysis (PPA), wealth ranking and
Vulnerability analysis, we reached out
to the most marginalised individuals/
families among Musahaars.
While at one hand we have delivered
services to meet their immediate
poverty needs, on the other hand we
have empowered and educated them to
demand their rights and entitlements1
1 State has the provision eight social and food security schemes for the poor peoples living Below Poverty Lines.
13
Simultaneously we worked to inform and educate the community about the basic services2 provided by the government. Initiative for Providing Food Security Grain bank
Grain banks functions as a community owned and self-managed mechanism3 to reduce the hunger gap among Musahaars. The contribution from the community is considered as, an indicative to their participation. However those who4 were not in a position to give their contribution also received the benefits from the grain bank. Thus the project successfully advanced
the concept of reaching to the last
2 Primary Health Care and education 3 Every grain bank in the village has a grain bank management committee comprising of three women and two men 4 Persons With disability, elderly persons and orphan children, destitute and deserted women
TARA The case study shows that one of the most vulnerable Tara, who runs marathon to meet the two ends, didn't feel the curse of rainy season- the distressed months this year, because there was grain bank and Self Help Group in her hamlet. At 30, Tara lives in Buchiya tola of Sabya gram sabha. She is a widow and has no children. This year on 3rd March 2003 her husband, Brijlal met with a train accident while crossing the railway line at Gurli and died on the spot. Now she lives alone in her hut. There is a meagre piece of land in Brijlal's name, which remains submerged for most of the time in the year. Though, they used to sow paddy every year hoping against hope that this year it might not get ruined. She had no means of survival left, as her maternal family in Kalnahi too was not in a position to help her in any way. In this crisis period she got help from the anaaj kosh. She has a buffalo now that has given birth to a calf (baby buffalo called 'Padi') and ismilking now. Four years back Brijlal had taken this buffalo on 'Bataee' from some Kushwaha of Ahirauli. It means that whatever milk the buffalo gives will be distributed equally between the actual owner and the raiser. The buffalo gives 2 liters of milk daily and Kushwaha takes half of it. Thus Tara sells rest one-liter milk to the local milkman in the village at the rate of Rs 8 a liter. This is what her earning is. But for that too, she toils for 6-8 hours in collecting the fodder preparing it for the buffalo. But before all this when she found nothing to do during ' bhado' (rainy season) she got 10 kg of free wheat from the grain bank and another 15 kg that she'll return to the anaaj kosh. Not only that Tara is also a member of the Self- Help Group and saves Rs 20/= every month. She says with a smile on her face "e baar bhado bujhaaeel na" (This time I didn't feel the hardships of rainy season)
Grain Bank providing Food Security during Distress Months
14
Initiative towards Providing Health Security Health Revolving Fund We introduce the concept of revolving fund to meet the immediate health needs of the community. The basic purpose was to disengage Musahaars with irony of chronic indebtedness and help them improve their condition. The fund was rooted through Musahaars Manch5 bank account at village and district level. While some amount for emergency was always available with the community. The high point of this initiative was that it was fully in the hands of the community to take decisions and manage it. However our learning says that the concept of revolving fund needs to be melting more intensely in order to sustain it. Also there is a need to in place a
5 A membership based two tiers Community Organization that has separate bank account and villagers are the signatories.
community based monitoring mechanism to ensure the utilization of funds for health purposes only. By sensitizing the local health set up and educating community on preventive and curative measure, we worked for the promotion of health rights of Musahaars. Whether it was regularizing the visit of ANM or informing PHC about the deteriorating public health and sanitation situation in the villages or chipping in the routine immunization and pulse polio immunization drive, we made concentrated efforts to address their health issues of Musahaar (focus children & women). Though our focus was with Musahaar community, but Non-Musahaar community also benefited from this health drive and this finally helped in bridging the gap between Musahaar and other community of the area.
Beneficiary of the Health Camp
15
Self Help Groups and promotion
of alternative livelihood
Formation of Self-Help Groups was done to meet their day-to-day consumption needs and promote the habit of thrift and saving. The facilitation of SHGs was done with a community centric approach in line with basic self-help approach. Form the outset we made effort to link up with government supported Sampurna Gramin Swarojgar Yojna (SGSY). We funded SHGs to support individuals/collectives to start income generating activities. Every such initiative preceded a detailed and thorough Feasibility Analysis Study. Our focus was mainly on meeting local needs. Rehan Churaao Abhiyan We aim to open sustainable livelihood
for Musahaars. Accordingly we
financed the money for freeing their
mortgaged land. The amount was
channelising through Self-help
Groups/ Musahaars Manch. The nature
of this support will be remaining
revolving in future. It accelerated the
access of Musahaars on the fertile land
resources of the region and also was
instrumental in sensitizing non-
Musahaars, government and panchayat
functionaries and political class. Still
the challenge remains if the Musahaars
are able to do utilize the land for
farming. Thus the project successfully
advanced the concept of reaching to the
last with various interventions to
address the immediate needs of poor
people.
Panmati at her shop
Rajwatia w/o Tilakdhari receiving her mortgaged land Acquisition papers
16
Community Capacity building for political Participation
Goal 2
Musahaars are politically voiceless. Their representation and say in the Local Self Governance is almost negligible. Even those who are members of the panchayat are titular only. The Capacity building of the community is being done to enhance their level of participation in the political mainstream and local self-governance process. We undertook major initiatives for information dissemination and education on basic provision of Panchayati Raj Institutions. They were made aware of their rights as voters, encouraged to participate in the gram sabha meetings. The process is on to encourage Musahaars to stand for forthcoming panchayat elections 2005. Their capacities are also being built up around issues relating to negotiation for their rights and benefits when village level schemes are designed. The cadres have been trained and prepared peoples' plans - Lok Adhikar Yojana.
17
CCaaddrree BBuuiillddiinngg ffoorr ppllaannnniinngg ooff LLookk AAddhhiikkaarr AAbbhhiiyyaann
Initiatives towards Political Participation of the Musahaars dialoguing with Lok Sabha candidates
Accomplishment
Training and capacity building of cadres on participatory planning
24 Micro plans prepared and presented in respective gram sabha meeting
Increased participation of musahaar in the gram sabha meeting – Musahaars names are proposed in resolution for benefits.
Dialogue with Lok sabha candidates and their representatives from different political parties on safeguarding their interests
On 5th April 2004 Musahaar Manch organized a large public meeting in block campus of Nichlaul tehsil in Maharajganj district. The main purpose of this meeting was to hold a dialogue with Lok Sabha candidates from different political parties in an effort to bring Musahaars issue in the political agenda of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Musahaars gathered under the banner of Musahaar Manch and were quick to use this opportunity to give an expression to the crisis faced by the community in the region. Nearly a thousand Musahaars gathered from across the entire area in Nichlaul to participate in the dialogue
with Lok sabha candidates in fray from different political parties in forthcoming Lok sabha election. The event
highlighted the crisis faced by the community and accordingly put forth the demands before the prospective Member of Parliament. For Musahaars, for larger civil society groups and for
Udassi strongly articulated following demands of Musahaars Manch and sought solidarity from different political parties and civil society groups.
Scheduled tribe status for Musahaars whose life styles are similar to that of tribes
Special components for Musahaars in district plan and Purvanchal Vikas Nidhi
Special package for flood hit Musahaars and non Musahaars families in the area
To ensure 100 days of minimum employment guarantee in a year for
Different political parties too it was an unusual event. For the first time in the history of Maharajganj that Musahaars gathered together to hold dialogue with candidates of loksabha election. The candidates and their representatives reflected it again and again in their speeches. But for Udassi who till recently was confined to the boundaries of her hamlet working day and night to help her family it was a real big occasion perhaps a lifetime chance. Perhaps, a lifetime chance. Who is now nominated as the vice president of Musahaars Manch? She took everyone by surprise, said emphatically “je baghe se bachave ke khatir hamke kora mein lukwaee unke hamni ke kapare par baithawal jayee” that this time Musahaars are not going to waste away their votes, instead they're going to vote
18
only to those who will provide them security and tact them from the dangers of hunger, disease, indebtedness, illiteracy and feudal mind set She also strongly articulated following demands of Musahaars Manch and sought solidarity from different political parties and civil society groups. Speaking on the occasion Congress candidate appreciated Musahaars Vikas Pahal for its endevour to promote self-advocacy in Musahaars. He said, he does Not want to use this platform to gain political mileage but want to assure that since now he is aware of their problems he will continue to work for Musahaars issue. He wins the election or otherwise will not affect his position. Like wise the representatives of the SP, BSP and BJP also supported Musahaars demands. They said that they with the help from grass root cadre take up Musahaars issue in village panchayat. Media, non-Musahaars groups, panchayat functionaries and civil society groups
who were present in the meeting in the large number, termed the event as “path breaking” as for the first time poor people successfully articulated their issues and involved political candidates in the process. Now sine election is over in region and result is awaited, Musahaar hope that winning candidate will consider their issues in the coming days. The process is on to encourage Musahaars to stand for forthcoming panchayat elections 2005. Their capacities are also being built up around issues relating to negotiation for their rights and benefits when village level schemes are designed.
Musahaars Manch Vice President Udassi in the Jansabha
”We are not going to waste away our vote this time.We will vote only to those who are going to protect us from hunger, illeteracy and diseaese and feudalism”
19
CCoommmmuunniittyy IInnssttiittuuttiioonn BBuuiillddiinngg
GGooaall 33
20
Initiatives towards Formation of Community Based Organization Musahaar Manch Formation of a Community Based Organization6 of Musahaars is first step towards realization of rights and empowerment of the community. We focus on to build an advocacy body of
Musahaars, which in turn will make the government accountable and responsive to the socio economic deprivation of Musahaars. Our implementation has set out a course of mobilizing Musahaars in 73 Musahaar hamlets towards formation of a community Based Organization as a platform for self - analysis and self – advocacy Musahaar Manch has gained visibility among different stakeholders in the
6 A Community Based Organization is a platform of like-minded people of a particular community working towards a common goal for uplifting their own situation and position. It involves a process of analysis, awareness and advocacy by identifying local emerging issues and acting together on it.
rwaMfMaeepgmpcMtc
KKeeyy AAccccoommpplliisshhmmeenntt Formed Musahaar Manch
as people’s organization, 900 Musahaars aguwas working under its banner
Musahaars using more public space have organized 11 rallies to demand their entitlement / rights.
24 Tola Suchna Kendra become functional as information hub at village level.
Established Musahaars Vikas Pahal Samiti legally entitled to work with Musahaar.
egion. At present Musahaar Manch is illing to take charge of the grass root
ction and empowerment. In future
Musahaar Manch Taking out a rally for Food for Work Programme usahaars Manch envisages its role ofacilitating equal participation of usahaar in decision making process
nd thus ensuring their rights and ntitlements for an improved socio-conomic-political condition. It has roved to be a successful mechanism to ive voice and opportunity to the arginalised Musahaars. With this
rocess a sense of unanimity and ollectivism got strengthened.
usahaars are now a step forward owards improved socio economic ondition.
21
What is Musahaars Manch district level including 6 office bearers A membership based organization
Tenure of the committee is of one year
Not registered Representing nearly 10000
populations Re-election after one year Having a two tier structure Key Functions Working for the assertion of their
rights Ensuring regular inter and intra
community interaction Self-advocacy body of Musahaars Community Aguwas are in action
Identifying local issues and highlighting them.
The processes and steps involved
Interface between government and the community Rapport building
Addressing immediate needs Knowledge building and sharing Educating about the concept of
CBOs The founding of Musahaar Vikas Pahal Sammitti as a new platform with more equitable sharing by partner communities is, we see an event with far reaching consequences on the lives of Musahaars in near future. The new board member that includes community members will take the onus of shared decision-making and collective actions of our initiative in near future.
Aguwas identification Training and continued
facilitation Formation of tola level and
district level Musahaars Manch Structure
A two tier structure- District and Gram sabha (tola) level
25 member executive body at
22
SSeeccuurriinngg GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt EEnnttiittlleemmeennttss
GGooaall 44
23
Initiatives For Linking And Liasioning with Government Structures
Interface Camp: A Step Towards Direct Interaction One of the guiding principles of ActionAid is that state
has the primary responsibility for ensuring equity and
justice for the poor and marginalised. Accordingly
linking and Liasonning with government becomes our
development approach for Musahaars empowerment.
We expect the state to be the arbitrator in favour of
Musahaars while at the same time enabling Musahaar’s
action.
Our Understanding and analysis suggested that
Musahaar are marginalised in terms of justice and rights
– disenfranchised in terms of land and common property resource
inapt and inadequate sharing of government food and social se
further widened the scope of marginalisation among Musahars. Al
been provided in many Musahaar villages but the Musahaar hardly
3
esta
in p
2
Mus
help
bene
and
AOffiDist
A
coor
leve
wor
2
dist
reso
Teh
2
hom
7 Targeted Public Distribution System, Antodya Anna Yojna, Annapurna Scheme,National Old age Pension Scheme, Widow Pension Scheme, Integrated Child DevNational Maternity Benefit Scheme and National Family Benefit Scheme and othe
Key accomplishment
bridge course school
blished. 700 children enrolled
rimary school.
3 interface camps between
ahaars and government
ed 198 Musahaars household
fiting through food security
welfare schemes.
ppointment of a Nodal cer for Musahaar by the rict Magistrate at district level ppointment of a
dination committee at tehsil
l to monitor the development
k with Musahaars
3 long pending land
ortion cases have been
lved with the help from
sil administration
3 Musahaars received
estead land entitlement.
Bhikhari .a musahaar aguwa makes a point
before Pradhen,Panchayat Members and Block Devlopment Officer
s. Limited coverage,
curity schemes7 has
though services have
access these.
Mid Day Meals scheme, elopment Scheme r social security schemes
24
With this context we began to invite block, tehsil and district level government
functionaries at the doorsteps of Musahaars hamlets. This clearly empowered Musahaars
while for government functionaries it was a new realization to various dimensions of
poverty, hitherto unseen and unheard. This interface between government and
Musahaars clearly accelerated the pace of realization of rights and entitlements among
Musahaars.
Our commitment to transparency and
accountability towards multiple stakeholders
including partner community proved
significantly important in establishing
Musahaars image at district level8
The efforts to engage with government received
major impetus when district administration
recognized Musahaars as one of the most
marginalised community in the region.
Consequently a Nodal Officer was appointed
exclusively for Musahaars and a coordination
committee was set up at tehsil level to oversee and monitor the development work with
Musahaars. Besides, district administration 9issued department orders to include
Musahaar in government program, schemes and services. These include, measure to give
Below Poverty Line ration card Antodya card to Musahaars, Set up Ashram Type Schools
in Musahaars dominated block, include Musahaars families in social security schemes
and Indira Awas Yojna, launch of special immunization drive for pregnant woman and
children from Musahaars community and orders to allot entitlement for agriculture and
homestead land security.
Strategies that helped…
Strong articulation and demand generation by the community
Based on those demands and needs, interface and regular follow up action
Transparency and accountability aspects
8 We presented our development approach, strategies, programmatic details and income expenditure statement before district administration in social audit programme 9 Department orders by District Magistrate, Chief Development Officer, District Development Officers and Sub Divisional Magistrate
25
District level social Audit - 25th September 2004
Recently, we have completed the pilot phase of Musahaar Empowerment project in the
district of Maharajganj of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. During our course of intervention we
organized many social audit programmes at community level, which helped us in
promoting the concepts of transparency and accountability towards our partner
community. This also helped the team to spend more time for reflecting, learning and
improving the quality of our work with our primary stakeholders. All together we
conducted 11 social audits in Musahar hamlets itself in the presence of partner
communities, non-Musahaar communities, schoolteachers, media personnel, panchayat
members, representatives of political parties, government functionaries and the project
team. In front of theses gatherings we presented the project budget and income
expenditure statement. Though initially it looked as a one-way process but it helped in
increasing solidarity with different stakeholders towards Musahaar communities and
reassured our commitments for the values of transparency and accountability at levels.
With this backdrop we organized a district level social audit programme at the office of the District Magistrate of Maharajganj district on 25 September 2004. Entire District Administration (revenue, agriculture, forest, industries, education health and development departments) Panchayati Raj Institutions functionaries, representatives of Non government Organizations, media personals, representatives of present. The social audit propeople, communities, suppor
political parties, project team and partner communities were gramme is our way of holding ourselves accountable to the ters, governments and donors we work with.
Distrcit Magistrate Mahraganj and others of give a patient hearing to the presentataion of social audit at district headquarter in Maharjganj
26
“Musahaars are coming out of villages and jungles and speaking in front of all of us with
confidence to realize their rights / entitlement. It is a positive sign for ensuring
accountability of duty bearers" said Mr. Ram Kumar, District Magistrate of Maharajganj
district during his address in social audit meet. On 25th August 2004, Musahaars
empowerment project supported by PACS/DFID organized a social audit meet in
District Sabhagar10 of Maharajganj district. The purpose was to bring together
communities, partners, project staffs, government functionaries and other key players to
reflect together on success and problems related to our work. The meeting started with
presentation of project’s objective, approach, strategy, programmatic details and
accomplishment and challenges were made before the larger audience. The key
accomplishment of the project was presented.
Further the project staff has presented the budget realisation of the project in details. Of a
total budget of Rs 4695930 for 18 months PACS supported programme our realization
has been 85.62%. 87.73 % in overheads, 83.69 % in programme and 90.67% in salary is
finally reported. Project has spend Rs 25, 69,565 in total programme which includes Rs
10, 59,285 in addressing poverty needs, Rs 2,36,430 in Awareness Building, Rs 4,97,531
in Cadre building, Rs 98,792 in development communication, Rs 268196 in Institution
building, Rs 97,440 in Networking and federating the people's organisation and Rs
3,11,891 in Research and Advocacy. First time in the region Non Government
organization has presented its budget in the presence of various officials of district
administration, aguwas from Musahaars community, voluntary organization members of
district panchayat and media. This is step towards promoting public action and making
state accountable towards poor. As an agency we are accountable towards the
community, government and civil society agencies, so we made our budget public.
Udassi from Gedahadua and Srikant from Charbharia spoke at length about the lives of
Musahaars and the crisis they face. Srikant put for the demand on behalf of Musahaars
Manch.
10 Meeting hall of district administration
27
Speaking as the Chairperson the DM said that government has its own limitation in its
system. This widens the gap in people aspirations and government work. We all have to
work to reduce this gap. He further requested that all development departments should
include Musahaars in their programme since they are one f the most marginalized
community. He appreciated the work done by the project and said he will initiate actions
from his side to fulfill the demands of Musahaars Manch. He also said that the
responsibility of follow up rests with the project team. The Chief Development Officer
said that he knows Musahaars through the Initiative work and homestead insecurity is
one of the major problems of this community. He assured that among four Musahaars
dominated villages he will allot 100 houses for Musahaars community.
P
rincipal Secreartary, Rural Development, GOUP and ADDO Social Welfare
28
29
CCoonnsscciieennttiissaattiioonn OOff ootthheerr vviillllaaggee CCoommmmuunniittiieess
GGooaall 55
Initiatives for Conscientisation of other
communities Musahaars are socially ostracized; they face
discrimination even at the hands of Dalit. This
neglect and exclusion is equally visible in
villages and local panchayat. Hence we
intervene on the social environment of
Musahaars in order to create space for social
mainstreaming of Musahaars.
15th August 2003 Ledi, Karwatahi and Charbharia
Primary School
Many Musahars women took part in
the flag hoisting ceremony at primary
school this year. Champa of the same
tola hoisted the tricolor and took a
pledge along with other Musahaars
and non-Musahaars population to send
their children to school. The children
ate sweets. Same happened at the
Kalnahi primary school. While at
Charbharia the headmaster invited
Smt. Lachiya Devi, 40 years to hoist the
flag on his behalf on the Independence
Day ceremony organised by the
primary school. Lachiya Devi,
unfurled the Indian tricolor in the
presence of panchayat members, non
Musahaars population and enthusiastic
Tractor Yatra For conscientisation of Non Musahaar Community
Conscientisation of non Musahaars
communities especially those responsible for
the denial of their rights is attempted to
sensitize them to the human rights of
Musahaars and cease further exploitation.
The project facilities like health camps
remained opened for non-Musahaars groups
and it helped in increasing interaction between Musahaars and non-Musahars.
children. While addressing the
gathering, she said that real
independence would come only when
children, women and men are literate
and educated in the villages. Visibly
exited children shouted slogans ßgeus
euds Bkuk gS] Ldwy jkst tkuk gSÞ
30
Taking up issue of good governance such as activation of Public distribution system,
Integrated Child Development Services and Primary Health Centers could be done only
after eliciting active support from other villagers.
We introduced a concept Of “Musahaars Mitra” (Friends of Musahaars) to respect the
solidarity from civil society groups. In times of crisis these groups supported our
initiative with cash and kind.
Block Development Officer,Nichlaul inaugurates Tola Suchna Kendra
Tractor yatra, Flag hoisting ceremony in primary schools, winter campaign in cities,
Social audit programmes in villages, different demonstration and rallies provided
grounds for Musahaars for redefining their relationship vis-a Vis Other communities.
Musahars have set up Tola Suchna Kendra (Village Information Centre) in some villages
that also act as meeting points for Musahaars and non-Musahaars.
Despite these efforts we could not gain the confidence of other village communities
towards our initiative and which became evident when the process of Lok Adhikar Yojna
did not secure their participation. Musahaars will share the benefit of the village plan
was cited to be the main apprehension behind it.
31
32
Empowerment is a process of increasing the capacity of individual or groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired action and outcomes Empowerment of people means enabling them to do what they want to do and be what they want to be. Empowered people have freedom of choice and action. This in turn enables them to better influence the course of their lives and the decisions that affects them Right Based Approach understands poverty as a denial of basic human rights. It draws together our work with the grass root and empowerment with action to address the causes of poverty.
RReesseeaarrcchh aanndd
PPoolliiccyy AAnnaallyyssiiss
ffoorr
BBrriinnggiinngg aabboouutt
GGooaall 66
33
Duri
we
advo
the r
put
distr
func
Mus
A f
Mus
issue based research and studies. The
studies have helped in formulating our
policy advocacy plans. The leaflet
posters and pamphlets developed by it is
used for educating the community,
Leaflet on ICDS, PDS primary education,
and Anaaj kosh
We ha
under r
S
Syst
Dev
F
S
I
C
C
e
M
Major Policy Advocacy Issues…. Scheduled tribe status for
Musahaars community 100 days minimum employment
guarantee to all Musahaars families
Fair and minimum wages for unorganized sector
All eligible Musahaars be covered under Antyodaya anna Yojna
Special relief package for flood hit Musahaars area
Setting up of residential schools at district level with reservation for marginalised community like Musahaars
Special component for Musahaars in the District plan
Addressing Musahaar’s land rights issues with high priority
ng our course of intervention
identified a range of policy
cacy issues for Musahaars in
egion. We have highlighted and
forth policy advocacy in front of
ict and state government
tionaries under the banner of
ahaar Manch.
unctional Resource Centre for
ahaars has undertaken various Community Peop
Key Accomplishment
ve covered following issues
esearch work
tatus of Public Distribution
em and Integrated child
elopment Services
ood security,
tatus of Health & Education,
ndebtedness
ommunity Based Organization
hild Labour and its impact on
ducation of children of
usahaars
le of Charbharia getting the benefit of Food for Work
34
35
Goal 7
MMeeddiiaa CCaammppaaiiggnn
AAddvvooccaaccyy aanndd
LLoobbbbyyiinngg
36
Initiatives to create voice and visibility From the outset a media campaign is launched to bring to public view, the lives and challenges faced by
this community. At local level advocacy will be carried out with other NGOs, at state level with
academic bodies and the administration to ensure social justice for them. Information Education
Communication material such as posters and pamphlets will be printed on issues of Musahaars. Links
will be established with other advocacy efforts and campaigns such as Right to Food Campaign,
Education Campaign, Right to information and land rights campaign across the country.
We not only facilitated the coverage of Musahaars issue and project event, but also systematically
invited credible media and communication experts to capture and circulate the lives of Musahaars for to
gain solidarity from wider public. Issue based write-ups also helped in advancing our approach and
policy advocacy stand for musahaar community
We published posters, leaflets and pamphlets keeping in view the consumption needs of community,
government and larger civil society. Regional electronic media covered our certain press briefings as
well.
As part of our ongoing communication strategy for cause promotion we developed three documentary
films on Musahaars “Karm Mitra" - a documentary made by the on Musahaar community has received
Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award for best documentary. Similarly PACS project has captured
Musahaar issues in New Horizons11. Another film “Pahchan Ka Sangharash” depicts real lives of
Musahaars
While engaging with media we paid special attention to the strategic objectives set out for the
Musahaars empowerment project supported by PACS/DFID. Undoubtedly the timely coverage of
project's programs and activities in print media has helped in creating the "voice and visibility" of
Musahaar community locally and regionally. It has also been instrumental in breaking the culture of
silence among Musahaars, thus stimulating a process of their awareness and assertion.
11 a film on the poorest Areas Civil Society (PACS) Programme produced by LEAPFROG, New Delhi.
37
Initiatives for Building Alliances
Musahaars at World Social Forum, Mumbai (14 –20 January 2004) 'If the poor across the world are one, another world, a
better world is possible' so opines Meethaee Lal who
was a part of the 13 member Musahaar team that
participated in the World Social Forum on 14-20 January
2004 in Mumbai. For many, 4th World Social Forum was
special in many ways. That for the first time,
It was organized outside Latin America (Brazil).
Largest ever number of organizations and
individuals participated in the event.
A parallel event Mumbai Resistance opposed even W
A sad development, South African women was raped bbring a bad name to the WSF.
But for us at Musahaars Initiative in Maharajganj it was
special for only one reason- that 13 people from Musahaars
community attended it and even got the opportunities to
raise their own issues and concerns. 8 Musahaars women
and 5 men joined hands and added voice with the rest of
the world in echoing another world is possible. Musahaars
who participated in WSF, from the far-flung areas of
Maharajganj are Udassi, Tetri, Kaushilya, Lachi devi,
Srimati, Binda, Anita, Hari, Methaeelal, Shambhu, Jawahar
and Prabhu. From across the world more than 10 million
people from nearly 2660 organization from 132 countries
took part in one of the biggest event of its kind. Social movem
community based organizations, peoples organizations, trade u
environmentalists, gay and lesbian rights workers, acade
journalists, writers, critics, film makers, theatre personalities an
and deliberated on the possibilities of another better world. Fo
local media remained glued to the NESCO ground in Goregaou
U
v
s
S“iimlt
Three points helped us in oureffort of media advocacy
Close proximity with the
community.
Timely sharing of critical and
reliable information
Transparent approach in
programme implementation
SF .
y her compatriot which went on to
ents, Non Governmental Organizations,
nions, socialists workers, social activists,
micians, thinkers, intellectuals, artists,
d people from all walks of life gathered
r six days the world media, national and
n Mumbai.
dassi also supported similar
iews, while standing along the
tall of hunger kitchen.
he told the curious visitors that it was not that difficult for adults n the family to cope up with mminent starvation in the distress onths, but making small children
ive with it is a real heartache for hem.”
38
Musahaar presenting their Imortant issues at the World Social Forum. Musahaar woman watching a
Nukad Natak on Women Empowerment in the World Social Forum Musahaars taking out a procession
in World Social Forum
Amidst debates of whether such events will have any significance in the real war against imperialist
and market forces, 3 Dalit rights, women rights and child rights issues emerged as central around which
the programmes can be clubbed. Musahaars also got united and added their voice in Alliance for
Marginalised Community (AMC). On January 17 they staged a hunger rally in the NESCO ground.
They painted the upper portion of the body and, took out a procession shouting slogans and with many
followers from behind. One could read the messages such as hunger, Indebtedness, Musahaars are
landless and have no homestead security, painted on their bare upper half. On January 19, Hari got a
39
chance to present his testimony before an international audience in the workshop on Right to Food
organized by ActionAid India. With the help of facilitation and translation, Hari told the versatile
gathering that "Barsaat mein kaam na rahla par ghar mein chulha na jalele. Laika bhukhle sut jalan" (In rainy
season when there is no work my children sleep empty stomach). The participation of Musahaars in the
World Social Forum has certainly helped them gain visibility and relate to the align movements on a
broader scale. International and national media covered their stories and wrote about them. While the
simple Musahaars from a remote rural area of Nichlaul Maharajganj were awestruck with the intensity
and scale of the event they seemed satisfied to have had voiced their concern.
40
Conclusion:
Strategies that helped in grounding the Initiatives with Musahar Community -
Interface with government functionaries at the doorsteps of Musahaars – Realization of Rights, Self Assertion & Empowerment.
Adhering to transparency – tola, block & district level social audit. Cause Promotion through strategic media advocacy at regional level Inviting Musahaars fellows in the project Right Based Approach grass root empowerment with action to address the
immediate needs Empowered and visible CBOs in larger public domain
Challenges
Overcoming feudal set up in eastern up Ensuring good governance at grass root level Opening up sustainable livelihood opportunity for Musahaars
Now there is a need to work more on ensuring the sustainable livelihood for the
Musahaar Community with focus on women. In this entire process of community
mobilization, a collective group has been emerged which is totally guided and
coordinated by themselves only i.e. Musahar Manch. This document will act as a
resource guide book for different groups as well as mobilization of resources from
different donors / agency in the coming days.
41
