GROW Campaign Launch Programme: Patna
Oxfam India - East India, Regional media launch was well attended by more than forty journalists, from both print and electronic media. This included representatives of national news agencies including PTI and regional news agencies including India News, Prabhat Khabhar, ETV Bihar, Hindustan, Aaj, Dainik Jargarn, Farooqui Tanzim, Sanmarg, The Telegraph, I Next, Nav Bihar and DD News. The journalists not only showed their interest in Oxfam‘s GROW Campaign but also asked several questions about related to Oxfam’s overall interventions around food justice. The journalists also interviewed the panelists individually and raised larger concerns about the rising food prices, inadequate food storage facilities, rotting foodgrains in FCI godowns, natural disasters and impact of climate change in the context of Bihar & Jharkhand.
The media launch commenced with a welcome note by Mr. Pravind Kumar Praveen, Regional Manager- East India, where Pravind expressed his gratitude to the journalists and distinguished Panelists present. Pravind gave a brief introduction about Oxfam India and Oxfam International.
He introduced Oxfam’s GROW Campaign with a brief introduction to the campaign and explained that the issue of food justice is not a new concern for Oxfam. Since its inception, there have been numerous Oxfam supported interventions which have promoted people’s right to food and life, he added. In fact, Oxfam’s first work in India was in response to the famine in Bihar in 1951, Pravind said. However, in recent years there has been greater realization to tackle this issue in a much focused manner and the new GROW campaign, which is being launched today globally as well in India is result of this pursuance.
He explained how today broken food system and environmental crises have multiplied the problem of food production and its equal distribution posing serious threat to entire humanity. All these concerns have promoted Oxfam to launch the GROW Campaign. This initiative needs the support of every section of our society starting from political leadership to bureaucracy, social movements and the media. And most importantly from people who are the centre of this campaign. Oxfam’s GROW Campaign has a simple message: another future is possible, and we can build it together. We have a vision for a brighter future where everyone on the planet always has enough to eat, concluded Pravind.
After Pravind’s welcome note and briefing about the GROW campaign, other distinguished panelists addressed the journalists present.
In response to a question, Mr. Shyam Rajak, Hon'ble Minister for Food and Consumer Protection, Government of Bihar said, “issue of food justice requires all around – multi dimensional coordination between different government agencies and support of NGOs like Oxfam India. The initiative like “GROW” is a noble beginning in this regard, he added. He assured his government’s continued support to GROW campaign and invited policy suggestions from Oxfam India to improve the food and nutrition status of Bihar. The Bihar Govt. has begun an initiative for construction of 427 godowns with the support of NABARD to strengthen storage capacity in the state, said Mr. Rajak.
Mr. Anjan Srivastava, renowned Film & Television Actor, in his address reminded Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for “a hunger free world” and assured his support to the ‘GROW’ campaign.
Prof. Ramesh Sharan, Economics Professor from Ranchi University said “the recent food price rise and impact of climate change have aggravated the pre-existing food crisis, especially amongst women, dalits and tribals. The government has to take serious efforts to make sure that the people’s right to life is ensured through universal public provisioning of food and nutrition. Apart from reforming the existing PDS system, the government should distribute millets and edible oil along with rice and wheat. This will ensure adequate nutrition intake. Also, the capacity of the masses should be built on climate change adaptation and mitigation.”
Mr. Rupesh, Advisor to the Commissioners of the Supreme Court on the Right to Food Case for Bihar said “despite Bihar’s growth rate going beyond 7% at current prices in the last 5 years, a large number of people still live with hunger. There is no doubt that drought and flood have also contributed to the people’s misery but the damage could have been controlled had the government put thrust on pro-poor agriculture policy and renovation of traditional irrigation in drought affected areas. Malnourishment and hunger have badly affected women, children and dalits more severely. 55% of the population is still malnourished and more than 70% of women and children are anemic. Bihar government has estimated that about 1.45 crore people are below poverty line. However, it is better that the number game of estimating poor is stopped and universalisation of PDS is guaranteed as a legal entitlement.”
Ms. Sabita, member of farmers club, Chandauli Village of Sitamarhi District shared her success story of how the farmers club has helped her in taking better harvest through SWI method. “This has not only helped us in reducing seed input but also curtailed the rat menace”, said Sabita.
LAUNCH PROGRAMME & CULTURAL EVENTS
(Launch of campaign, inauguration of photo exhibition, addresses by chief guests & cultural events)
Venue:
Main Hall, Bihar Chamber of Commerce, Patna
Participation:
The day long GROW Campaign launch programme has been attended by over 500 participants from Bihar and Jharkhand. Participants included representatives from Oxfam India partner organizations, beneficiaries of various Oxfam supported interventions in the region and other community members, members of various INGOs and NGOs of the region, members of people’s movement and networks, representatives of different Government departments, policy makers, journalists and artists.
Chief Dignitaries
The following distinguished guests graced the launch programme:
- Mr. Shyam Rajak, Hon'ble Minister for Food and Consumer Protection, Government of Bihar
- Mr. Anjan Srivastava, renowned Film & Television Actor
- Mr. Vijay Prakash, Principal Secretary, Department of Planning, Govt. of Bihar
Welcoming the gathering, Pravind Kumar Praveen, Oxfam India Regional Manager-East, said “with every day passing crisis of food security is multiplying by many folds and now time has come that we all recognize seriousness of the situation, we at Oxfam realize the need of holistic interventions with regard to food security for everybody and today at this moment we are giving call to everyone to be part of it as this ambitious task cannot be justified without collective engagement.”
The GROW Campaign was formally launched with the lighting of lamp by the chief guests. This was followed by a life performance of the Campaign’s Sandesh Geet. The inspiring Sandesh Geet has been composed exclusively for the Campaign in Bihar and Jharkhand. Afterwards, Pravind thanked the guests for gracing the occasion with their valuable presence. Briefly, he also introduced the GROW Campaing and shared the future plans of GROW Campaign.
This was followed by the inauguration of GROW Photo Exhibition. Mr. Shyam Rajak, Hon'ble Minister inaugurated the photo exhibition for general public by cutting the ribbon. The dignitaries viewed the photo exhibition with keen interest and appreciated Oxfam India for putting up the telling story of hunger and injustice through photographs. A total of thirty exhibits were installed for the exhibition which have photographs along with essays explaining various facets of hunger. The essays focused on drivers of poverty including access to food and nutrition, displacement, social discrimination, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, plight of women farmers and food price crisis.
After the inauguration of the photo exhibition, the Chief Guests addressed the gathering.
Mr. Shyam Rajak, Hon'ble Minister for Food and Consumer Protection, Government of Bihar said, “Oxfam’s GROW campaign is a much needed initiative and carries an ambitious vision of hunger free world. The Minister admitted that a huge amount of food grains are still getting rotten in government godowns in Bihar. We need to ensure that the stored food grains are not eaten by rats and getting rotten, instead the grains reach the hungry population through PDS system, he said. The Minister expressed his willingness to provide the necessary support to Oxfam India in developing models in climate change adaptation, disaster relief and public distribution.”
The renowned actor, Mr. Anjan Srivastava said, “it is very disheartening that even after 65 years of independence, we are still facing such alarming levels of poverty and injustice in this country. Unless we ensure that the poor are provided with adequate social protection by the government, the lives of the poor will remain the same. He requested the Minister and Planning Secretary to carry the GROW Campaign messages, which are well researched and has ten compelling recipes to address hunger, to the Chief Minister.”
Pravind thanked all guests and informed that Oxfam India will keep coming back to them for their continued support in making Bihar & Jharkhand free from hunger and injustice through GROW Campaign.
This was followed by a 20 minutes Puppet Show on the issue non-availability of food in the rural areas of Bihar. It was performed by a group belonging to Beetiah, a small town located in northern Bihar. The puppet show was well appreciated by the huge gathering.
After the lunch break, the cultural programmes resumed with the live performance of Sufi Songs. Singers from IPTA (Indian People’s Theater Association) sang a number of sufi songs penned by famous sufi poets. The songs engrossed the audience with its mystic aura.
The performance of Sufi songs was followed by a very energetic and skilful performance of traditional tribal dance from Jharkhand. A tribal dance group from Jharkhand produced a stunning traditional folk dance – a very distinct dance style which is a central part of tribal cultural identity.
Artist from IPTA staged a theme play related to campaign’s central subject of food and hunger. The play titled, “Bhoma Bhaat Khaiyga” (Bhoma will eat rice!) raised the serious issue of hunger and food scarcity in a humorous fashion. Bhoma, the lead character of the play, despite sustained GDP growth and development, is fighting for his one-square meal a day. The play depicted the status of hunger among small holder farmers. The play portrayed the tyranny of hunger and denial of right to life using sarcasm and orchestrated the prevalent apathy among the powerful and affluent. The play, written by one of India’s well known playwrite and dramatist, Mr. Badal Sircar was directed by Mr. Tanvir Akhtar of IPTA Bihar.
Hindi Songs on Hunger & Poverty and Puppet Show
After the powerful theme play the artists performed a number of Hindi songs on hunger and poverty. The songs which had thought-provoking lyrics on people’s rights, right to food security and rising prices left the participants deeply influenced. The artists urged the Government and citizens to come together and build a new prosperity where everyone has enough to eat always. The songs were followed by a second live performance from the Puppetry Group from West Champaran District of Bihar. This was a longer performance and focused on chronic hunger and the plight of unequal food and resource distribution.
Forgotten Snacks
During the tea break, along with “chai”, the participants were served “forgotten delicacy” of north Bihar known as Tilkaruya ka Tarua. It is made from the leafs of Tilkaruya – a plant which was once easily available in the region across Ganges river-belt in north Bihar. Decades ago, this used to be a common snack of north Bihar. The leaf has lot of medicinal value and is advised people with diabetics. Similarly, the participants served Marua ka Halva – a traditional sweet dish famous in Bihar. Marua is a variety of Millet.
The reason behind serving these forgotten snacks was primarily to remind everyone as how our traditional food habits which had high nutritional value and healthy appetite are vanishing from our plates. The new food habits are not only affecting our health but also in a larger sense affect small farmers, traditional food processing units and small industries dependent on local consumption.
Candle Light March
The day long GROW Campaign launch in Patna concluded with a peaceful candle light march in the evening with the participation of more than 350 people. The march commenced from the launch venue (Bihar Chamber of Commerce) culminated at the Mahatma Gandhi Statue located inside the historical Gandhi Maidan after covering a distance of little over 3 kilometers. The march passed through Magdah Mahila College, St. Xavier’s High School and the official residence of Patna’s District Magistrate. In the past, the Maidan has witnessed the launch of several movements during the Indian freedom struggle – the most important being the Champaran movement and the Quit India movement of 1942. The Maidan has also been witnessing some of the most credible social and movements in the post Independence India.
The Gandhi Maidan and Mahatma Gandhi’s statue echoes the values of GROW Campaign which calls for promotion of people’s right to life with dignity. The participants of the march carried placards with campaign asks in both Hindi and English. At Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, the participants pledged to be part of the GROW campaign and render all their support towards realizing a hunger free world. The participants also pledged to organize events in their respective districts and villages to mark the launch of GROW campaign.