User talk:Bodhi-centre for adivasi dalit bahujan initiatives

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About the BODHI:

BODHI-Centre for Adivasi Dalit Bahujan Initiatives has been functioning from the year 2003. This project is launched in consultation with eminent thinkers and social workers and others. BODHI believes that in the present context it is important that the rural youth study the history and involvement of Buddha, Mahatma Joti Rao Phule, Narayanaguru, Periyar, and Ambedkar who are the inspiration for Dalit Bahujan Adivasi movements. Bodhi also aims to organise reading sessions, training camps and philosophical propaganda meetings. The main centre located at Tarnaka, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

VISION:

The BODHI centre aims to change the inhuman, unequal and negative values working against the Dalit Bahujans. In general the Centre will work for positive human values for all. At the same time, it will have a special focus to promote and work to protect the human rights of Adivasis Dalit Bahujans for their self-respect. It is a known fact that for ages Sudras, Dalits and Adivasis have been considered as lower than animals and were treated as second-class citizens. The untouchables were treated with the contempt by the upper castes. The BODHI centre will try to transform this inhuman trend and will work for improving their status and self-respect.

OBJECTIVES:

 The Bodhi Centre aims to change the inhuman, unequal and negative values and culture working against the Dalit-Bahujans. In general the Centre will work for positive human values for all.

 At the same time, it will have a special focus to promote and work to protect the human rights of Sudras, Dalits, Adivasis for their self-respect.

 BODHI will try to transform the inhuman trend and will work for improving their status and self-respect.

 BODHI would promote ideas of self-respect among Adivasi Dalitbahujans and would prepare them to shed inferiority complex.

 BODHI aims to create and develop conscious Leadership from among the Adivasi Dalitbahujans.

 BODHI works towards educating and uniting Adivasi Dalitbahujan to fight for liberty, equality and social justice

 Specific target:To achieve the objectives BODHI has decided to start libraries in 100 villages within three years in Andhra Pradesh.

ACTIVITIES:

 Promote the Bodhi Youth Committees (BYC). Each BYC consisting of seven Adivasi Dalitbahujan Youth, to maintain the gender balance

 To establishing the Libraries in the villages to educate Adivasi Dalitbahujan in general and Adivasi Dalitbahujan youth in particular.

 The Centre will make available the selected writings of Mahatma Joti Rao Phule, Narayana Guru, Periyar and Dr.B.R.Ambedkar to the Adivasi Dalitbahujan youth. The literature of modern writers who are continuing the legacy of fight for the cause of Adivasi Dalitbahujans will also be made available.

 The Centre will also promote the knowledge of English along with their mother tongue.

 Special training classes will be conducted in this regard. Lectures and debates will be organized on issues of prime importance.

 To organise reading sessions, training camps to propagate the Dalitbahujan Thought and Ideology.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

 It has already established 140 libraries in villages of Warangal, Nalgonda, Khammam, Rangareddy and Medak districts within Two years (2003- 2005)

 In addition to: It has established a Central library at its head office at Hyderabad. The total number of books are 1000, these books are Dalitbahujan literature and social movements

 It conducted two youth training programmes for Bodhi youth committee members Warangal and Nalgonda districts.

 Brochure releasing and centre launching programme of BODHI was held on 30th April 2003 at Press Club, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad. About 75 participants involved in the meeting

 Bodhi has promoted 350 youth committees in the most backward districts of Telangana region and other districts in Andhra Pradesh. 210 Yet to be established the libraries.

 Constituted an advisory committee of eminent personalities to guide the organisation

 Bodhi has organised a lecture on Production, Language and Telugu Heritage: Molla to Gurram Jashua by Prof. Kancha Ilaiah, as part of the lecture series on “Dalitbahujan Thought and Ideology”.

 It conducted ten book reading sessions for Dalitbahujan scholars, students and activists.

 BODHI had registered as a Trust on 18th October, 2004. The managing trustee is Prof. Kancha Ilaiah, the other trustees are Dr. D.Ravinder, Mr.B. Bhangya, Ms. Gogu Shyamala

 Cooption of the new members: Prof. S.Simhadri, Prof.Susie Tharu Dr.Chenna Basavaiah, Dr. K.Y.Ratnam and Ms.Subhadra. Mr. Ch. Venkateshwarlu was appointed as Executive Director of BODHI

 Formation of the Executive Council and nomination of trustees to the EC: 1) Ms.Gogu Shyamala -Chairman of the Executive Council 2)Dr.D.Ravinder -Member of the EC 3) Mr.Ch. Venkateshwarlu-Executive Director-Secretary of the Trust Member-Secretary of the Executive Council (Ex. Officio

 BODHI partners had organised two major cultural programmes, BODHI team have actively participated at Warangal and Nalgonda

 Philosophical propaganda meetings; BODHI team participated along with prof.Kancha Ilaiah and others in Karnool, Warangal, Mahaboobnagar

 Bodhi has organized two meetings with Nalgonda and Warangal BODHI partners and youth committee members, on Distribution of BODHI name boards and review meetings recently.

 BYCs members of Warangal were actively participated erection statues of Phule and Savithri Bai Phule at SDLCE-KU Warangal around 30 members

OUTCOME OF THE BODHI:

 The BODHI Youth Committee members are visiting the library regularly in the morning and evening. They are maintaining the library themselves. The book readers in the library are increasing day by day.

 The BYC has been conducting “Jayanthis” (birthdays) and “Vardhanthis” (death anniversaries) of eminent personalities like Mahatma Joti Rao Phule, Periyar, Narayanaguru, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, Komurambheem, Savithribai Phule, and Phulan Devi etc..

• They are organising cultural programmes, book-reading sessions and debates.

• Adivasi Dalit Bahujan and minority youth have been developing abundant self-confidence and self-respect through the BODHI library movement, since its inception. Not only book reading but also social and gender issues are addressed effectively through this process.

• Mainly BYCs are focusing to annihilate untouchability system prevailing in their respective areas. Like-minded activists and NGOs are playing a proactive role in mobilizing, organizing, and sustaining the BODHI libraries.

• Many of the likeminded persons are contributing to Bodhi libraries through books, furniture, news-paper, library building (space) and other resources.

BODHI COVERAGE

• BODHI libraries are located in 140 Villages of 68 Mandals of 5 Districts. 21 NGOs, 1 CBO, and many Dalitbahujan activists are associated with them.

S.NO Districts Mandals Libraries/ Villages Organizations 1 Warangal 24 42 10 2 Nalgonda 26 50 04 3 Medak 15 41 05 4 Khammam 02 04 01 5 Rangareddy 01 03 01

   Total   68      140     21

• Youth are writing letters to leading local dailies and magazines for situations that need to be addressed. Bodhi also receiving the letters from bodhi youth committees

• They have been speaking in the meetings with confidence, being organised by the Govt. or by other agencies

• Collecting the books, chairs, mats, and tables from donors. Understanding the socio-economic and political situations

• Celebrating the local feasts, Sahapakthibhojanalu (common dining) and Vanabhojanalu

• Women participation has been increasing day by day to attend the book reading sessions.

• They are conducting small studies since its formation. To understand the situation of the village like total no. of youth in the village, level unemployment, school dropouts, population figures of Dalits, BCs, STs in the village etc. the dropouts identified thus are sent back to the school.

• One Bodhi youth committee has created history in Nalgonda. They had collected funds to build a community hall (which is needful) worth 90 thousand rupees with the help of Fr. Rafill, Sanjeevani trust, Mallepally and Sramadhanam. The community hall now houses Bodhi library. • Bodhi Committees have been demanding the GP to build a room for Bodhi library and also contribute to the library.

• Bodhi is also participating in programs sister institutions activities as part of CWS convergence

• Bodhi have promoted four NGO organisations.

• Interestingly youth were enthusiastic to participate not only in book reading sessions but also in training classes, meetings to address the gender issues and social activities

• BODHI cultural meetings are drawing attention not only from youth but also from the Self Help Groups.

• Bodhi committees in the villages, from day one, are maintaining attendance registers regularly.

• Press coverage has been extensive to the Bodhi activities, where Bodhi is establishing libraries.

Number of youth utilizing the library facilities per day

• The total number of members is 2175 covering 140 BYCs. Which include 409 BCs, 503 Dalits, 113 Adivasis, 30 Muslims including 243 girls are involved. It is estimated that around 2175 readers are utilizing these libraries per day

S.No Category Youth 1 BYCs 1055 2 Others 1120

   Total   2175

S.NO Category Youth 1 Dalits 503 2 BCs 409 3 Adivasis 113 4 Minorities 30 5 Girls/Woman's (243)

   Total   1055