Hi All,
Yesterday in Seattle, Asha and Aid Seattle together conducted Candle
Vigil. There was a little bit drizzling here with the cold wind but the program
was successful. It was actually a candle march for a mile. Then the group
gathered near a grocery shop where lot of indian crowd is expected. Though i
have not participated in the candle march, i have joined in the meeting
afterwards where the organizers told about the purpose of the event. We all
held the litted candles in our hands and some sign boards which speaks about
the issue. Some of us read the testimonials about the stories and the current
situation of the died farmers' families.
Its hard to digest the truth that there were nearly 100,000 farmers who ended
their lives in the last few years. And the most sad part is all of them
actually took a very little amount say in thousands as debt from the money
lenders. But with interests on this little amounts, its ultimately became lacks
of rupees.
The volunteers brought the print out of all the farmer names who suicided
only in Vidarbha region. But that itself came to around 10 pages with 6 point
font. Each one of us read couple of farmers names and the organizers read the
petition that they are going to submit to the PM.
The entire event was recorded by a local radio station here and expecting
this to be on air by next couple of weeks.
By sharing the experiences and thougts the crowd had on this problem and
distributing the pamphlets which had the information about the forth coming
events on this problem and finally singing National Anthem made the program a
success.
Hope the government will really works towards solving this issue by changing
the lives of back bones of India, the farmers...
Thank you,
Lalitha.
ulprasanthi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
For the Hospital Cleaning Program, Ravi Shankar and Vani attended.
Srinivas joined with them, was there for sometime and left. They were
there till 5:00 pm and they were very much tired. We will get the
update from them tomorrow.
For the Candle Vigil program, Chaitanya, Shiv Shankar and I attended.
Jyothi garu participated with her family for half an hour.
The Candle Vigil is arranged at the statue of Poetess Malla on the
tank bund. I went there at 6:15 pm. Immediately Shiv Shankar joined.
Within ten minutes, Chaitanya too came. BHUMI volunteers distributed a
paper about their demands for farmers. Everyone of us hold the candle.
But due to the breeze we couldn't keep the candle lighted even for a
minute. So they decided to keep all the candles at one place and all
of us sat round.
Many eminent people, from all walks of life, shared their views and
experiences. Some people sang inspiring and heartrending songs. I will
request Rakesh to share the soft copy of the demands.
Shiv Shankar left just few minutes before the meeting ended as he got
a call that a 4 yr old baby needs blood of his group.
Rakesh gave me the hard copy of the analysis of the result of the RTIs
that he filed so far on the issues related to Agriculture. He mailed
the soft copy as well. He will share these details in our sunday meeting.
I spoke with Ambica, a lady who is working for the families of whose
members committed suicide. (Weavers, Farmers and other skill sets). I
took her number and e-mail. She worked in Medak and she is now working
in Anantapur. She noted down my details as well. She said she will
attend the likeminded groups meeting when we convene. She resides in
Hyd. I told her that we can give used clothes. I also told her about
CAP Foundation. Ms. Ambica sings very well.
I think we can see the news tomorrow both in print and electronic media.
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