Conflict Resolution through Mutuality

'Conflict resolution through mutuality: lessons from Bayesian updating' is the title of my forthcoming paper in the Journal of Quantitative Economics and the pre-print version has been put up as a working paper. An earlier version was presented at a conference in 2009 and the initial idea came up while teaching Bayes' rule around the time of 9/11 and put up in an earlier working paper. The abstract, introductory paragraph and concluding remarks of the current version are given below.

If priors are deterministic (zero or unity) and conditional evidence is uncertain (lies between zero and one) then Bayesian updating will lead to posteriors that are the same as priors. This in a sense explains the persistence of fundamentalist belief. Under such a belief system, only if conditional evidence is deterministic and diametrically opposite to that of the prior then a process of change can set in. Conflict resolution is possible through dialogues that calls for mutual respect and allows reasonable pluralism – a Rawlsian prerequisite. If interaction is the basis then self-defeating scenarios can be avoided by giving space to others. Thus, in the political sphere one has to be accommodative.

Attempts at conflict resolution are welcome and it is in this context that the theme of the forthcoming World Development Report 2011 is on ‘Conflict Security and Development’. However, it is a matter of concern that over time, instead of the differences getting reduced they may get aggravated; there is belief polarization. One possible way of conflict resolution is through mutuality and reasonable pluralism – a Rawlsian prerequisite that gives space to and respects others. This paper explores this with lessons from Bayesian updating.

In this paper we try to understand fundamentalist belief through Bayesian updating, that is, when priors are deterministic. Doing away with a basic Bayesian philosophy of subjective probability turns out to be the strength in the present discussion because it can also explain persistence of fundamentalist belief. This result is used to explain why Brahe fails to go beyond geocentric consideration whereas Kepler using Brahe's data conclusively proves the heliocentric view. The role of belief including experiences and views of correct scientific inquiry has also influenced research in probability: Sir Ronald A. Fisher concerned with reduction and evaluation of experimental data believed and developed tools and methods as a frequentist, whereas Sir Harold Jeffreys who tried to calculate the internal structure of the earth was aware that conclusions will always be uncertain made important contributions as a Bayesian. Belief (not necessarily fundamentalist) but at least in a subjective sense has also had an impact on many great scientists.

As Kepler's result led to a shift in popular belief from geocentric to heliocentric view of universe, one feels that the involvement of Islamic religious authorities can act as an effective counter to the terrorist organizations who issue fatwas by invoking Islam. However, to create ground for the effective use of religion one has to take care of another condition that affects the fundamentalist mind – the political dimension. To analyse this we make use of the conventional understanding of subjective probability, that is, it lies between zero and unity. One can also suggest a higher lower bound and a lower upper bound depending upon the context and this can be considered as part of the prior. This can be interpreted in social situations as one where multiple scenarios co-exist and form the basis for interaction. The role of associational interactions and their positive influence on Hindu-Muslim conflicts in some specific instances have been discussed by Varshney in Ethnic Conflict and Civic Life: Hindus and Muslims in India, 2002.

Having identified the relevance of interaction in the political dimension it suggests that the world ought to be accommodative and appreciative about the views of Middle East. If Islam has to play a positive role in countering the role of violence then conditions from outside should make it convenient. This requires a respect and appreciation for the other viewpoints; reasonable pluralism – a Rawlsian prerequisite. This approach, however, does not deny difference of opinion but rather consider this necessary for discussions and debates, a basic requirement in a civil society.

We do agree that the above two approaches proposed to be used in conjunction with each other do not exhaust all possible suggestions of tackling terrorism. This is consistent to our discussions using Bayesian updating in two ways. First, we are not dogmatic of our proposals and agree that these can only form a small part in our concern against terrorism. Second, by considering the existence of other possible methods we leave scope for multiple views. In fact, to tackle such a serious global concern the fight has to be in multiple directions.

Kisan Swaraj Yatra in North India

Kisan Swaraj Yatra (Farmers Freedom Tour) traveled through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand,  Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan in north India during 25 November-10 December 2010. This last leg of the Yatra is gaining momentum as the yatris and the farmers they meet on the way inspire each other.

Logo of Kisan Swaraj Yatra. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The current write-up being the fourth in a series of write-ups, the earlier ones were on the 28th day of the Yatra and then on the 35th day of the Yatra coinciding with President Obama's visit and then the travels of the Yatra in eastern India and all these have been based on the blogs maintained by the yatris. To put it in perspective, the Yatra started on 2nd October 2010, the 141st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, and ended on 11 December 2010 at his samadhi (memorial), Rajghat, New Delhi.

Yatris entered Uttar Pradesh through the Valmiki reserve forest bordering Bihar and Nepal and their first stop on 25 November 2010 was in Kushinagar, where Buddha attained nirvana (final deathless state with the soul abandoning the body). In the meeting with farmers there were discussions on 750 acres of  being lost to some project. Later in the day the yatris reached Gorakhpur where there was a rally with active participation from Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Poorvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti, Gramin and Development Services and Farmers Club, Mahirajgunj that ended with a public meeting at Subhas Bose Chowk . The meeting raised issues of Genetically Modified food (particularly Bt Brinjal), the forthcoming legislation's on biotechnology and seeds, experimental research for private companies by publicly funded institutions, and trials of such crops in fields without informing the  farmers and their neighbours. The yatris moved to Durain village, Varaniasi, and stayed for the night in a school, which is slightly different as the children are taught to critically question the text book knowledge and are very much aware of the political system and social issues.

Govindacharya addressing at Subhas Bose Chowk, Gorakhpur, UP, 25 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

There was convergence with BKU farmers who have been traveling from village to village in three districts in and around Varanasi. The day (26 November 2010) began with an interaction with the villagers in the school who like the students were apprehensive of the Yatra thinking it to be a political exercise, but appreciated it as they came to know that the Yatra is genuine about its concern for farmers and farming. Journey to Sultanpur was slow because of the traffic jam in each and every small town on the way, but the farmers there were eagerly waiting who welcomed the yatris by rendering slogans to save Indian agriculture. In the meeting, the need for a second freedom to stop the takeover of our land, water and seed by transnational corporates, which is unforrtunately  being mediated through the Indian government, was raised. There was a candle light march. The yatris left for Lucknow where they spent the next day (27 November 2010).

Candle light march at Sultanpur, UP, 26 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

In  a meeting at Shaheed Smarak, BKU members vowed to stop all trials of Genetically Modified (GM) crops. More importantly, women farmers vowed to fight seed sovereignty.

Women farmers vow to fight for seed sovreignity at Shahid Smarak, Lucknow, 27 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Travel from Lucknow to Moradabad was slow because of long delays at the number of railway crossings and a distance of 350 kilometers took 16 hours. The delay and had thinned down the farmers presence but there were informal discussions in smaller groups on 28 November 2010. Later, in a meeting at Kisan Bhawan, Chajlet  (a  building built by funds from BKU members) there was discussion about how farmers have always been at the receiving end and how there are a lot of restrictions on the pricing of primary produce, as against the processed goods.

Meeting and Kisan Bhawan, Chajlet, 28 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

A dip at the Ganges and the scenic beauty of Uttarakhand rejuvenated the yatris in the land of Chipko movement and Beej bachao andolon on 29 November 2010. Entry to the bathing ghat for VIPs (Very Important Persons) was a symbolic protest to convey that farmers' are important for the nation. Discussion with BKU members and farmers at Haridwar as also the meeting  at Dehradun later in the day brought about the immediate concerns of pricing, marketing, damage to crops by wild life, compensation for this year's crop loss due to unprecedented drought followed by heave rains subsequently,  settlement of payments to sugarcane farmers that has been pending for the last three years as also the medium-to-long term concerns of  regularization of land title including land title for women, seed sovereignty, environmental sustainability, state should promote wisdom of local communities that has emerged through years of experience, and state policies on organic farming should be connected with livelihood and culture of people and not be equated with market-based organic farming and cannot go hand-in-hand with the propagation of chemical-fertilizer based agriculture.

Slogan shouting reverberating the air, Haridwar, 29 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The Yatra moves to Himachal Pradesh where they stay overnight at Gurudwara Paonta Sahib and begin the next day (30 November 2010) with an early morning breakfast of gajar ka halwa. The collapse of a bridge in the area, harvest activities and the marriage season kept the yatris in a relaxed mood. An interaction with the Himachal Kisan Sabha a non-political party affiliated outfit brought about the issues of appropriate pricing for farmers, state facilitation for life and health insurance policies for all farmer households, the difficulties with hybrid seeds as the farmers cannot use them for further reproduction.

Farmers at Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, 30 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

On the same day the yatris leave for Haryana and were welcomed by the waiting farmers into the state at Yamunanagar and then the Yatra moved into Pipli village in Kurukshetra where there was a meeting in which the state's BKU leader, Gurnam Singh, welcomed the yatris and the ensuing discussion the high cost of water for irrigation (`6,000 per acre), non-implementation of the recommendations by the National Commission on Farmers (particularly the price support), soil degradation and the need to conserve resources for a sustainable agriculture came up. The yatris moved on to Mohra village in Ambala where they were welcomed by slogan shouting farmers who also donated generously for the Yatra.

Farmers welcome the Yatra at Mohara, Haryana, 30 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

After spending the night at Gurudwara Bhattha Sahib the yatris start the day (2 December 2010) with a meeting in Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab attended by farmers, teachers, journalists and environmentalists. On the current agrarian crisis there was serious discussion and the way forward was to look up to ecological farming with active participation from farmers and facilitating policies by the government. The Yatra moved on the the Students' Centre, Punjab Unviersity, Chandigarh, where they interacted with students drawn from human rights, social work, botany and environmental sciences among others and were also joined by the singer Rabbi Shergill who urged the youth to save the fertile lands of Punjab. The police tried to prevent the final event of the day at Sector 17 Plaza with this the yatris rented the air with impromptu slogan “Kitna dum hai daman mein tere, dekh liya aur dekhenge; kitni jagah hai jail mein tere, dekh liya aur dekhenge, Badi sharm ki baat hai, police unke saath hai, Hamaare haath mein jhande hai, police ke haath mein dande hai.” (How much power is there in your suppression, we have seen and we will see; how much space is there in your prison, we have seen and we will see; It is a matter of shame, that police is with them; We have in our hands a flag,  The policy have in their hands a staff.)

Street play, Students Centre (StuC), Punjab University, Chandigarh.  © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

On 3 December 2010 the yatris started with a demonstration against the Punjab Agricultural University  (PAU). Ludhiana because of its anti-farmer, anti-nature and pro-Monsanto agenda and were joined by past employees, social activists and also some students. A question mark was raised against technology that destroys environment, makes food toxic and puts farmers at the receiving end. Rajbir Singh of All India Pingalwara Charitable Society challenged the scientists to match his crops.The next event of the day at Khanna mandi was addressed by a retired senior entomologist of PAU who advised against using toxic chemical pesticides. The last event of the day at Dhudike, the historical village which was the birth place of Lala Lajpat Rai had interactions with farmers and discussed about farmer indebtedness, crop pricing, problems of tenant farmers and agricultural labourers.

Protest at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 3 December 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The next morning (4 December 2010) started in Bhotna village, Barnala where many farmer households are getting back to millet-based food and women-folk are also growing pesticide-free vegetables in their kitchen garden. In the meeting that followed, Punjabi songs by Jagdeesh Papra and his team pointed out the plight of  sone da desh (land of gold), about poison being harvested from the lands and a message of hope to farmers feeling suicidal and also provided support to a spontaneous Telegu song by Ramesh on how our land is being mortaged by our rulers thus, giving a pan-Indian feeling to the Yatra. The yatris moved on and were welcomed as they passed by Bajakhana, Jalal and other villages. In the final meeting of the day at Jaitu,  organic farmers were felicitated and a former agriculture minister of the state government Sardar Sukhdev Singh Badal was asked questions on environmental health issues, indebtedness of farmers, water contamination, depletion of ground water and soil degradation.

Organic farmers felicitation at Jaitu, 4 December 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Last day in Punjab (5 December 2010) started at the Goniyana Gurudwara where the need for urban consumers to connect with farmers and food was emphasized. The discussion also focused on how the farmer needs to think beyond single season specific focus on yield maximization. The Yatra stopped at the seventh annual Virasat mela, Bathinda, that showcases the cultural heritage of the Malwa region, and subsequently moved on through the villages of Mehta, Jaisinghwala and Kheoyali.

The Yatra at Virasat Mela, Bathinda, 5 December 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The Yatra has now reached Rajasthan (6 December 2010) and the day began with cold water bath at 3.00am during winter at the Dharmasala in Sangaria, but was made up by the hot tea served by Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a New Zealand returned engineer-turned-natural farmer.  Yatris reached Dhaban at 5.00am to join the villagers in the prabhat pheri, a one and a half hour long procession singing shabad kirtans and bhajans. Despite the cold winter, this communal event gave the yatris a warm glowing feeling. A visit to the natural farm of Kishan Jakhar, who follows the zero-budget principle of Subhas Palekar,  invigorated the yatris further. There was a meeting with media persons and others at Hanumangarh followed by an interaction with representatives from Khet Kalyan Morcha and Nature Human Centric Peoples Movement at Sri Ganganagar. The issue of local communities’ rights over their resources, atrocities by the Indian defense services in the area, non-payment of compensation to tenant farmers and agricultural workers for the landmines placed in agricultural fields, non-supply of irrigation water and police firing a few years back where seven farmers had to lay down their lives were discussed. Some of these issues also came up in Gharsana, after which the yatris left for Urmul Setu where they were severed hot piping food for dinner at midnight.

Another morning of biting cold started with the team splitting into two (7 December 2010). A public meeting at Ambedkar Chowk, Nokha where some of the contemporary burning issues are the following There has been no procurement of Bajra even after the announcement of a support price, the operation of a land mafia that sells of farmers' lands without the latter's knowledge, younger generation have little attachment with land, compound interests charged by banks on agricultural loans, purchased seeds that did not germinate and that the farmers have to wait for about 15 days in the market yard to sell grain. Interaction with farmer at a village named Sri Balaji brought out a demand/endorsement for a farmers income commission and a meeting with  95 year old freedom fighter, Mahavir Gahlot, brought out the reminiscences of Mahatma Gandhi.

One team of yatris had reached Jodhpur (8 December 2010) and had interactions with agricultural scientists from Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) and put forth to them four points - income security for all farming households; environmental sustainability in Indian agriculture; securing rights of farmers over their resources like land, seed and water; and ensuring safe, diverse, nutritious and adequate food for all. Director of CAZRI agreed that these are relevant issues and these need to be balanced with the prime concern of the government of bringing about 4 per cent growth in agriculture. The Director also pointed out that one of the objectives of the institute is to reduce costs to the farmers and come up with environment-friendly technologies.

Meeting at Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, 8 December 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Some other issues that came up are the relevance of adequate price support and their relationship with agricultural share in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), small holdings being productive and efficient but are not being sustainable because of high costs, some of the pro-farmer initiative in seed research are very minuscule and do not stand a chance against the corporatization of the seed market and this not only bring in a case for farmers' rights but also on researchers' rights, import of exotic varieties in a mass scale is eroding local diversity,  the rellevance of varietal diversity to address temperature and rainfall variation, one should neither import nor oppose technology blindly, and that technology should be build on the existing local culture and livelihood practices. Later in the day the yatris were accompanied by Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) members from Jawaja village and then moved on to Madkochra village where the Yatra witnessed one of the best interactions and discussions.

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) member with yatris, Madkochar, 8 December 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

On the last day in Rajasthan (9 December 2010) the yatris first went to Renwal where the delay added to the somber mood, as 8317 hectares of land is being acquired for a housing project and that too when crops are being harvested in many places after 12 long years. With this immediate problem in hand, the Yatra's agenda looked so distant. With urging some member agreed to accompany the Yatra to Jaipur and also take up the issue in court. In Jaipur, there was a public meeting with activists, journalists, students, academics and common citizens coming to listen to the experience of yatris. Dr Surjit Singh (Director, Institute of Development Studies) pointed out the relevance of decentralized planning as a means to address many problems. He also pointed out how liberalized trade has priced out oilseed farmers. Dr VS Vyas (Vice Chairman, State Planning Board, Rajasthan) mentioned that the Yatra is encouraging and shows that  he state has to have a greater role, as the private sector will not address the issues of farmer.


The penultimate day of the Yatra (10 December 2010) started with a meeting at Social Centre for Rural Initiative and Advancement (SCRIA), Khori, Rewari, Haryana where farmers took over slogan shouting and women farmers donated. The last public meeting in the evening was at Nityanand School, Rohtak with all set to go to Rajghat.

Women farmers donating for the Yatra, Khori, Haryana, 9 December 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

On the final day (11 December 2010) of the Yatra, some of the yatris met Ms Sonia Gandhi and there was a day long meeting at Gandhi Darshan after paying obeisance to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, New Delhi. We will come up with a write-up on this soon.

Kisan Swaraj Yatra travels through Eastern India

Kisan Swaraj Yatra (Farmers Freedom Tour) traveled through the eastern regions of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar during 11-24 November 2010. Their call to save agriculture and environment was received with zeal everywhere.

Logo of Kisan Swaraj Yatra. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The Yatra started on 2nd October 2010, the 141st birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and ended on 11 December 2010 at Rajghat, the samadhi (memorial) of Mahatma Gandhi. See our earlier write-ups on the 28th day of the Yatra and then on the 35th day of the Yatra coinciding with President Obama's visit. These write-ups, including the current one, are based on the blogs maintained by the yatris.

On 10 November 2010 the last day for the yatris in Andhra Pradesh at Vishakhapatnam, adivasis (tribals)  from different parts of the state as also Odisha highlighted about the loss of their land and livelihood. Meetings/discussions pointed out how new agricultural technologies has led to a loss of diversity and dietary practices. What is more, in the name of development, people have been displaced without being given any compensation due to the absence of proper land records. The day ended with cultural fest of song and dance indicating the symbiotic relationship between life and environment.

Dance by tribal women in Vishakhapatnam as part of Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 10 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Visit to Koraput in Odisha on 11 November 2010 was interesting because of a trip to a village, Umari, that required the yatris to walk four kilometers. The women farmers were in the forefront of discussions and were recalling the traditional varieties of rice that grew in the region, but it was a matter of serious concern as these were fast disappearing (also see a recent write-up on saving rice  in Down to Earth). The need for research and extension support that realizes the local advantages, which may differ from village to village, and integrates science that helps foster this was raised.

Interaction with tribal women after trecking for four kilometers to Umari village, Koraput by members of Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 11 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Early morning travel on 12 November 2010 from Koraput in Orissa to Chhattisgarh through the Jeypore tracts made the yatris revel the beauty of the undulating terrain and the rich diversity of paddy. This was also the theme of the meeting later in the day at Jagdalpur. The state government exempted the yatris from paying road tax. A former union minister of state stated that the agricultural policies should not be based on 'one-size fits all' principle. The need for different perspective for the adivasi region that appreciates the fragility of the environment and eco-system, the psychology and culture of the people and their inability to take risks or invest hugely in farming was pointed out. Farmers explained how they preserve varieties of paddy, or how one farmer has come up with a new weeder to be used under the system of rice intensification (SRI) paddy cultivation.

Yatris check out paddy varieties in Jagdalpur Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 12 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

In Raipur on 13 November 2010 the yatris interacted with academicians and Gandhians and the issues that came up were how life-style and culture related changes were affecting the poorest, that there is need for awakening in the mind, that the younger generation should rise to the occasion, that there is large scale displacement and out-migration from the state. The yatris also interacted with biotechnology students of an institute and told that their knowledge is only one side of the debate. The day ended in an interaction with farmers and labourers at Ravaan village.

Interaction with farmers and labourers at Ravaan village, Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 13 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The Yatra visited Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSG), Ganiyari on 14 November 2010 to see how work with health led JSG to focus on food and agriculture. The group has preserved 150 varieties of seeds in the fields of farmers. "The traditional varieties include some exotic-sounding local ones like Gondhaphool, Basmukhi, Phoolmecha, Rikwa, Bhallu Dubraj (scented), Ram Galli, Bhainphat (scented and super fine) etc. One variety called DRK can yield 32 quintals an acre and another variety that attracted everybody’s attention was Naak kesar – which was purple and beautiful. The shoots and seeds were all purple. The striking feature of all these traditional varieties is that they are all tall and long-duration. The tall crops mean more fodder for cattle too." Later in the day at Bilaspur the discussion pointed out how the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture have adverse health implications. It was also pointed out that the present fertile condition of land is because of generations of effort and this cannot be compensated through monetary valuations.

Rice varieties in a field in Ganiyari, Chattishgarh, facilitated by Jan Swasthya Sahyog, Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 14 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Back to Odisa on 15 November 2010 at Sambalpur the day began in an interaction with media persons and many local television channels were showing the footage of the Yatra. The issues of farmers organization like Paschim Odisa Chasi Samanvay Samit (Western Odisa Farmers Cooperative Society) taking up work in conserving traditional varieties of seeds and promoting ecological farming was applauded. The issues of farmers' suicides, diversion of irrigation water for other usage and appropriating community resources for the benefit of corporations were raised.

Farmers rally in Sambalpur as part of Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 15 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

In Bhubaneswar, on 16 November 2010, the Yatra urged the state government to scrap 'Project Golden Days' done in partnership with Monsanto to cultivate maize with tribal farmers. The yatris released the report Monsanto-ising Indian Agriculture and on the occasion, Kavitha Kurangati, a co-author of the report stated the following:

"It is apparent that corporations like Monsanto are only out to grab ready markets for themselves through taxpayers’ funds whereas it is the responsibility of the government to protect the livelihoods of the marginalized. It is clear from what is emerging on the ground with projects such as ‘Project Golden Rays’ that high-external-input-driven farming with hybrid seeds will only increase indebtedness of farmers, is already changing their dietary habits posing questions on future nutrition security, is threatening environmental sustainability in fragile eco-systems and is taking away our seed and food sovereignty. There is a need to question the intentions of the government when it partners with corporations like Monsanto which have a sordid history of corporate crimes, falsification and omission of data, bribing and anti-farmer behaviour like suing and jailing farmers in the name of IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights)."

Farmers strike down the Memorandum of Understanding between Government of Orissa and Monsanto, Bhubaneswar, 16 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Baripada in Mayurbhanj was the the last stop for the yatris in Odisa on 17 November 2010 and they were satisfied with a huge gathering of 700 or more people where farmers took the pledge to do away with chemical fertilizers. Thereafter there were a couple of breakers in the journey, first in getting a gate pass to exit Odisa and then to pay the road tax to enter West Bengal, but the candle light and floral welcome at Contai  made their day.

Yatris welcomed in Bengal style with flora petal and the blowing of conch, Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 17 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Yatris began the day on 18 November 2010 with a cycle rally and then visited different organic farms, witnessed street plays and saw the inauguration of an organic shop that marked a new beginning. The leaf plates in the shop were a boon for the yatris who had all along been on non-plastic stuff to eat from. The next day (19 November 2010) was in Kolkata that began with a seed exhibition. Discussions that followed emphasized the relevance of cow in India's agriculture, the methods of growing paddy under drought conditions of Kalahandi in Orissa and the need to organize farmers . Yatris left for Bankura and spent the night at Basudaha farm, a no-plastic zone and a low resource-use area. The farm, over the years, has conserved 690 varieties of paddy. In their last day in West Bengal on 20 November 2010, there was a padyatra (march) by yatris through a few villages and a post-lunch event explained how ‘wealth’, ‘paddy’ and ‘prosperity’ were synonymous in the local culture.

Display of rice varieties in Basudha farm, Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 20 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The yatris had a single meeting in Ranchi, Jharkhand on 21 November 2010 where the focus was on "the implications of the proposed 'Green Revolution in Eastern India' and 'Genetically Modified (GM) seeds' in the context of drought in Jharkhand." The community rights over jal, jungle and zameen (water, forest and land) was raised. Another point mentioned was how the input intensive cultivation is not only costly but also uses more water, which is untenable in a rain-fed region. Farmers stressed the need to have their own seeds, that the land they inherited from their forefathers is what they owe to future generations. The discussions on GM seeds/crops pointed out a move to 'colonize' agriculture through corporate business and as an infringement on our basic rights, stress intolerance of such crops, lack of proof of biosafety, and evidence on health and environmental impacts among others.

Yatris walk into the sukhad virodh abhiyan meetings, Ranchi, Kisan Swarj Yatra, 21 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Bihar leg of the yatra started in Patna on 22 November 2010. The aspects that came up in the meeting was that farmer related issues did not come up in the recently concluded elections for the state assembly and that there are no farmer-friendly policies, that the 'Green Revolution in Eastern India' was identified as 'Loot ki kranti' (exploitation-revolution), that the American farming model is not suitable to the Indian condition, that the issues in front of the farmer are also relevant for the urban consumer, that more such meetings are needed in the nook and corner of the country and that these meetings should be apolitical. Three demands were put for the new government.

• Promote organic farming in the state
• Not allow any GM seeds in the state including open air trials and make a legislation to that effect
• Pick up lessons from the earlier Green Revolution and ensure that the Green Revolution proposals are in the benefit of farmers and in a sustainable livelihoods framework

Yatris at Gandhi Statue, Patna, Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 22 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

On their second day in Bihar (23 November 2010) the yatris had a meeting with scientists of Rajendra Agriculture University, Samastipur. This university had come into news as they refused to take up trial for GM maize for Monsanto last year. There was a long discussion and three demands were put forth to the university.

• To take up more research on ecological farming
• To shun any GM seed development, trial and commercialization, from the university side
• To disallow any proposals on Green Revolution in Bihar, based on intensive models a la Punjab

Director Research, Rajendra Agriculture University, Contributing to Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 23 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Later in the day, farmers of Vidyajhamp a village declared to work toward being GM free and they will use their own seeds and in another gathering it was pointed out that Bihar should not become a laboratory for multinationals and biotech industry.

Vidyajhamp village declaring itself to be free of genetically modified seeds/crops, Kisan Swaraj Yatra, 23 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The last day in Bihar (24 November 2010) coincided with the day the election results were being declared. It was also important for the Yatra as it visited a visited a number of villages in East and West Champaran, the  the undivided district being the place from where Mahatma Gandhi started his first satyagraha (non-violent resistance) against the British. Two panchayats, Barsaha and Savangiya, declared that they will be organic and will also join the yatris at Rajghat on 11 December 2010. In another meeting in Madhopur, scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra accepted the advantages of organic farming but raised the issues of food security. In response, yatris pointed out the dependence on imports for our fertilizers. "They cautioned farmers not to fall for such false arguments and reminded that the only way the country can become sovereign, is to be self reliant when it comes to agricultural inputs and that is only possible when we do ecological farming shunning agrochemicals and GM seeds." They also came across a farmer keeping mounavrata (keeping quite or not talking, as a method of resistance/protest) for four years to propagate the use of low external input sustainable agriculture.

Public meeting at Madhopur in East Champaran where a farmer is seen keeping mounavrata (keeping quite or not talking, as a method of resistance/protest) for four years to propagate low external input sustainable agriculture, 24 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra   

Melodious songs by a local artist reminded that our traditional agriculture was both ecologically and socially sustainable. As election results started pouring in, the yatris got delayed in reaching their final destination, but were elated on reaching because the farmers were still waiting. Long live farmers!

(See our write-up on the Yatra in North India and we will soon come up with one on the final event at Rajghat).

Togetherness

I didn't know,
that an embrace;
in our,
magical-clasp types;
be a door,
to happiness.

I didn't know,
that a kiss;
in our,
softly-locked lips;
be an experience,
in bliss.

I didn't know,
that the moments;
in our,
day-night experiments;
be a life,
of sentiments.

I didn't know,
that child's chores;
in our,
otherwise-routine mores;
be like the,
unending shores.

I didn't know,
that love manifests;
in our,
multiple-different states;
be a bond,
of togetherness.

[For Nandini, my wife. © Srijit Mishra, 5 December 2010]

Aadhaar, Radiagate and Cablegate

Issues of privacy are cropping up in three events of immense importance to people in India and across the globe and it is necessary to put the discussion in perspective. The events are:

Aadhaar, the 12 digit number by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to be provided to every citizen.

Radiagate, a scam involving transcripts of telephone that points out the collusion between government, business houses and media in India.

Cablegate, is the leak detailing cable correspondence between the United States Department of State and its diplomatic missions.

In Aadhaar the basic demographic and biometric information - photograph, ten fingerprints, iris of eye will be stored, and hence, takes us close to do away with multiple identities. As this can be verified online in a cost-effective manner, it is said that this can be effectively used to target various public welfare schemes. Equally important is its intrusion into people's privacy and this cannot be overlooked.

Nira Radia, a powerful and influential public relations person, was lobbying for Andimuthu Raja to get the telecom ministry who in turn obliged with largess to the corporate houses and in this the media has been somewhat silent. A glimmer of hope has been the social media that has kept up the ante. To top it all, one of the corporate biggie, Ratan Tata, has gone to the Supreme Court stating that the revealing of the transcripts is an intrusion into individual privacy.

Wikileaks, which publishes leaked documents pointing out government and corporate misconduct has from 28 November 2010 started the Cablegate leaks. This will be done in a phased manner, but from the 251,287 documents that are likely to be put up,  130,000 are unclassifieds, 100,000 are confidential and 15,000 are secret and none are 'top secret'. Opinion about the leak is already divided. One view is that this  puts the conduct of diplomatic activity under jeopardy and that the stealing and dissemination of classified information surmounts to criminal activity. Others have hailed this activity as a freedom of speech and are aghast that a democratic government that should be open and transparent had hidden information from public scrutiny.

When it comes to have nots then information should be available for all (Aadhaar) for effective reach of public welfare schemes. When it comes to haves then information of national importance become matters of privacy (Ratan Tata's response to Radiagate). When it comes to nations then matters of global importance become matters of treason (a possible US response to Cablegate).

In reality, Aadhaar intrudes into people's privacy that is hidden under the guise of reaching out.  Radiagate exposes the nexus of money and power against people, that is hidden under the guise of public relations (nay, a private and personal chat). And, Cablegate exposes the intrusion into national sovereignty that is hidden under the guise of diplomatic exercise.

Landslide victory for Nitish Kumar in Bihar, India

Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal-United (JDU) who ruled the state of Bihar in coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contested the elections together are set for a landslide victory. The result is an outcome of some people centric measures.

 

Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar 3-10 March 2000 and 24 Nov 2005 till date.  ©  Government of Bihar

 

Elections to the 243 seats of the state assembly of Bihar, India was held in six phases that lasted for more than a month and the results have been announced today. The ruling JDU-BJP alliance with Nithish Kumar as its Chief Minister has won 206 seats, 115 for JDU and 91 for BJP.
 

The surprise part for people in other parts of the country is that the right-wing pro-Hindu BJP has been doing well despite the state having one-seventh of its population as non-Hindus (mostly Muslims). A few months ago, Nitish Kumar, had refused to share a dias with BJP's Narendra Modi, Chief Minister from Gujarat, a state that witnessed one of the worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002.

All this has been possible in Bihar because of some positive measures taken by the government. In 2005 when Nitish Kumar took over the reigns of the state, the word Bihar conjured up a negative image identified with poor law and order, poor infrastructure, high incidences of poverty that led to out migration from the state for basic livelihood and corruption. This was unfortunate because etymological roots of 'Bihar' lies with the monasteries of Gautama Buddha.

The last five years saw a change and Bihar is on its path to a new glory. In the last five years, visits to Patna the state capital and other regions throws up some positive developments. Law and order has improved tremendously. Murder, kidnapping and other crimes have reduced.
 

When it comes to infrastructure, new roads are being laid everywhere. Distances of 60 kilometers from Patna required five hours of travel, whcih could now be covered within two hours and this is the story all over the state. Number of vehicles have increased and travel time has reduced considerably.

To do away with poverty, good cases from other states were studied and JEEViKA: The Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project modeled with the Andhra Pradesh experience was taken up. This organized poorest women and vulnerable sections. One such story is among milkmen (Yadava's who belong to the same community as that of Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav), an earlier Chief Minister and leader of the opposition party). A group of 13-15 milkmen were indebted and had to sell their milk to the lender-trader at a lower price. Jeevika formed a group of these people and gave them a loan of about 75,000 rupees ($1,600) to repay the earlier loan and also helped them in establishing a marketing channel as a result of which the group was able to repay this fresh loan in three months time. There are many such success stories in building people's institutions. Of course, this is just the beginning and a lot needs to be done.

The one thing where perhaps the Nitish government failed is perhaps corruption. It is said that earlier people used to be afraid of the bullet (indicating the law and order problem) but today they are afraid of the pen (referring to the bureaucrats) who seem to be asking for a cut in all the pro-people scheme that have been initiated. The new government has to address this and also chart the new direction with people. The difficulty is that they will not have a credible opposition. One would have been happy if JDU could have formed a government on their own and BJP provided a strong opposition. But, that is not to be, as JDU falls short of a simple majority. One hopes that it is the people of Bihar who provide this critical input to check the coming of vested interests that may scuttle their surge forward. Bihar khush raho!

(This write-up was first put up in Digital Journal, 24 November 2010, http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/300626.)

Day 35 of farmers march coincides with Obama's visit to India

Farmers marching across India to save agriculture are now in Andhra Pradesh. This peoples movement of liberating agriculture and ushering in hope does not reverberate with Obama's call for liberalizing and opening up agriculture.

Logo of Kisan Swaraj Yatra. © Kisan Swarj Yatra

Kisan Swaraj Yatra (KSY) taking inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi started the freedom tour on his 141st birthday has today on its 35th day reached Andhra Pradesh, Mr Obama also started his India tour by visiting his hero Gandhiji's museum 'Mani Bhavan', Mumbai. KSY's journey is a peoples movement that calls for hope to do away with the ills plaguing Indian agriculture, Mr Obama's ascendancy to office two years ago in the United States was also reverberating with hope for people across the globe. The similarities, one hopes, should not stop there; but, unfortunately, it does.

Flag off of Kisan Swaraj Yatra from Sabarmati Gujarat 2 October 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The visit has a lot on platter for business ties. An opening up of the economy so that they buy goods and services from America so that there are more jobs back home. There are significant interests in liberalizing agriculture so that Indian farmer relies heavily on the market for inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. These benefit business interests in America and also India. These will also have adverse affect on Indian livelihoods as tidbits of news from the Yatra indicates.

In a meeting at Jangaon in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh on 3 November 2010 the slogans that rented the air are “Farmers’ welfare is nation’s welfare”, “Companies that loot farmers, gotta go; Ministers who are company agents, gotta go”, “Farmer who feeds us, don't commit suicide”. A host of groups came together and the mood may be summed up by the remark of a police official present “I have never seen all these organizations coming onto the same platform. How did you all manage this?” This was possible because of an engagement with people, what the Human Development Report has been stressing.

On 2 November 2010 in a meeting at HD Kote, Karnataka a discussion revealed that not non Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) seeds and organic seeds are not available in the market and Pandit Krishi Vivek Cariappa added that parental lines of hybrid seeds have been contaminated. Another speaker emphasized that "to save the country, we should save our villages; for saving our villages, we should save our farming; for saving farming, we should save our seed, our land and our ecological farming methods." The absence of regulation for private input providers, the yield stagnation, the increasing health risks were also discussed. The Yatris joined the paddy diversity festival at Rangayana, Mysore.

Meeting and paddy diversity festival Rangayana, Mysore, where Yatris had delicious lunch made out of many traditional rice-based recipes, 2 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

The tour had reached the state of Kerala on 30 October 2010. In a public meeting at Palakkad, Mr Mullakkara Ratnakaran, Minister for Agriculture, conveyed through phone that "all the issues being raised by the Yatra are issues of concern for the state government too." Mr Diwakaran, the local member of the legislative assembly, mentioned about "the disappearance of honeybees and the huge environmental imbalances that we are creating."

The state of Kerala, which has been in the centre of many environmental movements such as the save silent valley, has now also declared itself to be free of genetically modified crops. The state has a policy towards organic farming and plans to implement the same in a few years time said Sridhar Radhakrishnan of Thanal.

Sridhar says that KSY in Kerala is a celebration as the state has declared itself a GM-free organic state, Palakkad, Kerala, 30 October 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Kavita Kurangathi of Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) who said that the Yatra "aims to provide a message of hope to farmers in the country that there is indeed a way out of the crisis in farming today – that of adopting self-reliant, ecological farming." It comes in the backdrop of the government not addressing "the issue in fundamental ways, including assessing the role of unsustainable technologies in creating and exacerbating the crisis."

On their second day in Kerala the Yatris visited a school where the meeting was organized by the Mallapuram Organic Farmers’ Movement. Dr VS Vijayan (Former Chair, Kerala State Bio-Diversity Board) explained the local practices and gave the example of a farm family that "has been living off the organic farm by integrating innovative cattle and organic farming techniques." The historic relevance of the place Eddappal, Ponnani where there was an uprising in the struggle for independence was indicated by Dr Jacob Vadakkanchery.

Dr. Vijayan addresses the crowd at Eddappal, Mallapuram, Kerala, 31 October 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Farmers from different parts of the country shared their story of the over-hyped green revolution in Punjab, the yield of nine tonnes of paddy per hectare during pre-independence days at Chengalpat, Tamil Nadu or how farmers in Budelkhand kept their seed stock for the next generation even during extended period of drought. A second meeting was organized at Nilambur by Haritha Senam, a farmers collective which has been working on the issue of debt and farmers suicides.

The third day in Kerala began at the memorial for Pazhassi Raja, the Adivasi King who fought the British for independence. The town reverberated with slogans in Hindi and Malyalam. The Yatris visited the farm of Mr Raman who has been growing 23 different traditional varieties of paddy. Mr Kalpetta Narayanan, a writer and poet, questioned the industrialization of agriculture. He gave examples from Gandhiji to explain the real meaning of 'swaraj' (freedom).

Yatris pay homage to Pazhassi Raja, the king who fought the British for Adivasi rights, Wayanad, 1 November 2010. © Kisan Swaraj Yatra

Mr Obama are you listening. Farmers' across the country do not agree that opening of agriculture will not affect their livelihoods.

(This write-up was first put up in Digital Journal, 6 November 2010, http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/299596.)

Other articles in this series are day 28 of the Yatra and their travels in eastern regions and northern regions of India.