INDIA: Campaign to free the River Narmada from notorious Sardar dam Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source - cjepsa@aol.com (CJEPsa) June 17, 1999 As some of you are aware the 'Campaign to free the Narmada' [from the notorious Sardar sarovar Dam project, in India] is planning a series of actions to protest & resist the imminent submersion of the medieval town of Maheshwar by the waters released from the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Posted below is an invitation from the Campaign activists to join them. Please spread the word. Harsh Kapoor (South Asia Citizens Web) June 17 Dear Friends, Thank you for responding to the Campaign to Free the Narmada. We would love you to come with us on the journey to the valley. At the risk of frightening you away, we must clarify that the journey will not be an easy one. We will be travelling to remote tribal villages at a difficult (though beautiful) time of the year i.e.: The monsoon. Most of our time will be spent outdoors. Shelter will be very basic. There will be no electricity or running water. We will do our best to carry adequate supplies of drinking water, but it would be good if you carried some of your own when we leave the last town and begin to head out into the countryside. The same is true of medicines and insect repellents (if insects bother you). You must bring your rainwear, sleeping bag, torches? and anything else you think you may need. Bring a flag or a banner that you've designed yourself ? (not a national flag, a personal flag, a RALLY FOR THE VALLEY flag) .If the waters start rising suddenly, be prepared for a fair amount of chaos, including police action. The plan is as follows: The Delhi contingent will leave by train from Nizammuddin railway station at 10 p.m on the 29th of July on the Inter-city Express to INDORE in the State of Madhya Pradesh. We will arrive in INDORE at noon on the 30th of July. That evening there will be a Narmada film and music festival and a meeting with local people. On the morning of the 31st JULY we will leave in a convoy of buses for the town of Maheshwar. The convoy will be joined by local people in tractors, bullock-carts and trucks. 31st night in MAHESHWAR, a medieval town, (where there is a beautiful old fort on the riverbank). Maheshwar will be submerged by the waters of the Sardar Sarovar, but only if we lose our fight against the dam. On the morning of the 1st of August, we leave for village Bhavaria the first step into the tribal area and spend the night with the local people and exchange notes. Next morning on 2nd August the buses will go upto a place called Kakrana, from there we take boats to (about three hours) Jalsindhi is a tribal hamlet, which has become a nerve -centre of the resistance movement. It is here that the 'Satyagrahis' - the people who have sworn that they will drown rather than move from their homes, have set up their base. We will spend the night of the 2nd and 3rd August at Jalsindhi with the Satyagrahis. On the 4th morning we will set out for BHOPAL by bus, to catch the train to Delhi. (or disperse and go wherever else anyone might want to go.) 5th morning back to Delhi. The individual cost for the travel arrangements, food etc. is Rs 2500/- for the seven days. (about $ 60). See you soon. Jharana Do circulate this to all you think may be interested. CONTACT ADRESSES & PHONES DELHI: Campaign to Free The Narmada, Ms. Jharana Jhaveri, Mr. Archis Mohan, MD-4 Sah Vikas Society, 68 I.P. Extension, Delhi 110 092 INDIA Tel/Fax: 91-11-221-7084 e-mail: janmadhyam@vsnl.com; jharana@del2.vsnl.net.in BOMBAY: Parveen Jehangir, 261, Jupiter Apts., 41, New Cuffee Parade, Mumbai. Phone: 022-218 4779 218 5832 Email: jehangir@giasbmc.vsnl.net.in BARODA: NBA Sripad Dharmadhikari, Nandini Oza, B 13 Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Vadodara 390 007 Gujarat Ph & Fax : 0265-382232 Email : nba@lwbdq.lwbbs.net BHOPAL Rajesh Khindri/Tultul Eklavya, E-1/25, Arera Colony, Bhopal-16. Ph./Fax: 0755 - 563380 Email: eklavyamp@vsnl.com INDORE Mahendrabhai, Sarvodaya Press Service, 29, Samvad Nagar, Navlakha, Indore. Ph./Fax: 0731 - 401083 BADWANI: Narmada Bachao Andolan, Medha Patkar, Alok Agarwal, 62 M.G. Road, Badwani, M.P. Tel: 07290-22464 e-mail: Medha Patkar [medhap@bom5.vsnl.net.in] Center for Justice, Equality and Peace in South Asia - An advocacy group for Indigenous and Minority Rights. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytas-06.19.99-18:22:41-1197