Anna Suraksha Adhikar Jumbhesh - JESA, Gujarat
RTF Regional Convention
VENUE: NAVSARJAN, SURAT
DATE: 9th FEB 2012
TIME: 12PM TO 4.30PM
Ignited and inspired by the success and awakening experience of the RTF's State level convention held at B.S.C. Ahemdabad on November 2011 by JESA,
Gujarat. RTF volunteers, the Pressure group members (Daban Juth) belonging to different slums of Surat, along with entire Navsarjan Staff organized a regional level convention at Navsarjan, Surat on 9th of February 2012.
The main objectives of this Convention were:
- To spread awareness on RTF work amongst the larger slum people.
- To share RTF program related success stories with larger audience and create positive vibrations amongst the people.
- To create a platform where RTF Schemes related government officials and the beneficiaries could easily interact with each other.
- To let government officials know the growing awareness, strength, unity and solidarity amongst the beneficiaries about asserting their rights.
- To bridge the gap between the government officials and the beneficiaries – that government officials are public servants and not lords…
- To instill confidence and hope amongst the Pressure group (Daban Juth) members.
- To deepen Unity and Solidarity amongst the slum people.
- To enhance the positive attitude – "together we can…"
It was quite surprising to see the overwhelming participation of Slum people in the RTF Convention held today at Navsarjan!!! Initially, during the planning meeting of RTF core committee we had decided to limit the participation to 350 people only... as the word went round to the slums the Pressure group leaders started demanding that more people should be allowed to take part... Considering the various impacts it would create on the psyche and attitude of the larger crowd we decided to give in to their demands....
Apart from the officials and other special invitees over 800 people from different slums of Surat and four other centers i.e. Paraspada (27), Shakti (10), Rajpipla SSS (7) & BSC (1) took part in the Convention...
Indeed it was heartening to see most of the RTF Staff members and other beneficiaries sharing their experiences with such gusto and confidence!!! Although, many of them as novices stood before such a large gathering for the first time in their life to share their experience, they looked as if they were veterans!!! They articulated so very eloquently and with clarity & precision!!!! .... Their sharing was enthralling… people were spellbound… It was very enriching and empowering experience for one and all… It made me feel very proud of JESA training team and the training imparted to volunteers and pressure groups by the TOT's so far... This ensures the readiness, preparedness and willingness of the people (beneficiaries / target group) to take this RTF Movement forward....
All the invited government officials - such as Public Distribution System (PDS) officer, Integrated Child Dev. Scheme - Anganwadis (ICDS) program officer, Probation Officer of Samaj Suraksha Department dealing with schemes for intellectually & physically challenged people, Deputy Mamlatdars handling Old age and Widow pension & Mid day meal schemes made themselves present at the venue and had very interesting tête-à-tête with the participants. Each one of them was allotted half and hour to share information & take questions from the people. Their presence was very much appreciated by the people.
It was indeed a very successful event... a very good work, hard work done by the RTF staff... The participants and their participation was quite amazing… they not only remained seated silently from 12pm to 4.00pm but took very very active part during the question hour session allotted for each official!!!
It was quite interesting to see few fair price shop owners, Primary school principals, Anganwadi teachers come for the program but seeing the large crowd moved away quietly.
Enthused with this positive vibes & experience the group dispersed vowing to take forward this movement of theirs in their respective areas…
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