PANCHAYATI SWARAJ
Second Freedom; when my village becomes self-responsible
PANCHAYATI SWARAJ
It is the power of my village community unleshed
"Government the doer and village the receiver": this is how it is in the present and it is slavery. Rather, "Village the doer and government the auditor", was traditional freedom.
That was the condition in the best of empires in India. These empires were built on empowering people and governing their free action. That is the story of Uttaramerur, the Gupta empire, Cholas, Akbar, Chandra Gupta maurya and others.
For the village to experience this freedom it must build its community power and take charge.
The Gandhian vision aids this. There are great village stories in modern India too which are working on such ideals. We can learn from them...
Inspired by the
GANDHIAN VISION
Supported by Gandhian mass action
for rebuilding villages: SWAGRAMI
for rebuilding villages: SWAGRAMI
Sharing the VISION STORY and
other real-life stories to inspire my village Fellow citizens
And working on the
SIX FREEDOMS
my Village can be pushed towards second freedom
THE MILESTONES TO PANCHAYAI SWARAJ FOR MY VILLAGE
Step 1: Swaraj Seedling(s)
This is the stage in which awareness of the idea comes to the village. A small group of about five people pour upon the idea of village freedom and study different village revolutions from all over the country and abroad.
Step 2: Freedom Nursery
In this stage, the seedling expands and joins with all the other seedlings in the village. Together, they split themselves up into small groups, each focused on one or the other of the six freedoms. Each freedom team looks into its area of specialization. They look outward for solutions available from across the world. They look inside their villages and see where their strengths and weaknesses are and how these solutions are relevant to themselves. They start making a list of projects that need to be taken up in the village. They all come together, discuss the six freedoms and try to create a harmonious vision for the village.
Step 2a: Freedom Nursery Presentation
The Freedom Nursery presents its findings and understanding to the village executive first and then to the Gram Sabha.
Step 3: Village Freedom Council
The Gram Sabha listens to the presentation, understands it and sanctions the creation of a Village Freedom Council which is a formalized structure of the Freedom Nursery. It consists of the core members of the Freedom Nursery including other members as the Gram Sabha deems fit. The Gram Sabha grants permission to the Village Freedom Council to invite help from NRVs (Non-Resident Villagers), NGOs and government agencies.
Step 4: The NRV (Non Resident Villagers') Meet
The Village Freedom Council, with the blessings and support of the Gram Sabha, invites all NRVs, NGO representatives and local government officials and has a two-day discussion/seminar on the pursuit of freedom of the village.
Step 5: The Village Swaraj Master Plan
Based on the proceedings of the NRV Meet, the studies and analyses that have happened before that and due consultation with all stakeholders from within and outside the village, the Village Freedom Council comes out with a Village Swaraj Master Plan. This master plan sets clear priority on what projects must be taken up 1. immediately, 2. in the near future and 3. in the long run. It also has a list of projects ready on paper so that when the opportunity comes, in terms of resources, it can be implemented quickly.