Maharashtra should rise above the politics of regionalism: Medha Patkar

1. Maharashtra should rise above the politics of
regionalism: Medha Patkar
A daughter of politically and socially active parents, social activist Medha Patkar has
emerged over the past three decades as the intrepid champion of the collective rights of
people over the natural resources, such as forest, land and water, on which they depend
for their livelihood.
Starting from the Narmada Bachao Andolan to oppose the construction of the Sardar
Sarovar and other dams over the Narmada, she has led non violent agitations all over
the country to demand alternative, sustainable models of development. Jacques Leslie
devoted a third of his book, Deep Water: The Epic Struggle Over Dams, Displaced
People, and the Environment (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2005), to Medha. The right of
people to participate in making political decisions that affect their lives has been a
consistent theme in her work.
Medha is a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award for the year 1991 and several others,
such as the Green Ribbon Award for Best International Political Campaigner by BBC, and
the Human Rights Defender's Award from Amnesty International. She is very articulate
and proposes creative ways of resolving the local/global, state/federal, micro/macro,
contradictions. Her perspective and approach attempts to redefine democracy and
development at the grassroots level.
Being a distinguished member of the jury that will select winners of the Maharashtrian of
the Year 2011 awards instituted by Lokmat Media, she shared with us her thoughts on
the awards and the state of affairs in Maharashtra.
What motivated you to give your valuable time and support to the Lokmat
Maharashtrian of the Year 2011 Awards?
Lokmat is a reputed paper which reaches the rural areas, goes into the villages and
hamlets and it also takes up vital social issues. Their choice reflects the views and vision
of the larger society and not just of the politicians. It is the exercise behind the awards
that I liked very much, so I thought I could contribute to this effort. It does not follow a
hierarchy but instead looks at the noteworthy contributions. It is not an award for a
celebrity but for those who are serving and building the society, and that’s what has
drawn me to it. I also liked the vast range of subjects and areas identified.

2. What is your view on the fact that Her Excellency Shrimati Pratibha Patil, the
President of India, is flying to Mumbai to give away the awards?
It’s a welcome step since as per our Constitution the President represents the highest
echelon of power. Her presence recognises the contribution of individuals who show a
way forward through their work and their indomitable spirit, whether in art or literature
or sports or any other field of activity. Her coming indicates her appreciation and a great
tribute to the awardees as well as to the awarding entity, that is Lokmat Media.
What according to you is the significance of the Maharashtrian of the Year 2011
awards and the eight areas covered by them?
I am happy that this is being done although these are not the people who work for any
kind of award or appreciation. And yet this gesture supports their cause and that is the
greatest honour to the cause they represent. Such appreciation also gives a boost to the
awarding agency, that is, to Lokmat Media. On such occasions people listen to such
eminent persons.
It is not just the awards and the function but what is expressed during the function
that’s important. I would therefore suggest that maximum no of awardees should be
allowed to speak their mind. They should be given the space to share their thoughts and
give new creative ideas to readers and audience and the media who can disseminate
them far and wide. This is important as in most functions it is the chief guests and the
award giving agency who put forward their view points in long speeches.
As a jury member, which of the nominees impressed you most?
Well, all of them have done outstanding work and it was a difficult choice. The
categorisation has been thoughtful. For instance, the nomination of Devaji Tofa from a
remote village under the Politics category to my mind is very significant as he represents
the politics of the people, the politics of Gram Sabha, not Lok Sabha. What this man has
done at the micro level is not just for establishing or asserting the tribal people’s right to
forests but also preserving the forests, which are now the sources of livelihood to
farmers, fishermen, adivasis and dalits.
He has shown a path to the village and the community and the rest of the country as to
how they can assert their right to natural resources.
The number of contributors could be endless but Lokmat has made these choices with
caution and care and with all the possible information about the person in hand.
What specific changes would you like to see in tomorrow’s Maharashtra?

3. (Laughs) Change in Maharashtra from their point of view would be quite different from
mine . . . I would like to see a total change . . .
To be a mahan rashtra it needs to plan its resources very carefully. Today the corrupt
practices in the name of misusing or misappropriating resources and the policies in
favour of corporates and builders must be replaced by policies in favour of real
contributors, whether to the GDP or to Navanirman, the building of the nation.
Old activism from whichever sector has been aiming at empowering of the society
because people’s empowerment alone would change the economy and polity and social
relationship matrix towards certain values and goals of equity and justice.
Follow the Constitution and you will find that the basic rights and privileges of the people
are being violated and being taken over by the so called leaders in the name of
representing the people.
People should see what their duties and their role and their responsibility is and that can
include people’s initiatives to change the policies and laws but also in contributing in
reconstructing and regenerating resources and changing the social and political
environment around us.
What is your special message to the people of Maharashtra?
It is ok to give awards but rather than competing with each other, people should focus
on contributing their best as a collective effort to the growth of Maharashtra, beyond
caste and regionalism which plagues Maharashtra to an extent today.
What is your special inspirational message to all the nominees?
All the nominees were equally competent and it was a difficult choice. But it was a
pleasure and privilege for all of us in nominating and beyond that, awarding some of
them.
If these awards can contribute even a bit to the cause which they are pursuing selflessly
and with great perseverance, we would be very happy.
Ends