Can we join hands to sustain the generated momentum?
The news of Sarita and Mahesh Kant comes as a shock to the development practitioners’ fraternity. In spite of committed and good work, destiny was against them. The two young social activists were members of the Institute for Research and Action (IRA) and they were doing development work in 40 villages of Fatehpur block for the last four years. It is of particular interest to all of us working in the water sector to know that Sarita and Mahesh Kant were working towards restoration of the ahirpynes, traditional water harvesting systems of Bihar. It is this work that seemed to threaten the local water lords who then took their revenge in such a gruesome manner. Ms. Saritha and Mr. Mahesh Kant who did untiring work in one of the remote villages in Gaya district of Bihar, namely, Shabdo, were brutally murdered on 24th of January 2004, for fighting for the causes of ordinary people’s right on Jal, Jangal, Jamin by thugs who opposed their humanitarian work with the undisclosed silent support from people in power. The violent attempt to throttle the truth continues in the district of Gaya. Those who have done this crime have not understood the real spirit for which the workers were fighting. 

As people from the same fraternity it becomes our responsibility to rise up and support the struggle kindled by our dear friends. So we put forth the following idea to continue the momentum initiated by the departed souls. We feel that it would be appropriate to express our solidarity and build confidence among the team working at grassroots through humble support we would be able to provide to take further the fight against the odds. 

The proposal is to support one or two development workers from the organisation promoted by Ms. Saritha & Mr. Mahesh Kant to take forward the activities initiated by them. As a network, which stands for various pro-poor causes with gender sensitive approaches, we thought it would be an appropriate step to begin a fundraising campaign that would add and sustain the momentum created at the grassroots by the deceased.

It is proposed to mobilize an amount of Rs.3 lakhs, which would be deposited in a profitable and secure way such as in the Post office wherein it is expected to yield an interest of Rs.2000 per month, which could support one or two animators’ salary of IRA for which Saritha & Mahesh Kant were working. The amount would be released as per the recommendation of the concerned authorities of the organisation, namely, IRA. WWN would operate the account and all the details related to this would be made available on this website for ensuring transparency. 

Any ideas or suggestions in taking forward this initiative on a sustainable and productive manner are welcome.

CapNet Regional Secretariat
On behalf of WWN-India