Jharkhand Alternative Development – Prospects and Practices

Jharkhand Alternative Forum organized a two-day Seminar on April 12th to 13th at YMCA Hall, Ranchi to discuss and evaluate various alternative development models being practiced in the country so that their adaptability could be considered for application in Jharkhand.

In the sessions, noted alternate development thinkers from across the country had been invited to share their experiences and expertise with the people of Jharkhand. Well-known activist of Narmada Bachao Andolan, Ms Medha Patkar, spoke and emphasized on the importance of development model being evolved from the grass-roots level like the gram sabhas, panchayats and municipal wards rather than being formulated in Delhi and being pushed down. People’s role and participation is the foundation of any proper developmental planning and issues like displacement, large scale industrialization, elimination of traditional methods of work, etc. without the consultation and participation of the people involved is the greatest threat to the fabric of our democratic system.

Noted economists Dr. Aseem Shrivastava and Dr. Arun Kumar from Delhi emphasized the investment in agriculture and rural economy as the overriding requirement of the correct form of development. Employment of people and not mere growth per say must be the basis of development if the masses are to find any answer to the years of poverty and neglect that has been their share since independence.

Alternate development practitioners from various parts of the country – namely, Dr. Rahul Verman from I.I.T. Kanpur and Yogeshwar Kumar from Uttrakhand – then presented models of cooperatives and micro hydro-electric power generation for adaptation by Jharkhand keeping in mind the rural development with least or no displacement.

The second and final phase of the seminar on ‘Alternative development Jharkhand – Prospects and practices conducted by ‘Jharkhand alternative development forum (JADFO), Ranchi was a remarkable success.

Presenting the opening statement Chairperson for the second day ‘Vasavi, a Prominent Journalist and tribal development social activist presented her thoughts on the development of the villages for sustainable development. Quoting the example of Ghandhian model of development she said that the India lives in villages has changed to Indian lives into shopping malls and multiplexes, they are mushrooming, while the poor are getting more & poorer.

Arvind Anjum ( renowned activist) addressing the audience assembled spoke on the commercialization of natural resources and said “ Development policies should be focused on preservation of environment and natural resources, so that the future generations can also enjoy them”. Quoting the example of Chandil Dam he said that the Government took over 10 years to increase the height of the dam by 4’ feet, development cannot go at this rate. The water collected in casement area of the dam, should be canalized for irrigation… the Romans has aqua ducts in pre historic times and in our so called modern times we let go of all the water as waste.

Mr. Banwari Lal Sharma (Independent writer and social activist) emphasized the need for awareness to discriminate between development and destruction to bring about real development. He said we need to focus on alternative development because of the consolidation of natural resources and biological resources. If the use of natural produce is done with the common consent of the society and the community only then we can think of sustainable development.

Dr. Aseem Shrivastava (Prominent economist) said that “India seems to be run by people sitting in Washington. We have been fed the erroneous concept that there is no alternative to development other than commercialization” he quoted example of the ‘1969 – Priority sector lending act’ which was later discarded by recommendations of the World Bank. Further speaking he added “western approach believes in having social sectors and not society”. Concluding his discussion he expressed concern on the need for a revolutionary change in all the so called sectors Finance, retail, insurance, banking, industrial and agricultural else these sectors as this sectionalisation has lead to a complete destruction of rural and natural resources.

Dr Ramesh Sharan (Eminent Economist) said development is cancerous in nature today and the need is for a non cancerous – non destructive development. Paying less to the producers or charging more from the consumers is profit… we must think of a equity based development. “Unless and until every individual is liberated from malnutrition, unemployment, discrimination and exploitation the development will never be completed”. He concluded his discussion with “Development must be human development indices based and not only human – if it has to qualify as sustainable and complete development.

Sanjay Bosu Mullick ( ) spoke of the community controlled; need based use of natural recourses. He said “Current development policy is not only anti social it is anti nature too. Asking for right on the land, water, and the forests is termed anti–development.” Praising socialistic ideologies he said “capitalism is far behind socialism because socialism has very high principles and ideologies. It emphasizes on listening to the voice of your heart not your mind”. Concluding his speech and expressing concern on the senseless exploitation of natural resources, especially the forests of Jharkhand he said that sadly the government is against the community forest management and hence against socialism.

Mr. Balram (State Advisor to Supreme Court Commissioner) said “development today is a myth and it is absolute slavery of different brands owned by capitalists. Discrimination based reservation cannot ever qualify as development it’s a myth that has been forced fed into our minds by a handful capitalists.

Dr. B.P Keshari (Jharkhand movement activist and anthropologist) chairpersoned the final round of the seminar and presented the vote of thanks, especially to the print and electronic media for giving space to a seminar of such an important magnitude.