Thousands converge in Delhi to oppose globalization, lend voice to oppressed

Catholic priests and nuns were among an estimated 50,000 social workers and activists who converged in New Delhi recently to oppose globalization and assert that a better world is possible.

Sari–clad nuns and several priests sang, shouted slogans and joined in some of the 500 workshops, seminars and discussions conducted in makeshift tents, November 9–13, as part of the India Social Forum gathering in New Delhi, UCANews has reported.

The groups discussed the rights of tribal people, young people, women and Dalit, the former "untouchables" at the bottom of the traditional Indian caste hierarchy. Colorful dances, songs, marches and skits also asserted people's rights to shelter, food, and freedom of religion and expression.

Likewise, the various activities also strove to explain how capitalist market policies, the media and governments continue to deny people such rights, especially in developing nations influenced by globalization.

The India Social Forum describes itself as an "open meeting place" for groups and movements "that are opposed to neo–liberalism and to domination of the world by capital and any form of imperialism, and are committed to building a society centered on the human person." It is seen as a country unit of the World Social Forum, which uses the slogan “Another world is possible.”

"We were able to get new insights on quite a few issues, concerning dalit, women's development and the need for primary and higher education among others," Fr. Ranjan Lazarus of Jesuits in Social Action, who came from Bihar, said. An estimated 1,000 people associated with his organization across India attended the programmes, he said.

Jesuits in Social Action organized a seminar on human trafficking that highlighted how village girls and women are lured to Indian towns and cities with promises of jobs, only to be forced into the flesh trade.
"The forum gave us a stage to express our opinions, dreams and hopes for the future," the Jesuit priest said.

Transsexuals, tribal people, nuns, priests and overseas delegates mixed easily with each other in a kaleidoscope of activity. "Our people from the grassroots were able to interact with eminent people and learn from them," Fr. Lazarus said.

Speakers at main gatherings included well–known personalities such as anti–dam activist Medha Patkar, Dalit advocate Ruth Manorama and overseas guests, including Eileen Kuttub, director of the Institute of Women Studies at Birzeit University in the West Bank, and activist Waha Kara from Kenya.

Sebastian Kunnath of Catholic Health Association of India told UCA News the event was a "meaningful and helpful" platform to interact and spread awareness about various issues. "We selected abortion, health and nutrition, and communicable diseases to focus on at the forum," he said, sitting near a stall his organization had set up.

"The emphasis here is on the use of herbal medicines for prevention and cure. Such medicines can be made at home," Kunnath told UCA News as he adjusted posters at the stall.

Mary Immaculate Sister Chhaya Chaple, who came from Gorakhpur Diocese as part of the health association team, said the program was "good exposure" for field workers like her. She said she and other Catholic volunteers work in villages helping people with education, health and overall development.

More than 100 people involved in social–service activities of the church of North India also attended the event.

One of them, Shailendra Awale, who came from the central Indian town of Nagpur, recalled that they were "mere spectators" at the World Social Forum meeting held in Mumbai in 2004. "But this year we brought in more people and actively participated in the event, holding workshops, processions and demonstrations," he said.

Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), a social–service initiative of the Protestant and Orthodox Churches in India, organized a November 12 seminar titled "Natural Disaster: Vulnerability, Governance and Role of Community."

"We were able to assert our position and our involvement," Awale reported, adding that they also were able to "build bridges to larger political change" by networking with other agencies.

"Our people from the local congregations and organizations from other parts of the country are taking the message back to their people, and that will help sustain the movement," he said.

(Courtesy: UCANews)