Setting lofty goals

Nirmala Deshpande was in Chennai recently for the South Asia Peace conference. The veteran Gandhian spoke about the initiatives being taken by Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj and the Association of Peoples of Asia to establish an Asian identity.

I WALKED into the austere room in the Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya in T.Nagar, to find a woman with a slight frame, draped in a white khadi saree and her hennaed hair neatly tied in a bun.

Recently, I got an opportunity to speak to veteran Gandhian, Nirmala Deshpande and to know the secret of her spiritual and moral strength. Earlier, I had the opportunity of participating in the peace march organised by her during the height of the Kargil battle.

She was in Chennai for the annual conference of Gandhian Constructive Workers and South Asia Peace Conference organised by the Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj and the Association of People of Asia.

Excerpts from an interview:

How did you manage to get disparate people like the Dalai Lama, Hurriyat representatives, Admiral Ramadass and General Brar, as also a former general of the Pakistani army on a common platform?

When your intentions are genuine and you are seeking to establish what everyone wants, then there are no ego hassles. Who does not yearn for peace? Our mission is universal. So, there were people from all walks of life.

What is the goal of Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj?

Rachanatmak means 'constructive'. Established in 1982, the Samaj is a federation of institutions and activists who are involved in bringing about social change, equality and justice. For the purpose, we focus on the grass-root level development in the economic sphere. Our objectives also include gram swaraj, gramdaan, stree shakti, sarva dharma samabhav, shanthi sena (army of peace activists), a nuclear-free and non-violent world, promoting Khadi and village industries, propogating organic agricultural practices, cow and environment protection. ABRS is a holistic movement, striving to protect human rights and democracy.

Why was the Association of Peoples of Asia(APA) started?

In 1947, Gandhiji while addressing the Asian Relations Conference, spoke about the Asian identity. Asia is not only the most populous, but has also contributed immensely to the civilisational development. It was, therefore, necessary to create social and cultural bonds. Accordingly, in 1994, the APA was formed along with friends from the Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj.

What are APA's activities?

It organises meetings, seminars and peace rallies in India and other Asian countries, which are attended by eminent people. The first 'Indo-Pak amity meet' was held in New Delhi in 1996, followed by a similar one in Karachi. Using sport as a vehicle to build bridges, a team of students from Karachi were invited to play friendly hockey matches in India.

In 1999, a 'Indo-Pak mushaira' was also held. During the Kargil battle, peace marches were organised both in India and Pakistan. The most significant being the one held simultaneously in Chennai and Quetta(Pakistan). The newly formed 'India Pakistan Soldiers' Initiatives for Peace' has held seminars in Delhi, Lahore and Islamabad. APA members visit various Asian countries to nurture people-to-people contact and organise students' exchange programmes.

What was the agenda for the Chennai meet?

It mainly focussed on human rights, curbing violence, struggle against oppression and establishing democratic political order. An Inter-Faith meet was addressed by the Dalai Lama, where people from all religions expressed their views. Besides a host of eminent personalities, about 15,000 people from various parts of the country attended the three-day conference. Ours is a mass movement, which aims not only to build a new India, but a new world order.

How did you get involved in this?

As a young girl, I used to attend Gandhiji's meetings and was greatly influenced by his philosphy.

After completing M.A(political science), I got involved in Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan Movement and participated in the countrywide padayatra in 1952.

What is your message to the youth?

They must strive to build a non-violent society. Universal education is the watershed of economic development. The youth should build bridges between nations.

How do you finance such a large organisation?

Well, find the cause and the means will follow. People donate generously for our activities because they are aware of our genuineness.

PERVIZ BHOTE

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