Abstract
This chapter is on Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS), a grassroots organisation inspired by the Gandhian notion of ‘village republic’ (village self-rule and self-reliance). The organisation has worked in Alwar district of northern Rajasthan for close to 25 years and has received fame at the international level for its work on rainwater harvesting. TBS claims to have revived the traditional practice of rainwater harvesting through building large number of johads (small concave-shaped earthen dams constructed at the foothills to check soil and water run-off). To what extent do TBS’s claims of being ‘alternative’ hold true? The chapter addresses this question by analysing TBS’s ideology and examining how it uses the discourse of ‘traditional knowledge’ and ‘community participation’ to maintain exteriority vis-à-vis the development regime. It discusses its main agenda and activities and its operation in its ‘field of action’ (Alwar villages). It explores TBS’s relationships with rural social groups and the other elements of the watershed development in rural Rajasthan. The chapter presents the organisational structure, ideology and agenda of TBS and describes what is unique about TBS in terms of water conservation activities. It highlights TBS’s Gandhian lineages and use of religion and folk knowledge in achieving high moral ground and distinct identity as an agent of development. Furthermore, it provides some examples to explain the problems of conflict and cooperation in management and development of natural resources under TBS’s direction and critically analyses TBS’s claims of ‘drought proofing’ and ‘community self-reliance’.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
An anicut is a small dam (with straight embankment) made of concrete and stone, which is constructed on a rivulet or streambed for plugging a drain. A johad is a concave-shaped earthen dam, which is built to store rainwater run-off. Johads are usually built on common lands at the foothills, and unlike anicuts, they collect water from much smaller catchments and are very cheap to construct.
- 2.
In the year 1975, a devastating fire amidst the cluster of hutments within the campus of Rajasthan University (Jaipur) brought to the forefront a handful of voluntary workers who helped with the rehabilitation of fire-affected families. A group of teachers and students of the University and other volunteers decided to organise themselves as a response group in the event of natural calamities, thereby giving birth to TBS. It was formed on 25 March 1975 and got registered as an NGO under the Societies Act on 30 May 1975.
- 3.
The formation of the TBS is co-terminus with the socialist movement aspiring for ‘total revolution’ in the country under the stewardship of Jay Prakash Narayan. JP was an ardent follower of Gandhi and a renowned leader of the sarvodaya movement and its Bhoodan campaign, which promoted voluntary distribution of land by big landowners to landless workers and tillers. He actively participated in the Civil Disobedience (1933) and Quit India (1942) movements under the leadership of Gandhi and was one of the founding members of the Congress Socialist Party, a left-wing group within the Congress. After independence, he got disillusioned with the practical experience of Nehruvian socialism and decided to abandon active politics and dedicate his life to the sarvodaya movement led by Vinoba Bhave. He set up his ashram in Hazaribagh district of Bihar (now in Jharkhand) and engaged in village reconstruction. He was bestowed with the Magsaysay award in 1965 for public service. He returned to active politics again in the late 1960s to agitate against the corrupt and dictatorial rule of Indira Gandhi and led a nationwide movement (also known as JP movement) against the Congress rule, which led to the imposition of emergency in India during 1975–1977. JP’s health deteriorated during his prison detention in 1975, and he died in 1979. The first non-Congress government came to power at the centre after the general elections in 1977 under the leadership of Morarji Desai and guidance of JP. For details on ‘total revolution’, and JP’s views on sarvodaya and socialism, see his writings Towards Total Revolution (1978, in four volumes) and Socialism, Sarvodaya and Democracy (1964).
- 4.
Rajendra Singh originally hails from Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. In his college days, he was associated with ‘Sangharsh Vahini (the student wing of JP movement), before coming to Jaipur for his job with the Government.
- 5.
Another example that one can cite is of Aruna Roy, a former bureaucrat, who has dedicated her life for the cause of the ‘right to information’ movement in rural Rajasthan. This movement is spearheaded by an organisation called the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), which is trying to bring transparency and accountability in the work of rural local bodies like the panchayats, and government offices dealing with development-related tasks.
- 6.
http://www.indiatogether.org/manushi/issue123/rajendra.htm. Accessed (15/05/2014).
- 7.
Ashram is a special institution in Gandhian philosophy. The concept of ashram as public sphere (open to all) as opposed to the western concepts of ‘civil society’ or coffee houses (open to literary classes) was popularised by Gandhi during the struggle for freedom. Many social activists and followers of Gandhi run their activities through ashrams along the lines of Sabarmati or Wardha ashrams established by Gandhi in India or Tolstoy Farm in South Africa.
- 8.
As revealed in informal conversations with key TBS functionaries.
- 9.
The annual turnover of the organisation in 1986 was merely Rupees 15,658, and it increased to Rupees 2,57,63,274 by 2000–2001 (TBS Annual Report 2001).
- 10.
Khadi is hand-spun cotton, and Charkha is a spinning wheel. Gandhi promoted the use of khadi to inculcate the feeling of self-reliance under the colonial regime.
- 11.
Informal conversation with Rajendra Singh at TBS ashram on 04/12/ 2003.
- 12.
Term first used by Gandhi in his pamphlet entitled The Constructive Programme: its meaning and place. Gandhi described this important programme in the following manner: ‘Thirty-four years of continuous experience and experimenting in truth and non-violence have convinced me that non-violence cannot be sustained unless it is linked to conscious body-labour and finds expression in our daily contact with our neighbours. This is the constructive programme. It is not an end. It is an indispensable means and therefore is almost convertible with the end’ (cited in Pinto 1998: 131).
- 13.
As informed by Kanhaiya Lal Gujar, a senior TBS functionary, on 05/01/ 2004.
- 14.
Informal conversation at Tarun Ashram (04/12/2003).
- 15.
Informal conversation with Rajendra Singh at Tarun Ashram (12/12/03).
- 16.
TBS issued a series of pamphlets to create awareness about water conservation works in different parts of the country and also established a network of people and organisations in the name of ‘Jal Biradari’ (Water Community).
- 17.
Interestingly, the governing body of this Jal Vidyapeeth, which is based at Tarun Ashram, Bhikampura, includes retired and serving members of premier management and technology institutes, like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
- 18.
Excerpts from the speech given at Tarun Ashram on 07/12/2003.
- 19.
A traditional practice of offering prayers to ‘Mother Earth’ before starting up new construction activity. This practice is very common throughout the country in both villages and urban areas.
- 20.
Hindu festival (but also celebrated by Muslims in some parts of India) in the monsoon season on which women tie a band (called ‘rakhi’) on the wrist of their brothers and ask for their support and protection.
- 21.
A booklet entitled Dharadi: Naye Sandharbhon Mein (Dharadi: In the new context), published by TBS (1997).
- 22.
There is no unanimity within the scientific community over the argument that recurrent droughts are directly linked to the depletion of forest cover and cutting of trees. There could be several reasons for the occurrence of droughts, including climate change and decrease in average annual rainfall in the region.
- 23.
Interestingly, a fine was slapped by the district administration for planting trees on revenue wasteland Gopalpura village in 1989, which was later revoked by the intervention of higher authorities.
- 24.
My interviews with several TBS karyakartas and villagers confirm this.
- 25.
Excerpts from interview on 23/11/2003.
- 26.
All information is based on my conversations with villagers at Kraska village on 10/01/2004 and also confirmed by TBS worker Nanagram and Jagdish Gujar.
- 27.
http://www.cseindia.org/html/extra/dam/index_news.htm (Accessed 05/07/ 2007). Notably, the CSE has been working closely with the TBS since the 1990s on the issues of traditional rainwater harvesting and grassroots environmental action.
- 28.
Interview at Jogion ki dhaani village on 18/11/2003. While an unskilled labourer in governmental projects was getting approximately Rupees 70 per day around that time, it was Rupees 45–50 in TBS-sponsored projects.
- 29.
During the drought in Rajasthan (1999–2002) the government initiated several construction activities to generate seasonal employment. Ironically, more than 4 million Rupees were spent on constructing an airstrip near Kishori village, where there was not even a primary health centre. A small anicut built by TBS on government land was also destroyed during the construction of this airstrip. A local newspaper spread the rumour that this airstrip has been built for VIPs that very often visit the TBS ashram. TBS finally released a statement denouncing any role in the construction of this airstrip.
- 30.
TBS believes that soapstone and marble mines have created environmental hazards. Irresponsible dumping of waste from quarries has turned huge proportions of land unfit for cultivation. Further, mining activities consume large amounts of underground water leaving fields in the vicinity dry. For further information on TBS’s protest against mining activities along the Aravalli hill ranges, see the booklet titled Aravalli Ke Aansoo published by TBS (1998).
- 31.
Informal conversation at Tarun Ashram on 02/12/2003.
- 32.
Telephone conversation on 25/07/2005.
- 33.
In 2004, Rajendra Singh was included as a member of a high-powered committee to ensure integrated development of water resources of the state by the Department of Irrigation, Government of Rajasthan.
References
Agarwal, A. (2000). Drought? Try capturing the rain. The Asian Journal, 7(3), 22–29.
Gupta, S. (2011). Demystifying ‘tradition’: The politics of rainwater harvesting in rural Rajasthan, India. Water Alternatives, 4(3), 347–364.
Imperial Gazetteer of India (Rajputana). (1908). Calcutta: Superintendent of Government Printing.
Kashwan, P. (2006, February 18). Traditional water harvesting structure: Community behind ‘community’. Economic and Political Weekly, 41, 596–598.
Kumar, P., & Kandpal, B. M. (2003). Project on reviving and constructing small water harvesting systems in Rajasthan. Evaluation report prepared for SIDA. Stockholm: The Swedish International Development Agency.
Pangare, G. (2003). Tarun Bharat Sangh: Evaluation report. Prepared for the ICCO, the Netherlands (unpublished).
Pinto, V. (1998). Gandhi’s vision and values. New Delhi: Sage.
Ray, S., & Bijarnia, M. (2006, June 19). Upstream versus downstream. Economic and Political Weekly of India, 41, 2375–2383.
Rudolph, S., & Rudolph, L. (2003). The Coffee House and the Ashram: Gandhi, civil society and public spheres. In C. Elliott (Ed.), Civil society and democracy. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Shaha, S. (2003). Johad: jal nayak Rajendra Singh ki charit kahani. Dombiwali: Sumeroo Prakashan (in Hindi).
Sharma, A. (2002). Does water harvesting helps in water scarce regions? A case study of two villages in Alwar Rajasthan. Unpublished paper, International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka.
Shiva, V. (1992). Resources. In W. Sachs (Ed.), The development dictionary: A guide to knowledge as power (pp. 206–218). London: Zed Books.
Sinha, S. (2008). Lineages of the developmentalist state: The transnationality and village India 1900–1965. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 50(1), 57–90.
Thomson, M. (1993). Gandhi and his ashrams. Noida: Sangam Books.
UN-IAWG-WES. (1998). Putting tradition back into practice: Johad- watershed in Alwar district Rajasthan. Report prepared by Ranjan Samantaray, New Delhi.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gupta, S. (2016). ‘Village Republics’ and People’s Movement. In: Politics of Water Conservation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21392-7_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21392-7_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-21391-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-21392-7
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)