Genesis of Chatti Mahatma Gandhi Aashramam- A launching for Voluntary Action in Dandakaranya.

1. CHATTI
MAHATMA GANDHI
AASHRAMAM
A story and Bio-data
Salient features
Growth of A Posi t ive Voice of Dissent in Voluntary Sector
Chat t i Post , Chinthur Mandalam, East Godavar i Dist r ict
Andhra Pradesh- 507 129

2. A Positive Voice

3. A Voice of Dissent

4. Grand Father
in the Aashramam

5. The Chief Cook in the Aashramam

6. A Volunteer who
mobilizes in the Aashramam

7. Birth and Educational hops in Life
• Born on 7th July 1949 in Pudukkotai Tamil Nadu.
• Entered 1st Class in Pudukkotai.
• Studied 2nd and 3rd Classes in Kutralam, Tamil Nadu.
• 4th Class in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
• 5th to 8th classes at Bengaluru in Karnataka.
• 9th Class onwards and completed B.Sc Degree with Botany,
Zoology and Chemistry at Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh.
• Wanted to become Doctor and do Social Work but missed the bus
by 0.25 marks. There was no EMCET in those years.

8. Tryst with Volunteerism- 1
• 1964. Formed “Cha Cha Nehru Open Scout Troop” at 61, Doveton
Road, Bolarum, Secunderabad.
• Great fiasco inviting President of India Dr.S.Radhakrishnan to
inaugurate by just writing a post card.
• Police coming to house and parents get panicky.
• President did not come but felt proud for getting a letter from His
Office.

9. Tryst with Volunteerism- 2
• 1968-69. “Friends of Humanity- International”- Bertrand Russel
inspired to start one at Hyderabad.
• Gave press release and called for a meet.
• Finally, ended up initiating “P and P Club”.
• Peace and Prosperity Club- Moral, Social, Cultural, Economic and
Political Prosperity is the basis for Peace.

10. Activities of P and P Club
• Inter Collegiate students and Youth conferences, debates and similar
activities.
• S-Circle to promote scientific thinking.
• K-Circle to promote quest for knowledge among student youth.
• Week end and holidays Shram Dan work camps in slums.
• Visit to Prisons on Raksha Bhandan festival and celebrate the event
with the prisoners.
• Build network with other Youth and Student Organisations like
NIYAH- Nehru Institute of Youth Affairs-Hyderabad.

11. Resource Mobilisation- P and P Club
61, Doveron Road, Bolarum, Secunderabad was the capital of P and
P Club.
• Contributions from members.
• Repayable, not necessarily repayable and repay as you
please Loans from Friends.
•Worked as News paper boy for 3 years.
• Sold Modern Bread produced by “Modern Bakeries”- a new
initiative of Government in those years.
• Sold milk that came first time in bottles in 1966.
• I take pride today that Dr.Abdul Kalam and Warren Buffet
were also Newspaper boys.
• Even today I feel love with paper boys that recalls my
younger days.
• I had a short tinge of working as a school teacher for less
than three years before I left Hyderabad in 1973.

12. P and P Club Executive Committee

13. A Turning Point in life
• Attending the 2nd and 3rd “Antar Bharti Shram Sanskar Chaoni” at
Somnath, Chanda, Maharashtra.
• Baba Amte, Yudunath Thatte and Chandrakanth Shah inspired me.
• Decided to become Free and Independent, without a Boss above me or
Servants below.
• Influenced by Kumar Shiralkar of Shramik Sanghatana in Sahada,
Dulia- his letters, I decided to live with Tribal Communities.
• P and P Club started “Antar Bharati Inter-State Youth Exchange
Programmes”.

14. Antar Bharati Sneh Milan
Interstate Youth Exchange

15. Developing the Concept
Fear to come out of the cocoon of comfort
zone
• Somnath and Anand Van of Baba Amte inspired in Commune Life.
• I read lot about Kibbutz of Israel- Village Communes.
• An Article in “The Hindu” newspaper on ‘ Take the Town to the
Villages’ gave a framework.
• Conceptualized “An Agricultural Tribal Township”.
• Where urban and Adivasi youth will live as a Commune, live on
agriculture and develop villages around.
• Shram Dan Camps were foreseen as means to involve the urban,
rural and tribal youth.
• But, this remained on table for over two years and it was a starting
problem.

16. Got Freedom and Independence
Swamy Ramand Tirth Momorial Committee was our humble strategic support
• I am proud that we got our first contribution of Rs.500.00 from Late Sri.
P.V.Narasimha Rao around 15th August 1973. Even today, I remember with
nostalgia his gentle pat on my back.
• Late Sri. Damohar Pangrekar always supported me on distress call for
resources.
• They were President and Secretary of Swamy Ramand Tirth Memorial
Committee.
• “You can Break my Back but I shall not bend” inspired me from Ramanand
Tirtha.
• Organised a Farewell meeting at Osmania University campus with all my P
and P and other friends.
• I Left Hyderabad in wilderness on the 15th August 1973.
• Landed at Bhadrachalam via Khammam. Hoping pad it was for me.

17. Shram Dan Camp- P and P Club

18. My First Villages- A Joker I was
• First day in Bhadrachalam I was housed at AC Parnasala Guest House
by the Sub Collector.
• It was too much for me and also cost wise. From the Second day, I
chose APSRTC bus shelter, I stayed.
• I was introduced to Pichikalapadu and Tunikicheruvu villages by
Revenue Inspector, Bhadrachalam.
• Not knowing Telugu and Koya Dialect, I was seen as joker by the
villagers and others in Bhadrachalam town.
• It was difficult to stay in these villages in those early days except
symbolic stay for couple of days, now and then.

19. Historic First Youth camp at Pichikalapadu Village
• Zero budget camp.
• Citizens and community gave resources in kind- rather we begged
and stole (?!) from them.
• 5th to 15th December 1973 with over 75 Girl and Boy students and
youth from Hyderabad.
• We wanted to dig a drinking water well. We could make a big deep
pit, instead.
• A Report on the camp is attached, just in case you are interested ask
for a copy or read.

20. A Memory of the Camp- the Certificate

21. P and P Club at Bhadrachalam
• I started learning Telugu by going voraciously to Telugu movies.
• After Pichikalapadu camp, I could get Government Hospital Guest
house as my home in January 1974 thanks to Dr.A.P. Ranga Rao, who
was impressed by my idiosyncrasy of organising the camp.
• Informally established P and P Club at Bhadrachalam.
• Besides occasional visit to Pichikalapadu and Tunikicheruvu, I started
working with students in the Government Junior College and
Government Hospital.
• Of course, periodic jaunts to Hyderabad to meet friends and share the
experiences, thoughts, ideas and dreams. `

22. Activities based at Bhadrachalam
• Rejuvenating Library and Reading Room in the Junior College.
• Once Organised a canteen during Mukkoti Festival to raise funds for
Ladies Toilet in the college.
• ‘Youth Against Dirt and Diseases Campaign’ at the Government
Hospital.
• Built Patients’ attender’s shed, vegetable garden in Hospital Campus
and planting trees. The grown trees stand today as sweet memories.

23. GIRIJANA SEEMA LABOUR CONTRACT
CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY
• In 1975, Government of Andhra Pradesh nationalised Timber
Extraction operations- started Department of Extraction of Timber-
DET.
• This was an interesting idea and we started a Co-operative Society. A
First opportunity to really go to the villages and forests.
• Integrated Tribal Development Agency- ITDA gladly gave us a grant
of Rs.10,000 and a loan of Rs.10,000.
• But, poor manager I was.
• To the member labourers, I was benevolent Labour contractor.
• To DET, I was a foolish youth without knowledge of Timber
Extraction.
• In three months, all the funds got drained in running the community
mess for the labourers and in advances.
• ITDA started fiercely taunting at the loss.

24. Undeterred I was…
• I got contact with innovative Banking cell of State Bank of Hyderabad.
• They were too glad to give me loan without any guarantee and bail-out
our society.
• Two of us went to Dehra Doon Forest College. We got trained in
using Power Chain saw and exposed to timber dragging by tractor.
• Bankers were knocking our doors to give us loan that included
refund to ITDA - both their grant and loan.

25. I surrendered…
• I met the District Collector with all documents that included our own
conditions to Forest Department to get the contract for the Society..
• He took me personally and explained that ‘I am not Wise for this kind
of JOB’. Advised me to quit, go home and join parents.
• I surrendered and returned to Hyderabad. The bankers were
disappointed but appreciated.
• Unwilling to accept defeat and go home, joined as a Volunteer at
Oasis Residential School at Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad for couple of
months.

26. I Was critical of Oasis School
…said good bye
• Right from Day one, I was critical that the school is serving the
Children of the rich.
• After a month, I went to raise donations for the school from the rich
parents of the children.
• I got a pittance as donation.
• Said Good Bye to Oasis school.

27. Tryst with my village of Destiny- Chatti.
• Unwilling to accept defeat, I returned from Hyderabad without
agenda but to start a tea shop that will bring Revolution.
• Without stopping at Bhadrachalam or meeting officers, I went to
Chatti Village around which we did Timber Extraction earlier.
• Chatti is located on the Banks of River Sabari, a tributary of Godavari.
• I made the newly made bridge across the river my HOME.
• My Teachers from whom I started new learning- The Tribal
labourers working on the road and in the forest
• We also met at the only generator run Cinema hall at Chinthur.
• In any case, I feared to go into Chatti Village. The fear was
compounded since there was no electricity in the area.
• Original Tea shop idea took back seat. I will now start one at our
Aashramam.
• Meeting people, the youth in their work, learning and making
friendship became the agenda.

28. FundRaisig was by FriendsRaising
And vice versa
• I got free VISA- Access to village from the Village Head- Podian Dora.
• We arranged a Youth exchange programme of the Chatti Youth-spending
their time with Hyderabad Youth for one week.
• In six months, the youth mobilised to build my hut on the land gifted
by a community member.
• The Long Run in life started at brisk pace from now on.
• We started our first Non Formal Education centre at Chatti in my big
hut.
• Without calling, youth and children thronged and came from
evening 4.00 and left around 10. But, always few would fall asleep,
spend the night and run home for their work, the next morning.
• I was hosted by different community members by turns for lunch and
dinner.
• They were kind to raise money for my occasional travel to
Hyderabad.

29. ITDA again stepped in…our activities
ITDA was impressed by our Non Formal Education centre and started
again supporting us.
• Community Dairy, Community Cultivation, Community Land
Development, Sewing Training and all.
• Chatti became ‘Mecca’ of all Government Officials to visit.
• But, funding Honey Moon was short lived. Because, we did not
bribe the new Project Officer of ITDA.

30. The First Funding…Foreign Funds
• It was at a providential meeting of new friends like Sri. G.B.Thomas of
Rural Development Advisory Service- RDAS at Hyderabad. We got to
learn of Foreign Funding possibilities for the first time in 1977.
• We got first fellowship of Rs.500 from CROSS, Hyderabad.
• Subsequently, Bread For the World offered to fund and we established
‘Girijana Seema Welfare Association’ as a legal entity.
• We experienced slow and sporadically fast drift away from
volunteerism with funds coming in.
• Glad that we did not loose our foot on the ground of Volunteerism
and Community initiatives, over the years.

31. Voluntary Organisation initiated.
Over the years, we were instrumental in initiating
directly three organisations.
1. Girijana SeemaWelfare Association- 1977
2. Chaitanya Shravanthi- 1983
3. Girijana Prajala Sangam- 1984

32. We supported our Colleagues to form Voluntary
initiatives
• We were the first pilots and pioneers of Voluntary Action in the area.
• We believed in “Small is Beautiful’ and Democratic.
• Encouraged our colleagues who wanted to start their own initiatives
and spread.
• Notable among them are ASHA- Subhani, SAKTHI- Siva, ASDS-Gandhi
Babu.
• We supported dozens of others n the Eastern Ghats.
• We also believed that unity- networking gives us strength. This was
successful in the initial years. But, evading since 2008!!!???

33. Our Major Activities in these years…
• Non Formal Education and pre-schools.
• Check Dams and Lift Irrigation- New and rejuvenating the old.
• Self Help Groups.
• Emergency Health support and supporting communities at times of
floods.
• Organising Communities.
• Educating and skill training.

34. Our Networking…major events
• We were active part of many networking initiatives since the start.
Solidarity, Collective, Aranyika, Samatha Swaraj Mitra Mandal-
SSMM are notable among them
• Manya Prantha Chaitanya Yatra- Long March was organised in 1992
from Pathapatnam- Srikakulam and Polavaram.
• Manya Prantha Chaitanya Cycle Yatra on the same route that
concluded with mamoth Jatara- Folk Festival at Chatti- 1993.
• All the above networks for different reasons went into untold
slumber.
• Aranyika now remains as a Voluntary Organisation.

35. Leadership in our initiatives…
• We are proud team of Second Line Native Leaders and I working as a
transparent team.
• Natural but premature death took away Mani, B.Bhadraiah and
M.Venkanna from our team.
• Today, Chaitanya Shravanthi is Independently led by Malini.M and
shifted to work in Paderu and Araku areas in Vizag District.
• Girijana Seema Welfare Association has withdrawn from Khammam
and shifted to Visakha District, led by Aliveni based at Gudem remote
village.
• Girijana Prajala Sangam is led by Ashok and shifted the office from
Chatti to Chinthur.
• Among the first timers, many have left. I, Korasa Bhadraiah and
Karaka Ramulamma remain as enduring Volunteers (?!).
• They do not get any Salary support from any of these or other
organisations.

36. Three Musketeers

37. Disturbing trends in the scenario…
• In 70s and 80s funds brought initiatives together. But, we also came
together beyond funding factor.
• In the new millennium “only” funds are bringing initiatives together.
• Ironically, funds are also not allowing ‘ALL’ organisations to come together.
• We are deeply anguished that even those who emerged from our initiatives
are cool and less willing, if not unwilling to come together in our
Dandakaranya initiatives.
• We set the agenda as Project Holders in 70s. Now, gradually (subtly) the
agenda is being set by funding agencies and government. They talk of their
priorities without thinking of our priorities and future sustenance.
• Misplaced professionalism is displacing Volunteerism in the sector.
• Irresponsible Big funds are destroying good work.
• Sub altern Natives are further marginalized and subtly kept out of
Leadership in the sector by English and misinterpreted Professionalism. No
doubt caste is also playing a role.
• Corruption is fast seeping and eclipsing the good works done by many good
workers.

38. Emergence of Chatti Mahatma Gandhi
Aashramam
• Over the years, the concept of Commune life got eroded along with
Volunteerism in our team.
• All colleagues started to have subtle feeling that they are staff of the
organisations and will remain only till funds flow in.
• Our itch of Volunteerism has started again since 2008 and
culminated as Aashramam at Chatti.
• SSMM and Sarva Seva Sangh gave us orientation and we named it as
“Chatti Mahatma Gandhi Aashramam”.
• I live here with Mangamma along with Gangan my informally
adopted Grand Daughter.
• Mangamma and I have four sons and one daughter who occasionally
visit us.

39. Objectives of the Aashramam
• We are strategically located bordering Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Ours is
relatively a Peace Zone.
• By our strategic location, we provide launching pad for all kinds of activities
to everyone in Dandakaranya, at NO COST. Our gut instinct to find
resources.
• Enrolling and nurture Volunteers. They may choose to go out by getting a
job either in an organisation or outside.
• Practice SARVODAYA values. No Boss or Servant in our Aashramam. Least
division of labour.
• Re-invent P and P Club activities in the area.
• We believe in Participatory Democracy at all level. We practice Democratic
Culture and life style- Once, our Great Friend Sri. M.V.Sastry described this
practice as Over-Democracy during one of our first evaluations.
• Promote community initiatives and they become Independent from the
Government.
• Avoid debate, promote dialogue with focus upon empathy to each other and
their needs/values- to resolve issues.
• Organise periodic activities to practice the above objectives.

40. …S
• Rejuvenating Volunteerism at different levels without prejudice to
Social Subcontracts. Promote SARVODAYA both in Voluntary Sector
and the Society.
• Immediate Goal: Avoid submergence of Adivasi communities and
construct Polavaram dam through Empathetic dialogue process
among the affected communities.
• Long Term Goal: Peace In Dandakaranya- focus is violence between
the Maoists and the Government without compromise on Justice.

41. Our immediate Major activities.
• AHIMSA DIVAS- from 1st October to 3rd October at Chatti followed
by visit to the communities that could be submerged by the
construction of Polavaram and conclude at our Polavaram
Aashramam on the 10th October 2014.
• Celebrate Elders day along with Elders on the 1st, Gandhi Jayanthi on
the 2nd and JP Jayanthi on the 10th.
• Ankur- Seedling of Participatory Decision making by empathy
dialogue between the Koyathor who could be submerged and the
beneficiary communities without prejudice to involve beneficiary
corporate.
• Hope the seedling will further sprout and grow in the coming months
as a major dialogue that will influence the Government to recourse to
alternate designs.

42. Our dilemmas in the field…
• We in the Voluntary Sector and the Government by default have made the
communities divided as individuals. They have become weak and dependent.
• Corporate and present material development model have succeeded in
converting the communities to their fold. It is painful to note that they have
become vulgar consumers.
• We are far lagging behind. Sadly, heavily funded NGOs are also polluting
the scene.
• We are finding it difficult to attract youth and people on enduring basis.
• In General the communities, especially the Youth are in search of jobs and
do not desire doing agriculture.
• In general, the Communities and popular development model has lost foot
on the ground of Humanism.
• At the outset we feel that growth and changes are inevitable. But, inner
feeling we get is that the present growth is cancerous and development
route is self destructive.

43. Aashramam’s Legal Dilemmas…
• Ideally, we must produce and live with least need for money. This is not
easy, looks less practical immediately.
• This must be supplemented by contribution in kind by the communities
around. Little difficult!!!??? Given our past funded Organisation status!
• We do not want to have a Legal entity binding us, Executive Committees and
office bearers. We want to live like a family.
• How do we get resources in little larger sums? As a compromise, back up
and standby, Hopefully, Girijana Prajala Sangam- GPS will provide us legal
umbrella, when needed.
• All said and done, eventually, we desire contributions to our individual
members that we will pool as family and spend.
• Our lands- around 30 acres are ‘legally’ but with question marks owned by
GPS. How do we ensure to ensure eternal continuity of our possession
without legal rights on these lands.
• The Tragic Polavaram Dam(n) if at all constructed could be the greater
tragedy for us.

44. Social Dilemmas….
• As ideal Volunteers I and we have kept nothing for our tomorrow.
How do we keep the flock together though some will be always
coming in and some will be going out.
• Friends and close relatives are willing to give to gods, spend for lavish
ceremonies and parties. But, they are less willing to contribute to us.
Often, It becomes mutually nagging.
• Voluntary Organisation- NGOs shout to the top and claim Corporate
to be responsible. Today, we have CSR as Law.
• Charity begins at home! But, VOs do not seem to be responsive to our
contribution requests.
• Tail Piece: GPS is not getting any funds that they can share something
with us. Further, present professional funding/accounting
mechanisms and professionalism approach forbid if not encourage
such sharing.

45. Our resources…
• We have made a temporary compromise till we pick up. We have no
objection if GPS or any other organisation raises project funds and
share with us giving us mutually reasonable freedom to spend.
• Otherwise, we need small resources from as many people around
India and World.
• We expect sensitivity from NGO- VO fraternity to come forward
more individually and also as organisations.
• Our Agriculture and SARVODAYA Social enterprises have little long
way to go and gain. As on today, our agricultural competency is
questionable!

46. Our Strategy and Appeal
• We have impossible goals. Take first possible steps without loosing
sight of the goal.
• Ekla Chalo. Go it alone, others will join.
• Enroll panel of extended members of our Aashramam who will
contribute to us as Individuals or to GPS. We will focus upon friends
and relatives and their friends and relatives.
• Aashramam will maintain self audited accounts of funds received by
our members. This will be sent to our contributors. GPS will send
audited Statements to all contributors.
• We would welcome VOs and NGOs to be our partners and raise
funds for us.
• We need regular resources periodically contributed by you all -
depending upon your convenience..
• We may need larger contributions when events are organised.

47. We Welcome-
• We need as many of you, encourage your friends and unemployed to get
enrolled and live with us by turns.
• “Dirty Dozen” is also fine. We have guts and commitment to handle them
• Welcome to elderly, sick and challenged.
• So called orphans, direct or advice them to live with us. Please arrange
their coming to us at your expense, first.

48. Our Bank Accounts…
Umbrella Organisation
Name of Account: GIRIJANA PRAJALA SANGAM
Account Number:52193211617
Bank Name: State Bank of Hyderabad.
Branch: Yerrampet
Address:
Chinthur Post, Chinthur Mandalam,
Andhra Pradesh,Pin Code: 507 126
IFSC: SBHY0020693
Tail Piece: On request, we shall furnish names of our Aashramam members
with their Designated Bank account details.
Jai Insaan! Jai Gram Swaraj!! Jai Ahimsa!!!