The mood is electric as I enter the Jawahar Lal Stadium grounds.
Some people from Tibet are starting their protests, in another corner a dalit group from Jharkand is discussing its issues, further ahead a women’s group from Karnataka is selling its wares, a traditional craft, slowly losing out to globalization, further ahead Agsar Ali passionately tells Muslim women to change the shariat.
I listen to issues related to NREGA and then I see a poster screaming out “World’s Number One Terrorist”. Someone is blocking my way and I cant see the picture, I assume its Osama Bin Laden. Well I am wrong. A leftist heaven, the picture is of George W Bush.
And I realize that Indian Social Forum is the biggest mela for all kinds of social activism. I am amazed that there are so many people who care about such a vast array of issues.
Thousands of people from all walks of life, all across the world are here to talk about things which affect them directly or indirectly.
The venue is next to a slum and I see people’s reaction as they pass by it. They squirm, some putting a cloth over their faces, some ignore it and then I wonder if there are double standards too.
What uplifts my spirit is the involvement of young people in the event. Atleast some people don’t have a chalta hai attitude.
All in all – I have a mixed day. I am happy to see that the voiceless are give a voice, a platform but on the other hand one understands that globalization is the way forward. A closed society and economy can never grow.
Do check out their website here.
Any one in Delhi concerned about any social issue ranging from farmers plight to nuclear proliferation, don’t give this event a miss. It will go on till November 13!
Originally posted on Saturday, November 11, 2006 1:20 PM
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