5) Description of initiative: Kerala is one of the most beautiful states in India. It is known as ‘Gods own country’. It is full of trees, hills, valleys, wild animals, miles of seashores etc. Even though political parties were present in this state from 1990 onwards, people are crazy about politics. Murders for political reasons became very common from this period, especially in the Northern part of Kerala.

The people and the political parties are trying to divide the villages into political villages. The common people don’t have any chance to oppose it. Common people are so much exploited that even for them to buy or sell their own land, the owners have to get the permission from these political parties. If the parties don’t like the deal, they won’t allow selling the land. The political parties capture the co-operative banks, financial institutions, and hospitals etc. when they are in power.

The no. of people being manhandled, politically murdered, injured etc are increasing day after day. The political bandhs, hartals are in common. The common man is in trouble because of this. The Political leaders are not thinking of this problem. The District Authorities and the police are with the ruling party.

The communal harmony is also in danger. Politicians are linking their relationship with religious leaders for getting votes. Even when neighbours or relatives are killed for political gain and envy, no person is willing to question them. Parents, brothers, children are all in rival political groups – the value of family ties is nowhere before political prejudice. NOCER is involved with the social and economic problems of these people. We conduct awareness programs on the various schemes of the government and other public sector institutions. However increased political interference hampers our work at times. We have selected and taken up 14 Grama panchayats (bodies of village governance) of Kasargod Distict, Kerala.

6) Description of innovation: We have spread awareness in Human Rights, Fundamental Rights, Local Governance, Communal harmony, Right to Information, Government schemes etc, to people through a system of cottage meetings. At first, people were hesitant to come forward. Later on, we also incorporated the strategy of conducting these programs through Clubs, Kudumbasree (association of local people), schools etc. This strategy brought positive results.NOCER figured that the prime problem of the people in these villages was that they did not know the language, Malayalam (Malayalam is the language of the State of Kerala). Even though these people lived in Kerala, they only knew other South-Indian languages such as Tulu, Konkini, and Kannada. So when things were being explained in Malayalam, they simply heard what was being said, since they could not understand the language. To overcome this situation we have selected people from these communities, to express and explain to the others in their own vernacular language. In addition, we have also published leaflets as part of our awareness campaign. Since Tulu and konkini have no alphabets of their own, Kannada alphabets are used in the leaflets. Also we have put in extra effort to get to these people.We have conducted numerous cultural programs in order to create unity and fellowship.

7) Delivery model: We have been working with these 14 grama panchayaths from the year 2004. Earlier, the people were divided into strict political and communal groups. We have and are still organizing small group units with people around irrespective of caste, creed, political party etc. We have also organized students, youth, women, men & women groups in order to promote awareness on communal harmony.Now the situation is changing slowly. We have arranged meetings every week. The people sit together; they discuss issues on organic farming, economic development and social issues.

8) Key operational partnerships: In addition, we have formed 14 groups with the State Bank of India, 7 groups with Vijaya bank. These banks are owned by the government of India. We have selected these banks because of the political and religious influence that exists in private banks.We are now getting support from the Central government for training in handloom weaving to 100 women within the age group 18-45 years. The Coir Board is also interested in training the group members. The Parassinikadavu Ayurvedic Medical College in interested in buying the Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants which are cultivated in the land of the group members. The other activities are manufacturing “areca nut pala” plates; food processing programs especially cashew, apple, banana, and coconut. Some members are also involved in handicrafts with coconut shells and leather. The Honey-Bee keeping and jasmine cultivations are also being developed as income generating programs.

9) Financial model: e have been working with these 14 grama panchayaths from the year 2004. Earlier, the people were divided into strict political and communal groups. We have and are still organizing small group units with people around irrespective of caste, creed, political party etc. We have also organized students, youth, women, men & women groups in order to promote awareness on communal harmony.

In addition, we have formed 14 groups with the State Bank of India, 7 groups with Vijaya bank. These banks are owned by the government of India. We have selected these banks because of the political and religious influence that exists in private banks.

          • Costs as percentage of income: 60

          • Financing: We are now getting support from the Central government for training in handloom weaving to 100 women within the age group 18-45 years. The Coir Board is also interested in training the group members. The Parassinikadavu Ayurvedic Medical College in interested in buying the Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants which are cultivated in the land of the group members. The other activities are manufacturing “areca nut pala” plates; food processing programs especially cashew, apple, banana, and coconut. Some members are also involved in handicrafts with coconut shells and leather. The Honey-Bee keeping and jasmine cultivations are also being developed as income generating programs.

10) Effectiveness

          • Project outcomes: We have been able to assist people in rising above the barriers of gender, politics and religion. Muslims, Hindus and Christians, men, women, and youngsters, rich and poor are all alike and together they make decisions and discuss solutions for their problems. Even political differences are forgotten. This is an innovative experience. We have also been a reason to bring about communal harmony in these villages which have been devastated by violence. People from these 14 villages have benefited through the initiatives of NOCER. There is no discrimination in religion, caste, creed, language, or class. NOCER feels proud to have brought about peace, even if it is in a small geographical area of the world.

          • Number of clients in past year: appx. 3000 persons have benefited out of it.

11) Scaling up strategy

          • Stage of the initiative: Scaling Up stage.

          • Expansion plan: We would like to spread this to the surrounding districts and all through the states. Our efforts in the future will be more towards making social harmony wide spread. We also want to reduce the bad influence of politics and political parties on the common people.

12) Origin of the initiative: Kerala is one of the most beautiful states in India. It is known as ‘Gods own country’. It is full of trees, hills, valleys, wild animals, miles of seashores etc. Even though political parties were present in this state from 1990 onwards, people are crazy about politics. Murders for political reasons became very common from this period, especially in the Northern part of Kerala. The people and the political parties are trying to divide the villages into political villages. The common people don’t have any chance to oppose it. Common people are so much exploited that even for them to buy or sell their own land, the owners have to get the permission from these political parties. If the parties don’t like the deal, they won’t allow selling the land. The political parties capture the co-operative banks, financial institutions, and hospitals etc. when they are in power.

Contact Information:
M.V.  MATHEW
Ashoka Fellow
PRESIDENT
NOCER-INDIA
(NGO)
India