International Nonviolence Summer Institute

University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA organized 12 th International Nonviolence Summer Institute 3-14 June 2013.  Sri Prasad addressed the participants on 6th June.  He also met Dr. Bernard LaFayette and Rev. C.T. Vivien who were associates of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  About 40 participants from 15 countries took part in this Program.  It is a well structures, well organized orientation on Nonviolent techniques.

Book on Gandhi Released

A book on Gandhi written by Sri C. Janardhan IPS (Retd.) was released on 6 May 2013 at Mahaboob College, Secunderabad.  Sri Prasad was one of the speakers on this occasion.  Gyanpith Award Winner, Ravoori Bharadwaja was the Chief Guest.

Sarvodaya Karyakartha's Meeting Gujarat

A meeting of Sarvodaya Karyakarthas was organized by Smt. Usha Behn Pandit, a Sarvodaya Leader in Gujarat on 1 May, 2013.  Sri Prasad was invited to speak to the 300-group on Gram Swaraj.  Sri Prasad explained how Indian villages are subjected to subtle exploitation through a market mechanism.  Giving an example of what is coming into the villages and what is going out of the villages and the valuation mechanism associated, he said that Liquor, Tobacco, Soft-Drinks, Cosmetics, Confectionery etc. are invading the villages and he made an estimated Rs. 5 Crore is the drain from each village per year.

Talk on Nonviolent Agriculture in AP Agricultural University

Sri Prasad gave a talk on 'Nonviolent Agriculture' to the students of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar Hyderabad on 4 May 2013.  This talk was arranged by Dr. Sailaja, Faculty member of ANGRAU.  Sri Prasad outlined the shift of Indian agriculture :

From Nonviolent Agriculture to Violent Agriculture
From Independent Agriculture to Dependent Agriculture
From Non-monetary Agriculture to Monetized Agriculture

Agriculture was a way of Life and a Philosophy of life.  It had the foundation in a value system which is reflected in 'Bhoomatha' - Mother Earth, 'Gow Matha' - Mother Cow.  Farmer said, O Mother Earth, I will serve you and whatever you give me I am contended with.  There was humility, understanding, wisdom.  Farmers happiness, festivities, functions were all associated with agriculture.

Sri Prasad said, we should respect mother earth and Cow should be at the centre of village economy and of Agriculture particularly.  Cow dung provides for best manure, Cow Urine is pest repellent, and cow's progeny provides energy for tilling the soil, irrigation, transport etc.

Integration of the elements of nature, water management and life based development are essential for sustaining agriculture, Sri Prasad Said.

 

Rural Youth and Women meeting Health Camp

A Health Camp was organized in Tekulapalli village, Kondurg Mandal, Mahaboobnagar district on 14 April 2013.  A team of Medical Doctors led by Dr. Chakrapani conducted the Camp.  Patients were examined for their eye problems, women problems, Dental and general diseases and medicines were distributed.  Health Education programme was organized to enlighten the people on health habits and hygiene.  A Youth Meeting was organized in which about 30 Youth of the village participated.  Jyothi, leader of Vasavya Mahila Mandali, Ramulu Ex-surpanch and Anantaiah organized local facilities.

Rural Youth Meet - Self-Reliance Model

Dr. Kamal Taori IAS (Retd.) visited Burujugadda, a village in Rangareddy District where Gandhian model of Gram Swaraj is taken up during the past 25 years.  Some of the youth have taken to agriculture, animal husbandry in preference to urban jobs though they have requisite qualifications and experience.  These Youth work as Self-Employed Change Agents.