Dear Animators & Leaders of the AMS,
What I want to say today is addressed to you, rather than to
Accord.
I was introduced to Accord and this wonderful community of
yours through a series of coincidences. I had a fantasy that I should be able
to set up and run a bank, which is set up and run the way it should. Let me
explain what I mean by ‘the way it should’. The banks that I have worked in and
all other banks I know of work in favour of one or two stake-holders more than
others – often at the cost of the others. In fact, all businesses work in this
fashion. I don’t wish to elaborate on this subject because for a tribal
community, it is not relevant. What is relevant for me is that I found a place,
which lives by the set of values, which I can relate to and I find tremendous
excitement and energy to work with. So, I have come here to get myself and my
children trained under the Adivasi value system.
During my brief of about 15 days or so, I noticed some
facts. I see that some of the younger Adivasis, like most non-tribals seem to
find the life outside more attractive. Moreover, parents, who wish to ensure a
‘bright future’ for their children, seem to be guiding their children to the
outside world. I’m not too concerned about whether this is right or wrong. The
question that I have for you, the leaders of the community is ‘Do you notice
the difference in the value system of the outside world vis-à-vis your own
value systems? If yes, Do you feel the need to preserve your value systems?’
The answer seems to be ‘yes’, going by the economic survey conducted by the
Justchange trust and through some interactions with Stan. But before we take
any action, the answer has to come from the community leaders rather than
people like Stan or me.
For you, the leaders of the community, it is very important
to understand the difference in the value system. It is therefore important to
understand their value system and its strength to attract young minds. From my
understanding, I can tell you that if you decide to preserve your value system,
the fight to do it is nothing short of a war. But, this is very different from
a typical war. In case of people like me, our own people, siblings, children,
friends have accepted a value system, which we’re fighting against. In case of
tribals, the other value system or culture is already inside the house and is
slowly gaining influence over your own children.
As I said before, it is important for you to understand this
other culture in detail. This may take some time, but this preparation is a
must before we commence the war.
The question is, “Do we want to fight?”
You have identified 7 years back or probably even earlier
that there is a battle the community is engaged in and that the battlefield is
the economy. Justchange was an effort to fight the economic battle by becoming
self-reliant. The answer, in my view, is still the same. Self-Reliance.
A bank or a financial system is said to be the backbone of
every economy. Therefore your assessment that we need our own bank is perfect.
At the same time, only a bank, without reorientation of the economic activity
will not serve much purpose. If we create a bank only to transact money and
continue earning from outside and spending outside, we will continue to be
‘postmen of the money’, as K C Krishnan pointed out a few years back.
It’ll be a slow process, but an enjoyable one.
I’d like to elaborate the role I can play and what I propose
to be the beginning of this journey of self-reliance.
I think the drivers of the community are you, the animators
in all areas and the leaders of AMS.
You have to decide, first whether we need
to take this journey and if yes, what is required. My role will be to propose
options and help you take a decision. The decision will always be yours.
Below
is what can be a starting point of discussion.
AMS is a federation of persons living in a finite / defined
geographical area, largely by the same value systems. AMS shall work towards
reaching a situation, where all the economic activity happens within the
community. Reduced dependence on the outside world will ensure that community
members are not exploited, the community values are not diluted and the
strength and bonding in the community continues to strengthen it.
The members of AMS will also work to ensure that they
continue to live by a collective or community orientation as against individual
orientation. Essentials like healthcare, primary education, relevant higher
education may cost much lower if provided for by the community. Also, housing,
marketing of produce to the outside world, communication infrastructure and
other commonly used facilities are better provided for or hired by AMS.
In order to make this possible, members of AMS shall pool
their surpluses towards a community fund, which is used for the following
(descending order of priority)
1.
Contingency medical expenses
2.
Primary Education
3.
Higher or professional education required by the
community
4.
Capital for community enterprises formed to
ensure self sufficiency
5.
Capital for business enterprises formed to build
‘Rupee reserves’
Where is the Bank?
The bank is the vehicle, which will enable AMS to mobilise
the required savings. It is also an enterprise, which is formed to ensure self
sufficiency. It will serve the need of the community members to safeguard their
excess liquidity and withdraw it whenever required. The bank will also enable
creating, accounting for and managing funds for contingency medical expenses
and education. It will also execute the capital creation, as decided by AMS.
There are many details, which require to be answered with
regard to the bank, which we will do in due course. There are many answers some
final, some, where we will discuss and arrive at the final answer. At this
stage, what we need to do is to understand whatever I’ve proposed in depth and
reach a consensus.
The more time one spends in thinking about it, the more it
seems like a tall order. It is a tall order. But as I see it, we should see a
day, sooner than later, when the AMS leaders write a thank you note to all
those who’ve supported them over the last few decades. The note will say, “We
are extremely thankful for the efforts of all the angel souls, who’ve ensured
that the tribal society survives and is standing on its feet. We are standing
on our feet today. We’re self reliant for most of our requirements – food,
clothing, housing, education, healthcare and many more. We don’t need to buy
them from the outside world. Standing on our feet, we feel that we are in a position to
do something for all you wonderful souls. The society you live may be
benefitted through the richness of our culture and the strength of our
community values.
At this stage, we need to reflect on this subject of
self-reliance. Are we in agreement with the role of AMS as I’ve proposed? How
much money do we need and what is our plan to provide for it? What are the kinds
of community enterprises we need to start to begin the journey of self
reliance? What kind of savings program do we have? Operational details, legal
constitution and many more questions. I have answers for some, you will have
for some and we’ll have to search for some.
No comments:
Post a Comment