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3RD GOLI GAMDI TO NINGHAT (GUJARAT) SHODHYATRA - REPORT
The third shodhyatra was from central Gujarat to south Gujarat covering four districts of Vadodara, Narmada, Bharuch and Sankheda in search of local creative talent.
CREATIVE BEGINNING
The tradition in SRISTI Parivar has been to co-ordinate and spread the ingenuity of innovative farmers and cattle rearers. It had an excellent aim of spreading the nectar of the ingenuity of learned farmers and cattle rearers all around. The first Shodh Yatra was carried out from Gir to Gadhada in May 1998 and the second Shodh Yatra from Amirgadh to Tundia in December 1998. The success of the two Shodh Yatras encouraged us to undertake the third Shodh Yatra from central Gujarat to south Gujarat. It was decided to carry out the third Shodh Yatra from Gola Gamdi (Mangalbharti) village of Bharuch district to Niganth village of Bharuch district, which covered Vadodra,
Narmada Bharuch and Sankheda districts, Tilakvada, Rajpipla and Dediapda Talukas and 42 villages stretching over 150Kms, with the aim to build the relationships with aborigines, forest dwellers, and forest to co-ordinate and fecilitate women with deep understanding, spread the awareness of reviving the forest and maintaining them, to gain information on indigenous breed, weather indicators, rain indicators and various species of vegetation, their growth and protection.
ASSOCIATION, COMPANY, REMEMBRANCE
On 15th May 1999 at 10:30 A.M. the first meeting of Shodh Yatra was held in which 11 creative farmers of SRISTI, 3 members of Gyan 8 members of SRISTI and 5 students. The principal Yogeshbhai Trivedi of Gram Vidyapith welcomed the Shodhyatries. It was followed by a detailed introduction of SRISTI, aim of Shodh Yatra and information about creative people. Prof. Anil Gupta said that the main activity of SRISTI was to spread the innovative ideas of the farmers regarding Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
SRISTI encourages farmers, women and children in their creative activities, rural culture and new inventions. Shri Nitinbhai Shah gave adequate information about Agriculture science centers, Shri Maheshbhai Patel gave information about Gyan the sister concern of SRISTI. After lunch the Shodh Yatra started with the blessed chant of Om Namah Shivay”.
GLIMPSES OF SHODHYATRA
Meetings were organised daily with the villagers after lunch and dinner. In the meeting veterinary problems, environmental indicators, local folksongs and problems of mordenisation were discussed. Creative members of SRISTI Shri Bhanjibhai Mathukia discussed the Tractor Shri Arvindbhai discussed the water cooler Shri Amrutbhai Agrawat discussed the Aruni Bullock cart Shri Badribhai Patel talked about his experiences of organic farming, Shri Rasikbhai gave information about tuver Shri Aaditya Patel talked about medicinal vegetation and Shri Gamelsinh Rana talked about pesticides made from medicinal plants and its various facts were narrated to the villagers.
Exhibitions were arranged, pamphlets giving detailed information about activities of SRISTI and Loksarvani were distributed. Moreover computer and overhead projectors were also used to provide information to the villagers.
A constant contact was maintained between those villages linked by Shodh Yatra and the experiences of farmers, veterinarians and innovative abilities of women. Moreover their abilities were recognised by giving them certificates.
23rd May 1999 was the last day of the Shodh Yatra and the last meeting of the Shodh Yatra was held at 10:00 A.M. at Ninghat village in which the gathered women were told that their abilities would be documented. The Sarpanch showed his willingness to start an information bank in the region. The marchers dwelled upon their experiences of the Shodh Yatra and discussed the organisation of the next Shodh Yatra in which Shri Hasmukhbhai Parmar suggested that the next Shodh Yatra should be held in the backward regions of Ahmedabad. Arvindbhai Patel suggested to carry out the Shodh Yatra in central Gujarat while Shri Badribhai Patel, Shri Gamelsinh Rana, Shri Amrutbhai Agrawal, Shri Bhanjibhai Mathukia and Shri Rasikbhai Bhesania suggested the Kutch region for the next Shodh Yatra.
In the end an executive of SRISTI Shri Chimanbhai Parmar sang the song “Bhitar no bherudo maro marag no chindhnaro bhomiyo khovano. In the memory of a veterinarian of Ninghat who was connected with SRISTI, late Shri Williambhai Vasava. With thanks giving Shodh Yatra was concluded.
THE FINDINGS OF THE SHODHYATRA
During the Shodh Yatra, 195 students participated in biodiversity competition held in villages of Nandpur, Vohra, Mangu, Chopdi, Juna mozda, Nani singlori and Ninghat. 87 students earned certificates, 20 students were given a prize of Rs.50 and a certificate. Before the competition each participant was given proper guidance by the SRISTI Parivar. Nileshkumar Amarsinh Vasava who stood first in the competition had information and usage of 123 trees, herbs and shrubs.
The local women who provided information on shrubs which were not cultivated but were consumed as vegetables and were used in many other edible recipe, were felicitated. Among them were included Hetuben Kamsinhbhai Vasava, Dhaniben Samibhai Vasava and Ramniben Dajhibhai Vasava. In turn we received gifts of about 8 new agricultural implements.
We documented 59 methods on animal Husbandry, 34 methods of crop protection, 9 methods of grain storage, 4 information indicators and information on 31 special non cultivable vegetative products. We were also told about 4 ladies interested in various experimentations. The vice President, of Akhil Bhartiya Vanoushadhi Abhyas Mandal Vaidya and Shri. Adityabhai Patel gave useful information about the various medicinal plants. The complete Shodh Yatra was recorded on a VCR and a camera.
The rains have always befriended the Shodhyatris. During the first Shodh Yatra when the marchers were on the way from Vader to Mota Sankadiya the rains saved the marchers from the temperature of 43oC, and again during the third Shodh Yatra rains provided the relief to the marchers at the Besana village.
FLICKR GALLERY
