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During the 1980s,
there were limited means of communication in the rural areas. Hence, it
was difficult to convey any information to the rural folk of Rajasthan.
Radio was the only exception. T.V. also had a very limited reach.
Moreover, at that time, no newspaper used to reach the remote villages
of the State. Understanding the problems of the rural people, in 1983,
Pradeep Mehta started publishing a poster-sized newspaper from Jaipur
called ‘Gram Gadar' (Village Revolution). This wall-newspaper is very
effective and popular in rural areas of Rajasthan and, seeing the
growing demand and popularity of 'Gram Gadar' in rural areas, Mehta
established Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS). Certain unavoidable hurdles came in the way of the publication of Gram Gadar’ for a while. However, in view of the past experience and its utility, CUTS re-launched this popular wall-newspaper in January 1994 with the support of Ford Foundation. With changing demand, suitable changes were made and some new sections were introduced, giving it a new look.
‘Gram Gadar’ is sent every month to the rural people, particularly in the rural areas of Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Bundi, Bhilwara, Udaipur and Kota Districts in Rajasthan. ‘Information is Power’, keeping this fact in mind, suggestions and information have been collected from the readers from time to time. Though ‘Information is Power’, it is not the whole in itself. It must help us in achieving the desired goals. As a result, the ‘Nigrani’ section was given a prominent place in ‘Gram Gadar’. Consequently, many letters have been pouring-in from the readers of ‘Gram Gadar’. These letters were analysed and, on the basis of the information collected from them, important conclusions were drawn. ‘Gram Gadar’ has gained popularity not only among the aged people, women, youngsters and children of rural areas, it has also become popular in some urban areas within a short span of time. People have started considering it as their own paper. They have started pasting it on the walls of prominent places in their village. They also ensure its safety and protect it from being torn off the wall. The Extra Departmental Agents (EDA) of the Postal Department helped a lot in this endeavour. In this regard, some selected responses are also published every month in the ‘Aapka Patra Mila’ (Letter to Editor) column.
It appears from the letters received so far
that, as a result of the education-related reports and visuals in
‘Gram Gadar’, readers have developed an interest in education. Even
the illiterates of the village ‘listen’ to the news in ‘Gram Gadar’
from the literates and children of their village. Women are now able to
understand the importance of education. This is a good sign. Under the ‘Nigrani’
section, many questions addressed to women have been answered. Now, many
literacy centres and schools are also demanding ‘Gram Gadar’.
‘Information is Power’ has been proved
through this wall-newspaper. Rural people are now better informed about
their rights. They find the consumer court decisions and other legal
information published in different editions of ‘Gram Gadar’ very
interesting and this information is inspiring them to fight for their
rights. On analysing the letters received in this regard, it is noticed
that the people now enquire about legal information and the procedure to
move a case in the consumer court. ‘Gram Gadar’ has also given a
boost to the consumer movement.
The readers are also urging for publishing
women-related laws. Readers appreciate the news and reports related to
dowry, rape, the right of women in property, etc.
The rural people consider ‘Gram Gadar’
to be a link for rural development and a basis for rapid development in
the villages. They believe that due to the information provided about
the various developmental schemes, even a common person of the village
is taking interest in it. Some people have demanded information about
the various schemes made for the benefit of the farmers, while others
have expressed their reactions about the working procedure in various
government departments through their letters. These people complain
about the plight of various development projects that are still
incomplete. They hold negligence of the officers and corruption
responsible for this.
There is a common perception among the rural people that ‘Gram Gadar’ has inspired them to work together to keep the village clean and push for the fulfilment of various beneficial schemes and projects. Because of ‘Gram Gadar’, now they exchange letters with various departments also. Many letters have also been sent to CUTS with requests for starting some important and profitable schemes for the villages. This proves their growing interest in development.
The arrival of ‘Gram Gadar’ in
various rural areas and the questions raised under the ‘Nigrani’
section has led to an increased activity in the working of the
Government departments. Where mere announcements of various schemes were
made, now the bureaucrats are busy in implementing them. Readers believe
that this would help in removing the inertia of the Government
departments and undertakings. Certainly, this would activate the local
Government officials and workers and help curb corruption and
carelessness.
In the 20 years of the publication of ‘Gram
Gadar’, due to the support and suggestions from rural villagers and
voluntary organisations, the wall-newspaper has been successful in
bringing up the grassroot problems, suggestions, government plans, legal
facts and presenting them and the voice of the rural folk in an easily
understandable and common form. Thousands of letters received from the
readers prove that it has established itself as a newspaper with a rural
background. CUTS is committed to publish ‘Gram Gadar’ regularly.
June
1995
Read Gram Gadar. Felt as if the King of Rajasthan has
taken birth, by taking responsibility of providing justice to the poor.
When I read this out to my old mother, she said, “Such angels are sent
from the heaven for the sake of poor”.
Bhanwar Singh
Bhagwanpura, Masuda, Ajmer
Information related to consumer welfare in Gram Gadar
is enlightening. In the legal information provided, the news related to
dowry and women is liked by the villagers. The wall-newspaper is
enlightening rural people by providing a lot of information. People read
this with great interest.
S.K. Yadav Announcement For Gram Gadar Journalism Award
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