In refusing to glorify the use of fear, violence, we may tap hidden strengths

In the spectrum of himsa and ahimsa, we are free to look at the whole story. The reward may not be complete freedom from fear, but in refusing to glorify the use of fear, we may tap hidden strengths.https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/in-refusing-to-glorify-the-use-of-fear-violence-we-may-tap-hidden-strengths-10025062/ ..(not turning the other cheek ) the worst forms of impotence are a consequence of rage, not nonviolence. The essence of how contemporary practitioners understand “ahimsa parmo dharma” is: If you act from a higher level of awareness, drawing on finer human emotions, you can work out effective, refined strategies to overcome injustice... Nonviolence defines victory as standing firm in your strength and having the willingness to co-exist, co-thrive with the “other”.

Great 35, MKSS

It's been 35 years , (1990 to 2025), since we assembled at Bhim, in Rajsamand District to launch the MKSS.  The early years were tumultuous but the path to equality and justice was clear, and the impediments many. 

The minimum wages battles led to the RTI and MGNREGA and later to the Rights based laws. The years have passed packed with the million issues of denial of basic rights to survive, yet the struggle continues,  despite usympathetic structures and governments. 

Work and workers  now operate in  a different paradigm. The laws have changed and work is contract work, without guarantees. The Gig Workers law, a law for old age pension and an urban employment scheme amongst otgers have seen the light of day. 

The few windows of opportunities we  see, have been relentlessly pursued. 

We celebrate today's Mazdoor Mela in Bhim, in the spirit of a celebration of ourselves and our struggles - the right to survive with dignity and joy.

Aruna, Nikhil and Shankar and the MKSS.

https://www.freedominfo.org/2004/06/the-right-to-know-is-the-right-to-live-3/ 

https://youtu.be/-TXSb2ofJLM  Shankar : Hum Kya Mange

Nikhil De On 15 years of RTI  https://youtu.be/1Q_XUnNfHaQ

 

 

 

I am not your Apology _ farahdeen

And I must speak, not softly but starkly:
I am no confessor for a stranger’s sins.
No tribunal sits above my brow.
I owe no one the hippodrome of guilt.
The sun rises without my bidding,
and so too do the madmen fall—without my nod.

I am Indian. Not as an addendum.

https://www.farahdeen.com/2025/04/i-am-not-your-apology.html