Following its land rights padyatra (long march)  in Bihar last year, Ekta Parishad, devised a ‘Rebuilding Bihar’ programme to tackle many of the injustices it found and create greater tolerance between communities.

A key element in that programme are the youth camps in which Ekta Parishad brings young people together for 10 days each month.  The camps are held in the fertile, but violence-prone belt between Gaya and Patna.  There the youths work with local people on repairing old irrigation tanks and canals. People work together each morning, then after lunch there are discussions, teach-ins and cultural programmes.

The first camps were held early in 2002 and will continue throughout the year. This emphasis on positive work and bringing people together has already reduced tension in the area. Now more villages are coming forward to ask Ekta Parishad to work with them. 

During the AVI team’s visit to Bihar in March, we spent a few hours at the camp in Jehanabad District.  We missed all the work as our arrival coincided with lunch!  After a village meeting and a short, explosive, performance by Ekta Parishad’s cultural team, everyone set off for the base camp at a nearby middle school where they were staying. 

Ekta Parishad’s National Convenor, Rajagopal P.V. met us at the school where we discussed future EP/AVI co-operation, including long-term support for Ekta Parishad’s work in Orissa, including a padyatra early nextt year. 

Anyone interested in participating in the youth camps or the padystra in Orissa, please contact Ivan at the AVI office.