Members of Himalayan Unity Mission (HUM) exhorted women, youth associations and village panchayats to be part of the movement they have been spearheading in the name of 'Gaon Bachao Andolan'.
A seminar was organised on Tuesday to take the people from cross sections of the society on board to give further fillip to the movement. Addressing it, Anil Joshi, an eminent environmentalist and the spear of the movement, presented its current status. He said that the movement is now taking roots in each of the villages of Uttarakhand. Meeting and discussions will be held further to strengthen the Village Panchayats which play an instrumental role in the development of the villages, he said.
Notably, Joshi undertook a 21-day extensive tour in the villages across the State to understand the problems the villagers were facing. He stressed on the active participation of the youth as, in his words, they are the ones who can really bring a change and keep the movement alive and thriving.
Vijay Shekhar Dangwal, president of Forest Panchayat Organization Uttarkashi, explained, "We are focused on the basic issues in villages like education, health and employment. Though this movement has just started we want the youth, gram panchayats and women to come and give their support. Also we expect that the problems dogging the forest panchayats will also be dealt with." He also asked his team members to inform the representatives of the Assembly the problems they had encountered during their rural tour. "It is important for us to know their perceptions and reactions of the people so that we can decide what their level of commitment is and work according to that thereafter."
Ayush Thapliyal, activist of Yuva Bharti, a youth-driven society, now lending support to the movement, said, "We, the youth, dream to bring about a change in the society. We all know we have to do something good, but don't have a direction. This movement will give us a direction in which we can work to the betterment of the people. Also I feel that it would turn out to be next big people's movement after the Uttarakhand movement. It is a good opportunity for us to contribute our mite to the revival of the villages as 70% of Uttarakhand comprises villages in hills and forests."
Another supporter and member of Yuva Bharti, Vikas Pant said, "The movement Gaon Bachao Andolan is all about saving and conserving our rural environs and culture. The movement despite being initiated just two months back is yet to get the contour of a real people's movement. We, the youth, will make this happen."