Changing India – Step III
Exactly a week from now, I will be leaving for Indore (in Madhya Pradesh) on one of the most unusual visits I have ever made.
Over a period of seven days (between 2nd ~ 7th Jul ’09), I will be meeting a large number of people, from diverse backgrounds and varied affiliations…but sharing one thing in common – a dream for a better India.
This visit is part of an outreach effort to get more amongst us interested and involved in politics…but that is not what makes it unusual.
What makes it unusual is that the visit is being supported entirely – and generously – by members of the Freedom Team of India. Many of you may have heard about the group (on this blog and elsewhere) but in case you have not, I would encourage you to visit the site and spend some time on it. I will not say much except this (FTI) is beyond a doubt one of the most serious efforts at reforms in India and engaging future, potential leaders in the political process.
Increasing the group’s membership and generating awareness is obviously a major focus of our efforts and the Indore visit is a part of that. Two very committed FTI members from Indore (Sh L K Kandpal and Ajay Anand) have put in enormous amounts of time and effort over the past few days to make the visit a reality and to make sure that we make the best use of our time.
Something like this would have been impossible without their support. Ajay and Sh Kandpal have organised a series of meetings in Indore between 2nd Jul – 6th Jul and if any of you are around (or planning to visit) – or have friends and relatives in Indore, do let them know and do consider joining one of the many meetings that we will have.
I can assure you that it will be time well spent.
I am extremely pleased with this effort. It is a strong and very tangible evidence of support for the rise of a new political consciousness in India….and brings us one step closer to “Changing India“…Revolutionary changes require mass participation and a genuine commitment from people…commitment to do what they can, commitment to support nascent political efforts, commitment to encourage our family, friends, colleagues and others to start thinking about politics. This feels like the beginning of such a change.
I am really looking forward to the visit …The schedule will be as intense as some of the packed business-trips I sometimes make…but I am sure I will come back reinvigorated and re-energised.
If this goes well…and I am confident it will…I am seriously contemplating similarly supported visits to other cities/parts of India in the coming months.
The next such visit (possibly in November), for which I have some initial support may be to North-East India- a region which is routinely neglected, ignored, overlooked and hardly finds any space in the public consciousness. That plan is at an early stage but any help, suggestions, ideas and support for such an effort will be gratefully acknowledged and truly welcome.
In any case, I will keep everyone updated on progress.
Watch this space – It is about to become more interesting!
Related Posts:
Changing India – One Step at a Time
Coming Out of the Closet – Who is B Shantanu?
UPDATE:
and Quick Notes from Indore – Part II
Also read: Changing India – Step IV
Finally the wheel is rotating and we are moving ahead. I am sure after this visit we can organize more visits to other parts of the country as well.
Like here in Pune I’m currently speaking with active groups and individuals. We will make an effort to have a weekly or bi-weekly meeting in Pune among FTI members and then decide about the course of action.
I’m really very excited about this effort because I’m sure this will revolutionize the Indian Politics.
All the best!! Fight till we last!!
!Jai Hind!
Thanks Sandeep…I will look forward to hearing more details about your activities in Pune
Great! I just read this.How can we be a part of it?
@ Neha: Pl. visit the Freedom Team of India website at http://freedomteam.in
If you have the time (and the inclination), feel free to come to my talk at SGSITS today at 430pm (6th Jul). I realise this is very very last minute…so if it is not possible, I do understand.
Why don’t you now make Satyameva Jayate a site with definite statement of policies and move a step towards creating organization whose purpose is to shape India’s future? There is no point in ceaselessly arguing on various topics like MK Gandhi or RSS or Congress without measuring whether it creates the desired impact or not in society.
Some Learnings and First Impressions, following the visit:
– There is a very strong under-current of dissatisfaction in urban India and amongst youth; The youth are sceptical and will not be swayed unless they to see a serious and credible effort, with high calibre leadership at the helm
– FTI’s strategic road-map is too high-level and will need to be filled in with a lot more detail (e.g. how and when do we expect to get from 70 to 1500)
– FTI’s policies need to be displayed more prominently on the website – even if they are work in progress
– FTI will need to have a very clear and credible strategy regarding fund-raising so that potential supporters can believe that they are backing a credible and “likely-to-win†team
– “Feet on the ground†will be/are critical as we build our organisation. How are we hoping to get supporters (not just leaders)? Why would they join FTI? Adharshila will help, I feel but it has been slow so far.
– Slides generally do not work well (in most cases). They are not very useful if one needs to rouse an audience; Even if they are used to convey information, brochures/pamphlets may be more helpful.
– A good grasp of the local language is *essential*. This helps in breaking the ice and creating a strong emotional connection which may not happen with English (even though the audience may be well educated and fluent in English)
Thanks all – especially to Ajay and LK without whose support and effort, this would have remained a pipe dream. I am also truly grateful to everyone who contributed and supported in whatever way they could.
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I also have a compilation of reports by other FTI members on this initiative. You can download this from the Docs and Slides box on the Links page. It is called FTI Outreach Reports
FTI is an organization with some fantastic policies/ views like that on population, free economy etc… I don’t think I will join the site… I expressed the same to Patriot in some blog some time back.