VOL. 10 NO. 7 MAY 2013 www.civilsocietyonline.com www.facebook.com/civilsocietyonline `50 AAATTT HHHOOOMMMEEE IIINNN SSSIIIKKKKKKIIIMMM Eco-tourism in India’’s only Gyatso Lepcha and his wife Samsay at their green state homestay INTERVIEW ITS PEOPLE RAJ Chief Minister Pawan Chamling explains the Sikkim model of growth with equity ‘ENDEARING FIRST TIMERS IN KARNATAKA BANGALORE’S MOBILITY WOES FIRMS DELIVER Pages 8-9 Page 29 MORE VALUE’ JACKFRUIT DEFIES DROUGHT MAKING A JOLLY GOOD POINT Pages 12-13 Pages 31-32 Jagdish N. Sheth on the companies of tomorrow RATNAULI’S BRAVE BATTLE FOR HEALTHY GUMS Pages 24-25 Pages 27-28 Page 36 CONTENTS R E A D U S. W E R E A D Y O U. Sikkim’s success HERE are so many things we somehow don’t know about Sikkim. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has been elected four times and the TSikkim Democratic Front government he heads seems to defy all the- ories of anti-incumbency. The state’s economy has been growing at 12 per cent, which is way ahead of other Indian states. Poverty has been all but wiped out because the growth has been bottom up and is accompanied by innovative skill-building strategies and improved yields in agriculture. Chamling has a green vision of development. His model for Sikkim’s COVER STORY economy is sophisticated and farsighted at a time when a rather rudi- mentary, old fashioned debate on industry versus environment rages in the country. AT HOME IN SIKKIM Encouraging Sikkim’s farmers to go organic, Chamling has helped Indias only green state is becoming a much sought after them make the transition in real terms. He has linked farmers to mar- destination for eco-tourism. The government has promoted kets. He has promoted floriculture and eco-tourism. Protection of the comfortable homestays nestled in Sikkims lovely mountains. 16 environment is considered paramount. Industries are welcome as long as they are clean. COVER PHOTOGRAPH: GAUTAM SINGH When a government presents itself like this, work gets done and poli- cies translate into action. Chamling himself comes from a village. “I am Fenced out in Poonch . .10 a politician,” he said to us in a matter of fact way when we were inter- viewing him. It is only politicians with clear goals who can deliver better governance. Architecture is also art . .11 Sikkim’s is a heart-warming story because of the challenges that have been overcome. It is one of India’s youngest states and grapples with seri- Army opposes dam in HP . 12 ous disadvantages because of its location. It was bankrupt and wracked by corruption when Chamling took over in 1994. The state also has its social divisions and political frictions. A crusader for safer roads . 14 But in 20 years, Chamling and his team have shown that a new and refreshing narrative is possible through pragmatic governance at ground level. Change has come from reaching out to people and building trust Mobile tech eases micro-credit . 26 through dialogue. There are lessons in this for the rest of India. In its efforts to speed up economic growth Chamling’s government has had to be inventive and flexible. Its green policies have been best suited Govt can’t be silent . 30 to Sikkim’s natural wealth and rural livelihoods. However, since hydro power is one of Sikkim’s biggest resources, a decison to build dams has been taken while being aware of the damage they will cause. Two of the Charms of lovely Lakshadweep . 32-33 dams have been shelved after protests, but Chamling is going ahead with the remaining 16. From Bihar comes the disturbing news of the violent death of Ram Music with a message . 35 Kumar Thakur who had helped Sanjay Sahni of Ratnauli village in Muzaffarpur district lead a campaign against corruption. Sanjay and his fellow villagers were in last year’s Civil Society Hall of Fame. Shell bowl and leather art . 38 His death raises the need to urgently provide protection to whistle- blowers. A bill on whistleblowers is pending but no one seems to have the time to discuss it. Meanwhile, innocent citizens who have the Contact Civil Society at: courage to expose corruption continue to become targets. [email protected] The magazine does not undertake to respond to unsolicited contributions sent to the editor for publication. Publisher Photo-journalists Printed and published by Umesh Anand Umesh Anand Gautam Singh, from A 53 D, First Floor, Panchsheel Vihar, Advisory Board Get your copy of Civil Society from Lakshman Anand Malviya Nagar, New Delhi -110017. Editor ANUPAM MISHRA Printed at Samrat Offset Pvt. Ltd., Delhi: Bahri Sons, Central Market, Galleria Market, Rita Anand Layout & Design ARUNA ROY B-88, Okhla Phase II, New Delhi - 110020. 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Ph: 011-46033825, DELENG/2003/11607 UPENDRA KAUL Noida. Susheela Nair 9811787772 Total no of pages: 40 Gurgaon: DLF Phase 1 Chandigarh: The Browser. VOICES IN THE LIGHT by SAMITA RATHOR The working elderly have con- this method using less water. And, I agree with the message of this LETTERS tributed immensely to the growth of just to tell your readers, it is already story that food security comes from the economy. being successfully used for wheat, conservation of our diversity such It is time they were taken care of maize and legumes too, albeit with a as ethnic tubers. I appreciate Shree by the government. Pension would lower degree of success than paddy. Padre and Civil Society once again. give them independence and enable Suresh Thapaliyal C.D. Suneesh them to live with dignity. It is shameful that we have not made a Speak up Tubers are neglected crops which decent pension mandatory. This is a need to be put into use along with violation of human rights. Congratulations Rina Mukherjee for mainstream crops. It is also impor- Anshuman Mukherjee the wonderful first person account in tant to create awareness about the ‘Speak up, abandon your fears’. You culinary aspects of these crops. As Women’ s bank have given an inspirational account mentioned in the story, making idlis of your 10-year battle against sexual and sweet dishes from tubers are Ela Bhatt emerges as a visionary in harassment you suffered at the important for making them popular. your intervew, ‘A women’s bank organization that summarily dis- Thimmaiah cannot be just another bank’. Filled missed you. Your victory is a marker with compassion and commitment, of what women like you are capable We are collecting and documenting she has worked relentlessly for of. I remember many ridiculed you various tuber crops in the tribal area Pension Parishad more than 40 years to build up the and some simply discarded you. I of Jawhar with the involvement of SEWA Bank brick by brick. May God salute you from the bottom of my the local community. Your cover story, ‘Pension to all give her more strength in taking the heart. Sudhir M Wagle [email protected] inches along,’ is a telling commen- movement forward to even greater Shoma Chatterji tary on the hardship that elderly heights. working people have to face in [email protected] Tuber feast Wonder plant India. This section of society is the most eligible for pension. Goa has Paddy boom Shree Padre’s story, ‘Taste for tubers With reference to guggulu balm under done well by providing a meaning- on the rise,’ was very informative and Wonder Plant, I would like to say, nat- ful pension to them. Money gives Rakesh Agarwal’s story, ‘Paddy interesting. I would like to grow many ural remedies are best for health. older people dignity and enables boom in barren Damoh’, is one solu- of the tubers mentioned but for the These are natural, effective and give them to live with respect with their tion to the impending water crisis wild boar menace. Shree Padre’s con- long lasting results without any side families. The Union government that is sure to hit agriculture hard. tribution towards India’s food securi- effects. For lowering cholesterol these must expedite this legislation. Definitely, SRI is the alternative as ty deserves special mention. are the best remedies. Anila Sharma more food grains could be grown by Rajagopal [email protected] CIVIL SOCIETY, MAY 2013 5 INDIA INTERVIEW / Pawan Chamling High growth at 12%, four terms in office and environment friendly ‘Sikkim will be a model for a truly green state’ LAKSHMAN ANAND Pawan Chamling: I am a politician and we work for the people. Civil Society News measures to benefit from conservation. been built. While other states are juggling various New Delhi Everybody is encouraged to plant trees. And inter- delivery mechanisms, Sikkim has managed to estingly, Sikkim’s green economy hasn’t affected implement its policies.