response to: humanist movement - empowering the people through self

["Elizabeth Corke" <elac@ecorke.fsnet.co.uk>]

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Dear Sudhir Gandotra.

The political situation in India, as you correctly point out, poses a
central problem to the empowering of individuals and groups. Thus action
for change must come ground up through the formalization of effective
strategies that can function in a positive way within a given mechanism;
which, hopefully, will eventually lead to a restructuring of political,
economic and social systems. The situation as it stands however, is futher
compounded by the desire for further integration into the global capitalist
economy. Indeed, such a system, fundamentally based on inequality - through
the principles of individualism and competetive markets, cannot be seen to
provide the resolve it claims to offer in terms of equality, rights,etc as
the western experience has proved. What is crucial therefore is that ways
are sought that will enable the people of India to empower themselves
through the western system whilst putting in place effective strategies
that will avoid further exploitation at the hands of western governments
and transnational companies. It is my belief that this can be achieved
ground up, by establishing an equal partnership in the world of trade -
underpinned by a strong ethical policy that seeks to empower rather than
exploit. A partnership that will enable villagers to become pro active in
developing their whole communities, rather than individuals - who often
leave behind collective notions of social responsibility as the race for
capitalist gain unfolds.

My colleagues and I are currently building the foundations for such a
partnership, and seek to launch a holistic business enterprise this autumn
based on this principle.We are all professionals in either education,
academia or human rights in India and the UK, and also have knowledge of
business strategy and the various markets. As a group, we have a strong
committment to the philosophy that will underpin the enterprise, which is
reflected in the primary aims . The aim is two fold : 1.to penetrate
western markets, through the use of modern technology and a solid marketing
strategy, for the sale of Indian goods - in a way that will enable profits
to be maximised. 2.to redistribute profit to the villages that produce
goods, through an india based charity that will be organised solely for the
purpose of this enterprise. The charity will encourage active involvement
from the villages in terms of how the money can be best spent to empower
the whole community: i.e  the creation of medical, educational, social
provisions; and will thus also encourage the voices of women to be heard as
they will be significant contributors to the projects success. It is hoped
that through this mechanism, the project will be able to utilise the global
economy in a positive form - through a policy of empowerment.
Although the negative tendencies of capitalist forces at work in the west
are dominant, there is a growing market that would actively support such a
project - which, in turn, will raise an awareness of how alternative
strategies can be put in place effectively - thus exposing ever more the
'needless' unscrupulous tactics that dominate the trade markets.
Although the project is in its birth stages we are interested in making
contact with various organisations that are seeking to empower various
social groups through a principle of self help, who may be interested in
supporting our endeavour. This may take the form of a written endorsement
to be published on the web site, advice on motivating social groups towards
a mechanism of self help, or building contacts with  villages who may
benefit from involvement, and other organisations for the purpose of
raising awareness.
If you would like more information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Two members of the team are returning to Delhi in the summer but we are
currently all UK based.
Many regards

Lizzie Corke.








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