NGO celebrates 40 years of struggles for social justice and empowerment of communities

By Bharat Dogra

SRUTI, known for its highly creative and impactful initiatives for social justice and the empowerment of communities through collective action, has recently celebrated four decades of its remarkable journey.

To mark the beginning of its fifth decade, SRUTI (Society for Rural, Urban and Tribal Initiative) organized an event aptly named “Journeys of Hope and Change” on March 30 in Delhi. The event brought together an extraordinary gathering of social activists from across the country, as well as artists, musicians, writers, and others, all united by a shared commitment to social justice and community empowerment, with a particular focus on marginalized groups.

SRUTI primarily supports social justice initiatives through its flagship fellowship program, which is dedicated to “empowering marginalized people to lead a dignified life with access to livelihoods, resources, rights, and justice.”

The SRUTI Fellows (or sathis) work on a diverse range of issues, including food security, education, livelihoods, labor, and land rights. Their efforts encompass the organization of communities, perspective and capacity building, documentation, and outreach to gain broader support for social justice initiatives. These activities aim to foster collective social action rooted in community needs and an understanding of local problems and solutions. Over the years, this approach has consistently delivered better results than any top-down efforts could achieve.

SRUTI Fellows have also played a crucial role in strengthening and reforming decentralized democratic governance, particularly within panchayati raj institutions, with a special emphasis on gram sabhas and ward sabhas.

Drawing on the contributions of three generations of Fellows, SRUTI continues its impactful work. Currently, it supports 37 Fellow groups across 15 states, reaching over 7,300 villages and 250 urban clusters, and serving a population of approximately 3.4 million people.

In addition to securing support from institutional donors, SRUTI has explored innovative fundraising ideas to sustain its efforts. These include engaging youth in colleges and schools, and even encouraging people to donate scrap materials. Individuals are contacted to collect scrap at their convenience, with receipts provided for transparency. The creative recycling of this scrap not only promotes waste management but also generates funds to support causes such as education in remote villages, improving access to government schemes for the underprivileged, and advocating for the rights of vulnerable communities.

Remarkably, this initiative has raised nearly 25 million rupees for such noble causes.

Reflecting SRUTI’s innovative spirit, the celebration of its 40th anniversary in Delhi was a source of inspiration for those seeking thoughtful lessons to create a better world. A highlight of the event was an exhibition showcasing the work of past and present SRUTI Fellows. Attendees learned about various significant struggles and initiatives aimed at justice, reform, and community empowerment. Key themes included education reform, alternative education models, and issues affecting marginalized and neglected worker groups, such as migrant laborers. The exhibition also shed light on efforts to secure access to land, forests, and water resources (Jal, Jangal, Jameen).

A particularly poignant touch was a section dedicated to honoring Fellows who had passed away in recent years, among whom I recognized the names of some dear friends.

Beyond the stories of SRUTI Fellows, the exhibition featured valuable educational materials on India’s broader heritage of struggles for justice and social reform. These archival exhibits serve a significant educational purpose, despite the unfortunate loss of some materials during earlier Delhi floods.

In addition to the exhibition, the celebration featured captivating musical performances, songs, and displays of organic food, artisan products, and crafts. Smaller, preceding events were also held in Bhopal, Lucknow, Ooty, and Ranchi.

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The writer is the Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Man over Machine—A Path to Peace, Planet in Peril, Protecting Earth for Children, and A Day in 2071

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