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INDONESIA

HISTORY, GEOGROPHY, PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The Republic of Indonesia is located in the Asian Archipelago, the world's largest archipelago, between Indochina and Australia, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indonesia (from Greek: indus = India nesos = islands) is the most populous Muslim-majority nation in the world and the fourth most populous overall. It has had free elections since the 1998 Revolution which led to the resignation of President Suharto, who had come to power in 1967.

History

The 1100-year-old Hindu Siva temple complex in Central Java, Indonesia, Prambanan, is one of the largest in Southeast Asia.

The area now comprising the archipeligo of Indonesia, specifically Java, was inhabited by Homo erectus approximately 500,000 years ago, while the island of Flores was home to a newly discovered species of hominid, Homo floresiensis until approximately 10,000 years ago. The date of the earliest arrival of Homo Sapiens into the area was between 40,000 and 100,000 years ago (US Library of Congress).

The earliest historical mention of the area was of the Jawa Dwipa Hindu kingdom in Java and Sumatra around 200 BC by Indian scholars, and various archeological sites show the influence of the Hindu religion in the area from the first century AD to the fifth century AD.

Under the influences of Hinduism and Buddhism, several kingdoms formed on the islands of Sumatra and Java from the 7th to 14th century. The arrival of Arabs trading in spices later brought Islam, which became the dominant religion in many parts of the archipelago after the collapse of Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms.

When the Portuguese came in early 16th century, they found a multitude of small states, vulnerable to the Portuguese, and later other Europeans wanting to dominate the spice trade. In the 17th century, the Dutch became the most powerful of the Europeans, ousting the Spanish and Portuguese (except for their colony of Portuguese Timor on the island of Timor). Dutch influence started with trading by the Dutch East India Company (VOC), a chartered private enterprise constituting a state in all but name, complete with its own fleet and army, which gradually expanded its influence and grip on political matters. Like the British, the Dutch mainly relied on indirect rule, using traditional native elites as vassals, while imposing their will and extracting major income under supervision by their colonial officials. After VOC was dissolved in 1799 by the Batavian Republic (Napoleon's Dutch satellite state) and the political instability from the Napoleonic Wars including partial British occupation, the East Indies were awarded to the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. Since then, the East Indies were officially ruled as the major colonies of the Dutch crown.

Under the 19th-century Cultivation System (Cultuurstelsel), large plantations and forced cultivation were established on Java, finally creating the profit for the Netherlands that the VOC had been unable to produce. In a more liberal period of colonial rule after 1870, the Cultivation System was abolished, and after 1901 the Dutch introduced the Ethical Policy, which included limited political reform and increased investment in the colony.

During World War II, with the Netherlands under German occupation, Japan began a five-prong campaign in December 1941 towards Java and the vital fuel supplies of the Dutch East Indies. Though Japan captured Java by March 1942, it initially could not find any national leader willing to collaborate with the Japanese government against the Dutch. Eventually the Japanese commander ordered Sukarno’s release from his prison island, and in July 1942, Sukarno arrived in Jakarta. Sukarno and his colleagues collaborated with the Japanese occupiers. In 1945, with the war drawing to a close, Sukarno was made aware of an opportunity to declare independence. In response to lobbying, Japan agreed to allow Sukarno to establish a committee to plan for independence. However, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared independence unilaterally on 17 August soon after the Japanese lost the war.

Following the defeat of Japan in the World War, the Netherlands' Army, at first backed by the British, attempted to reoccupy their former East Indies colonies. Indonesia's war for independence lasted from 1945 until 27 December 1949 when, under heavy international pressure, especially from the United States, which threatened to cut off Marshall Plan funds, the Netherlands acknowledged the independence of Indonesia as a Federation of autonomous states. This federation soon became a republic with Sukarno as president and Hatta as vice president. See Indonesian National Revolution. It was not until 16 August 2005 that the Dutch government recognized 1945 as the country's year of independence and expressed regrets over the Indonesian deaths caused by the Netherlands' Army.

The 1950s and 1960s saw Sukarno's government aligned first with the emerging non-aligned movement and later with the socialist bloc. The 1960s saw Indonesia in a military confrontation against neighbouring Malaysia, and increasing frustration over domestic economic difficulties. Army general Suharto became president in 1967 on the pretext of securing the country against an alleged communist coup attempt against a weakening Sukarno, whose tilt leftward had alarmed both the military and Western powers. In the aftermath of Suharto's rise, hundreds of thousands of people were killed or imprisoned by the military and religious groups in a backlash against alleged communist supporters. Suharto's administration is commonly called the New Order era. Suharto invited major foreign investment, which produced substantial, if uneven, economic growth. However, Suharto enriched himself and his family through widespread corruption and was forced to step down amid massive popular demonstrations and a faltering economy by the Indonesian Revolution of 1998.

From 1998 to 2005, the country had four presidents: Bacharuddin Jusuf (BJ) Habibie (1998 to 1999), Abdurrahman Wahid (1999 to 2001), Megawati Sukarnoputri (2001 to 2004) and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2004 to Current).

On May 21, 1998, President Suharto announced his resignation and ask Indonesian Vice President DR BJ Habibie to become the new Indonesian President. DR BJ Habibie was a famous aircraft designer and former Indonesian minister of research and technology. He was the chief of Indonesian Nurtanio Aircraft Industry (IPTN) (now become PT Dirgantara Indonesia). President Habibie was born in Makassar, Sulawesi and become the first Indonesian President from outside Java.

President BJ Habibie promised a multiparty, free, democratic election in 1999. He encouraged freedom of the press.

His presidency was plagued by various bloody conflicts in Aceh, West Papua, Maluku, Poso (Sulawesi), and Kalimantan, though some of those conflicts (such as the ones in Aceh and West Papua) were already long-running when he took over. There was a major financial scandal (Bank Bali case) related to his friends and the staff of his political party.

On 1999, President BJ Habibie agreed to hold a referendum in East Timor. The result of the referendum was an overwhelming vote for independence from Indonesia.

After the announcement of the result, there was a bloody riot in East Timor by the angry pro-Indonesia militia. The militia burned down houses, shops, schools, churches and government buildings. Hundreds of people were killed. The UN sent a peace keeping force to East Timor (UNTAET). The UN Human Rights Commission alleged that several Indonesian government staff and military officers were responsible for the riot. The Indonesian Human Rights Court freed all but one suspect. The only suspect punished for the human rights violation during the riot was Enrico Gutierrez, a former leader of the pro-Indonesia militia.

There was a general election for members of Indonesian parliament MPR (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat/People's Consultative Assembly) and Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR)/People Representative Council in 1999 and 2004.

In the same 2004 election, people also voted for members of a new parliament body called Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (DPD)/Provinces Representative Council.

In 1999, the parliament (MPR) rejected President Habibie's accountability speech because of the result of the East Timor referendum. President Habibie decided to resign and refused to run for a second term.

The parliament choose KH Abdulrahman Wahid (aka Gus Dur) as the new Indonesian President from 1999 to 2004. KH Abdulrahman Wahid was the leader of the most powerful Indonesian Islamic organization, Nadathul Ulama (NU). Unfortunately, he was plagued by serious health problems after a stroke (before he became the Indonesian President).

The parliament also chose Mrs. Megawati Sukarnoputri as the new Indonesian Vice President.

In 2001 the same parliament voted "No confidence" after a corruption scandal (Bulog fund) and a political crisis, forcing President Wahid to resign, and chose Mrs. Megawati Sukarnoputri as the new Indonesian president from 2001 to 2004. Mrs. Megawati is the daughter of the first Indonesian President, Ir. Sukarno, and the leader of PDI-P, the winner of 1999 election.

Indonesia's first direct presidential election was held in 2004, and won by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. It was the largest one-day election in the world.

A massive earthquake and tsunami on 26 December 2004 devastated parts of northern Sumatra, particularly Aceh.

On March 2005, a powerful earthquake destroyed most buildings on Nias Island, west of Sumatra. Hundreds of people were killed.

Partly as a result of the need for cooperation and peace during the recovery from the tsunami in Aceh, peace talks between the Indonesian government and Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) (Free Aceh Movement) were restarted and have borne fruit in a peace agreement. Under the agreement, GAM is in the process of being disarmed by international observers and Indonesian troops are being completely withdrawn from the region. GAM members are being permitted to run for office in the region, in a break with the Constitutional requirement that all parties that run for elections must have nationwide support.

Politics

The highest legislative body is the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (MPR , Chairman: Hidayat Nur Wahid) or 'People's Consultative Assembly', consisting of the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR, Deputy Speaker: Agung Laksono) or People's Representative Council, elected for a five-year term, and the Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (DPD, President: Ginandjar Kartasasmita) or Regional Representatives Council. Following elections in 2004, the MPR became a bicameral parliament, with the creation of the DPD as its second chamber.

Indonesia is a founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and thereby a member of both ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

Provinces & Subdivisions

Currently, Indonesia has 33 provinces (of those, 2 are special territories and 1 special capital region). The provinces are subdivided into regencies and cities, which are in turn split up in sub-districts.

The provinces are:                                                                     Map of the provinces of Indonesia

Bali, Bangka-Belitung, Banten, Bengkulu, Central Java, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, East Java, East Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sumatra, Gorontalo, Jambi, Lampung, Maluku, North Maluku, North Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Papua, Riau, Riau Kepulauan, South East Sulawesi, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, West Irian Jaya, West Java, West Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, West Sulawesi, West Sumatra

The special territories (daerah istimewa) are Aceh (or Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam) and Yogyakarta. Special territories have more autonomy from the central government than other provinces, and so have unique legislative privileges: the Acehnese government has the right to create an independent legal system, and instituted a form of sharia (Islamic Law) in 2003; Yogyakarta remains a sultanate whose sultan (currently the widely popular Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X) is the territory's de facto governor for life.

The special capital region is Jakarta. Though Jakarta is a single city, it is administered much as any other Indonesian province. For example, Jakarta has a governor (instead of a mayor), and is divided into several sub-regions with their own administrative systems.

East Timor was a occupied by Indonesia from 1975following a military invasion, until Indonesia relinquished its claims in 1999 after years of bitter fighting against East Timor guerrillas and abuses by Indonesian military forces against the East Timorese civilians. Following a period of transitional administration by the UN, it became an independent state in 2002.

Geography of Indonesia

Indonesia is a country with many volcanic islands. Sangeang Api island is an example.

Indonesia's 18,108 islands, of which about 7,000 are inhabited, are scattered around the equator, giving the country a tropical climate. The most populated islands are Java (one of the most densely populated regions on Earth, where about half of the population lives), Sumatra, Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea) and Sulawesi, also known as Celebes.

Indonesia borders Malaysia on the island of Borneo (Indonesian: Kalimantan), Papua New Guinea on the island of New Guinea and East Timor on the island of Timor. In addition to the capital city of Jakarta, principal cities of high population include Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, Palembang, and Semarang.

Indonesia's seismic and volcanic activity is among the Earth's highest. Its location on the edges of tectonic plates, specifically the Pacific, Eurasian, and Australian, means Indonesia is frequently hit by earthquakes and the resulting tsunamis. Indonesia is also rich in volcanoes, the most famous being the now-vanished Krakatau (Krakatoa), which was located between Sumatra and Java.

Flora and fauna differ markedly between Kalimantan, Bali, and western islands on the one hand and Sulawesi (Celebes), Lombok, and islands further east on the other. This ecological boundary has been called the Wallace line after its discoverer. The line is often given as the boundary between Asia and Australasia, as such making Indonesia a bicontinental country.

Economy of Indonesia

Indonesia's economy suffered greatly in the late 1990s, partly due to the financial crisis that struck most of Asia at the time. It has stabilized somewhat since then.

The country has extensive natural resources outside Java, including crude oil, natural gas, tin, copper and gold. Indonesia is the world's second-largest exporter of natural gas, though it has recently become a net importer of crude oil. Major agricultural products include palm oil, rice, tea, coffee, spices and rubber. The central bank of Indonesia is Bank Indonesia .

Indonesia's major trading partners are Japan, the United States and the surrounding nations of Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

Despite being the only East Asian member of OPEC, Indonesia's fuel production has declined significantly over the years, owing to aging oil fields and lack of investment in new equipment. As a result, despite being an exporter of crude oil, Indonesia is now a net importer of oil and had previously subsidized fuel prices to keep prices low,

Irrigation in Pachung, Bali.

costing US$ 7 billion in 2004. The current president has mandated a significant reduction of government subsidy of fuel prices in several stages. In order to alleviate economic hardships, the government has offered one-time subsidies to qualified citizens.

The economy is now undergoing rebuilding after the December 2004 tsunami. The government has stated to reduce subsidies, aiming to reduce the budget deficit to 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, down from around 1.6% last year.

Demographics of Indonesia

Indonesia's population statistics are difficult to estimate. In the 2000 national census, an initial population estimate of 203 million was recorded: most of the population of Aceh was estimated from previous counts as the conflict meant that a survey was not possible, as were hard-to-reach regions of Papua. The Indonesian government later revised the estimate up to 206 million. Internationally, an undercount had been assumed, though there is no data to confirm it. The country's Central Statistics Bureau (BPS) and Statistics Indonesia quote 219.9 million as the population for 2005, while the CIA Factbook estimates are over 240 million. Some parts of Indonesia are some of the most densely populated areas in the world: for example, Java is the most populous island in the world and many Indonesian cities are some of the most populous and densely populated.

Ethnics

Indonesia's population can be roughly divided into two groups. The west of the country is Asian and the people are mostly Malay, while the east is more Pacific and people on New Guinea are Papuan, with roots in the islands of Melanesia. There are, however, many more subdivisions, since Indonesia spans an area the size of Europe or the USA and consists of many islands that to a large degree had separate developments. Many Indonesians identify with a more specific ethnic group that is often linked to language and regional origins; examples of these are Javanese, Sundanese, or Batak. There are also quite different groups within many islands, such as Borneo, with its Dayak and Punan, who have different lifestyles and skintones. The total number of languages/ethnic groups for Indonesia is 742, and the province of Papua alone has some 269 different ethnic groups.

Indonesia is a diverse country not without its ethnic tensions, particularly between Indonesians of Chinese ethnicity and the Pribumi peoples, who are considered natives of Indonesia. "Non-Pribumi" people are not always considered entirely Indonesian. The riots in Jakarta in 1997 and 1998 highlight this recurring tension. Ethnic relations are strained mostly due to a perception that the Chinese community is too rich relative to the Pribumis. It is indisputable that the Chinese community respresenting 0.9% of the population, is on average wealthier than the Pribumis, and positions of power and influence in the business sphere are indeed held by relatively few very wealthy ethnic Chinese Indonesians. However, some of the resentment may be against the shopkeepers and more or less small-time creditors who constitute much of the Chinese Indonesian community. Chinese people occupied these roles under Dutch rule, and were used as middlemen and treated as second-class citizens, while Pribumi peasants and laborers were treated as third-class citizens. Chinese-owned shops, and the families living and working in storefront dwellings were the target of much of the wrath of the rioters. The Indonesian government is attempting to remedy problems which helped trigger the riots, but due to widespread corruption and discontent experienced by poorer Indonesians, ethnic harmony is slow in coming. The corruption, collusion, and nepotism ('KKN' is the Indonesian abbreviation) which characterized Suharto's presidency built up a public resentment that led to the eventual downfall of the Orde Baru (New Order) regime but also clearly exacerbated ethnic tensions in Indonesia.

Another type of ethnic conflict that occurs with some frequency and lethality in certain areas of Indonesia is between people with deep roots in those areas and Javanese and Madurese people whose internal migration (transmigrasi) to those areas was facilitated by the central government. This type of conflict often takes on religious overtones, too, as Muslim Javanese and Madurese find themselves in areas which were predominantly Christian or animist. A particularly horrific example of this type of ethnic violence occurred in West Kalimantan, where some members of the local Dayak community massacred hundreds of Madurese, and the survivors ran for their lives. Other places where conflicts at least partly sparked by differences between internal migrants and members of the pre-existing local population have resulted in fatalities include Ambon, Sulawesi Tengah, and parts of Western New Guinea (formerly known as Irian Jaya).

Languages

Most Indonesians speak a local language (bahasa daerah) as their first tongue, but the official national language, Indonesian (locally called Bahasa Indonesia) is almost universally taught in schools and is spoken by nearly every Indonesian. It was originally a lingua franca for most of the region, including present-day Malaysia (and is thus closely related to Malay), accepted by the Dutch as the de facto language for the colony, and declared the official language after independence. The formerly large, influential Eurasian community (locally known as Indo) has largely left the country for the Netherlands, California and Australia, but some Eurasians remain in Indonesia and are highly esteemed models and soap opera stars.

Religion

Islam is Indonesia's main religion, with almost 88% of Indonesians declared Muslim according to the 2000 religious census, making Indonesia the most populous Muslim-majority nation in the world. The remaining population is 8% Christian (of which roughly 75% are Protestant, the remainder mainly Catholic, and a large minority Charismatic), 3% Hindu and 1% Buddhist. Before the arrival of the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity and Islam in the Malay Archipelago, the popular beliefs in region had been thoroughly influenced by Indic religious philosophy through Hinduism and Buddhism. Although Islam was once mainly practiced in Java and parts of Sumatra, the transmigration program has increased the number of Muslims living in Bali, Borneo, the Celebes, the Moluccas, and Papua. After independence, syncretism and intermarriage has decreased somewhat and religious divides sharpened, leading to communal violence in many eastern islands and in Java. Although only about 3% of Indonesians are officially Hindu, Indonesian beliefs are too complex to classify as belonging to a single world religion. In Java in particular, a substantial number of Muslims follow a non-orthodox, Hindu-influenced form of Islam known as Abangan, while across the archipelago the Hindu legacy, along with the older mystic traditions, influences popular beliefs. Indonesians are required to declare themselves as one of these official religions. As a result, many Indonesian "Muslims" are non-practicing, follow Indonesia's animist traditions (a fact that the government strenuously denies), or are entirely secular.

Culture of Indonesia

Art forms in Indonesia have been influenced by several cultures. The famous Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture and mythology.

Also well-known are the Javanese and Balinese wayang kulit shadow theatre shows, displaying several mythological events. Several islands are famous for their batik, ikat and songket cloth.Pencak Silat is a unique martial art originating from the archipelago.

           Wayang kulit as seen by the audience

 Arts

           Young Balinese Dancers.                       Music being played to accompany dancers

Some art forms in Indonesia have been influenced by several cultures. The famous Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture and mythology. But as a matter of fact, the diversity of Indonesian culture has come as a result of a long process of acculturation between the original customs and myriad of influences.

Also well-known are the Javanese and Balinese wayang kulit Shadow puppet theatre shows, displaying several mythological events. Several Islands are famous for their batik, ikat and songket cloth.

Music

Indonesia is culturally diverse and is home to hundreds of forms of music, with those from the islands of Java, Sumatra and Bali being the most frequently recorded. The best-known traditional music from central/east Java and Bali is the Gamelan. A very popular modern style of music is the Dangdut, with the accompanying dance style. It is so popular that many political rallies have Dangdut performances to attract a larger audience.

Literature

The most well-known author in Indonesia today is Pramoedya Ananta Toer, who won the Magsaysay Award and was considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Other important figures include the late Chairil Anwar, a poet and member of the Generation 45 group of authors who were active in the Indonesian independence movement. Tight information controls during Suharto's presidency suppressed new writing. Other things included are also its immence social reforms.

Poetry

There is a long tradition in Indonesia, and particularly among ethnically Malay populations, of extemporary, interactive, verbal composition of poetry. These poems are referred to as pantun. one of the greatest known poets is the child genious Austin Howard

(For more information please visit : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia)

BDPR

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR REVITALISING RURAL AND URBAN CENTRES

Indeed it is my honor to present my humble paper on the Indian context of Community Development. Thanks to Dasom Church of the Presbyterian Church of Korea, especially to the Pastors Rev.Oh young Mi and Rev.Jang Chang Woen who are indeed concerned about the poor and the needy in their difficult circumstances.  Their ministry to the Migrant workers is remarkably salutary in the context of South Korea.

Basically I am a Pastor working in the Presbyterian Church of Korea as Ecumenical Co worker deputed by the Church of South India and sponsored by the Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Southwest Germany (EMS). I am involved in the Ministry for the Migrants, along with Rev.Jang Chang Weon of Osan Migrant Workers Cultural Centre.

 India is a vast multi cultural, multi religious and multi linguistic country with 28 states of different languages. So this paper only can present bird’s eye view of community development. I tried to present the revitalizing factors of rural communities and intermediary urban centers.

RURAL RECONSTRUCTION

India is predominantly a rural agricultural country.  There is a vast difference between rural and urban set up.  If we are concerned about the small urban centers, they are obviously the rural in India as the targets for community development. In order to visualize the rural reconstruction programs we need to get the glimpses of its general features. In fact every village is unique.

A typical village has –

1. About 800 families or 3,000 people live as a homogenous community
2. Most men have no permanent jobs. The current official “Below Poverty Line” (BPL) is set at Rs 2,500 (65$) per month per family
3. Family planning is a growing trend now a days
4. About 80% of children attend elementary school (and have their midday meal in the school) After elementary school about 60% of them leave the village or commute for a nearby town for high school
5. Gender discrimination is predominantly compromised as a social norm
6. Caste system distinctly prevails in the village. And people live in caste-clusters practicing their caste functions. The outcaste communities who are called DALITHS live in the outskirts of the village as untouchables
7. Jajmany system prevail in most of the traditional villages
8. Normal village has limited facilities such as safe drinking water, sanitation, transportation etc
9. Housing and live stock are part of every family living together
10. Joint family system exists in most of the villages
11. Traditional unhygienic sanitation practices are compromised in all the villages.

Village Demographics

3-5% of the villagers are large farmers (land lords) with more than half the total farmlands. Almost 60% of the villagers do not own any land. They work in the fields as agricultural labor, during the planting, reseeding and harvest seasons. Rest of the year, they do some labor if there is some work. Otherwise they involve in artisan like stone breaking, bamboo work, and so on. They earn about $ 1.25 per day. Bonded labor is compromised as a relief for the debts of the poor. Women are discriminated and girl child is deprived in many ways against the male child.

Programme models in revitalizing

Hear I only sight few of the programms which contribute to the rural reconstruction in Indian situation. No one is an end in itself. All contribute a bit to the totality. No one is a guarantee for immediate and full conversion.

Predominantly the village forming depends upon monsoon.  One year deprivation of monsoon leads to three year draught and migration. Power pumping system of underground water is possible only for the land lords and intermediary formers.  Storage of rain water through Check dams is the scarce luxury of small formers that too for short period crops. Rain water preservation is the aim in many programs such as check dams.

Check dam in Rajasthan

Food Security: Food security refers to increasing crop yields, protecting harvests, ensuring good and stable prices. One example to reverse this trend and benefit the farmer is in the case of tomatoes, mangos. Instead of simply bringing and selling the tomatoes to the urban markets for less than its transportation or production cost, alternative by products need to be sought such as paste or pulp or powders and so on. Then also problem of transportation and viability arises. Small formers committing suicide for bankruptcy is common every year.

Health and Sanitation: The villager needs mostly basic health and sanitation. When food is available, they eat a hardy meal but meals are not regular and many are malnourished. Villages are usually pollution free but in most villages you will find the domestic sewage flowing in the main street creating a clear invitation to mosquitoes and diseases.. The best way to handle the sewage is to construct a soak pit and gutters.

Most villages do not have any medical clinic, doctor or a nurse. When they need medical help, they usually travel many miles to the nearest health centre or a clinic in another town.

Sewage water in the street

All the villages need to construct a multi-purpose community hall - a small building that can host many services and act as a platform.

Monthly visit of a health worker

Infrastructure:

Village infrastructure starts with roads, water systems, sewage collection, streetlights and so on. The farmer will appreciate the availability of a road to take his crops to the nearest market. Water is usually pumped from the ground water supply. Villagers must pump the water using a hand pump. Even in a village, where the water is pumped up to overhead storage tank and delivered with gravity.  Water is released once a day and in some cases once in two days when big crowds of women galvanize at the water tap in a precarious queue ready for any amount of altercation. Madanapalle has lost its water source permanently. The under ground water belt sank deeper than viability and people have to buy every glass of water.  This is only a sample of many such situations

Power

Most villages are totally dark at night. The villagers go to sleep at sun down. The government indicates a village as being electrified if the main high-tension wire passes though the village on its way to feeding the power for the factories in a large city. Even if power is available in a village, it is intermittent (like in the cities). Alternate non conventional energy resources need to be taped.

                                             Solar street lighting – Odamthurai

Education:

Only a minority of villages have schools and that too usually up to an Elementary school. For higher secondary school, the children have to travel to a nearby town.  General opinion in a village is that 5 year child onwards can contribute to family economy by raring a sheep or a cow or baby sitting or collecting firewood and so on. So sending a child to the school is a big decision on the part of the parents. However by the time child finishes elementary school parents feel the burden of school expenses more over,  they need this grown up child to help them in earning daily bread.  So lot of help and motivation is needed for the parents. In slums and towns private schools compete with heavy fee while the free schools offer perfunctory services to produce big number of drop outs.

Loans and bonded labour

“India is a rich country. Indians are very poor" is a slogan to show the growing disparity between rich and poor. Economic exploitation is the decease that needs to be treated in community development of urban centers.  Money lenders and money borrowers can not leave each other until one looses completely his game. Everyone knows what a loan shark or a ‘pattan’ looks like. He is the one standing next to the factory gate and collecting his interest payments from the employee as soon as he gets a paycheck. The land lord who lends money to the poor often  pave the way for bonded labor for generations, So the Self Help Groups is an emerging model to make a break through.

Self-Help Groups:

Every person, city or a village dweller, needs an income. We need to create an economic activity for the sustenance of the poor in some way or the other. Self Help Groups are playing a great role in saving money. But their role is more than that. Apart from the

Self Help Group in a village

economics the group also builds a cooperative system. They invest their savings in to a bank and take loans from the bank for their income generating programms.

Communication and media

Many villages already have satellite dishes to receive TV programs. But the question is the kind of programms for rural folk addressing to their needs and problems. News Paper is a matter of luxury in many villages even the paper is delayed for more than a day. The village folks can not understand and mean anything when we talk to them about Indian Silicon Valley, Bangalore giving modules to the global network in IT.  What a disparity in knowledge and people!

Government Ministry of rural development

Rural development implies both the economic betterment of people as well as greater social transformation.  In order to provide the rural people with better prospects for economic development, increased participation of people in the rural development programms, decentralization of planning, better enforcement of land reforms and greater access to credit are envisaged.  Initially, main thrust for development was laid on agriculture industry, communication, education, health and allied sectors but later on it was realized that accelerated development can be provided only if governmental efforts are adequately supplemented by direct and indirect involvement of people at the grass root level.  Thus a series of programms are initiated by the Government of India and NGOs are busy in advocacy and awareness programms.

URBAN REVITALISATION

Indian population lives in four stair habitat namely Cities, Towns, Villages and Hamlets. More than half the urban population in India lives in small towns with between 5,000 and 100,000 inhabitants in each. Each one of these centers depend on the other towns for trade and economy. The economic interdependence between urban-based enterprises and rural consumers and between rural producers and urban markets, and the reliance of many households on both rural and urban-based resources are often stronger in and around small and intermediate urban centers, underlining their important potential role in local economic development..

The towns are surrounded by a cluster of villages and hamlets. The life styles of these centers are very different from that of city dwellers.  Let me try to explain their limitations and how they are affected in their process of community development.

Inter dependency of Trade between villages and towns

The urban Centers can provide local markets for agricultural inputs such as machinery implements, fertilizers etc, which are the needs of small-scale farmers. But unless farmers are able to respond to the demands from urban consumers, by using natural resources, credit, labor and inputs, local markets are limited to very low-level transactions in towns. More attention to the role of small and medium-scale local traders as a major source of information and credit for farmers is also necessary, as they often play a vital role but are hampered by lack of transport infrastructure and storage facilities, and are often ignored by policy-makers.

As a matter of community development, the small and micro-enterprises are encouraged, where low-income groups concentrate. But they need access to markets, outside capital sources, basic education and technical knowledge, and institutional support to identify local opportunities and respond to competition from imports.

Slums as centers of immediate concern for urban development

A slum is defined as a compact settlement with a collection of poorly built tenements, mostly of temporary nature, crowded together usually with inadequate sanitary and drinking water facilities in unhygienic conditions. Such an area was considered as “non-notified slum”. If there are more than 20 households then that area is known as Notified Slum” by the respective municipalities, corporations, local bodies or development authorities

According to 2001 censes, the population in 640 registered Cities was 284 millions.  The population in slums of those cities was 43 millions. This constitutes 15 per cent of the total urban population of the country. In these slums 7.4 million (17.4 per cent) of the total slum population belong to the Scheduled Castes and one million (2.4 per cent) to the Scheduled Tribes. Slum dwellers are distributed into four industrial categories namely Cultivators, Agricultural Laborers, Household Industry workers and many other contingent workers

In the seventies and early eighties, the government emphasized the notion of ‘slum free cities’. What this often meant was forced or voluntary resettlement of slums in central cities. However, Very soon the Govt. realized the difficulty that the slum dwellers who were being resettled were not fully integrated in the economies of the cities. Resettling them would have adverse economic consequences.

Secondly, removing slums from central cities and transporting them to new settlements on the outskirts of the city also became a problem because of the distance for the dwellers to their contingent jobs, thus further worsening the welfare of slum dwellers. Madanapale flood rehabilitation took 5 years to compromise. This was like removal of black spots during apartheid in South Africa.  Near Osan, Seochong dong apartment planning is another example.

With this realization, the government started focusing on slum upgradation and slum rehabilitation programs. In the initial years of slum upgrading, the focus was on providing infrastructure to the slums including housing. Once the slum subsides in a vacant unused unhygienic corner of the city, the problems of child labor and social victims such as street children, boded child laborers, child beggars, child labor in bars and restaurants, child sex workers, juvenile delinquents, commercial sex workers domestic child labor and so on will be the invariable consequences.

Political exploitation of urban centers and increase of crime

The urban centers in Indian context such as slums and labor colonies are filled with vulnerable population living in many precarious conditions of poverty, easily become pray to the politicians to buy cheep votes (which commonly happen in India) thus making the slums as cheep political commodity. Different political groups compete on this count, creating dangerous tensions amongst the dwellers even to the extent of fostering the provisions to the   unemployed youth in goondaism and maphia, naxalism, radicalism, Peoples War Group and so on.

Impact of Globalization

Globalization has created opportunities to a few. But to the large majority of the poor people it has not meant anything. Deepening difference between the rich and the poor has been an immediate negative impact in many spheres of our social life. Environmental degradation is another threat of the inevitable process of globalization. We can not stop the flow of globalization but only meddle with its path. “Some claim globalization has tended to perpetuate poverty, widen material inequalities, promote consumerism and unnecessary possessions, increase ecological degradation, sustain militarism, fragment communities, marginalize subordinate groups, create intolerance and deepen crises of democracy.”(Mary Yuen Mee,Yin, “Responses of Christian Churches to Globalisation”, Pub: CCA, 2005, p2-3)

In Indian context, the villages and small urban centers are heavily affected in the process of “development induces displacement”. Urbanization and industrialization add the fuel to fire with regard to rural migration, displaced strange vocations, confused family relations, paying for pollution, increase of crime, substance abuse, alcoholism and so on.  With regard to the agro rural communities Prof.Kim Young Bok was talking to Indian delegates says that the groaning earth and groaning people are an interconnected reality. The earth is robbed by its integrity and sustainability. (Rao,BDP, “Voices of the Voiceless” CSI Pub., Chennai 2002) This is true in Indian case. For example, the chemicals that are injected in massive doses into a centuries old life giving soil for growing commercial crops like cotton seeds in Nossum is not for human sustenance but for narcotics and other chemicals. The leather industry has permanently poisoned vast areas of rice fields in Ranipet with its salty chemicals. The slum dwellers grow short crops like mint and coriander leaves with exhaust water along the DBR factory walls, and supply the greens to cheep restaurants and street venders are only passing on slow poison to the poor.  What could be the remedy for this kinds of permanent damage for life in rural and urban centers is the concern of only a silent buy passer.

Migration

Regional rural–urban migration, especially of the poorest groups, often concentrates in those small and intermediate urban centers where there are employment opportunities. But constraints on access to housing and land can severely limit possibilities for poor migrants to diversify their income sources through subsistence agriculture and home-based income-generating activities.

Migrants move to small and intermediate urban centers rather than to larger cities depends on the income-generating opportunities available locally and on the reasons why migrants move in the first place.

Reasons for migration

1. Expelled from rural areas because of increasing concentration of mechanized commercial farms
2. Natural calamities
3. Draught
4. Development Induced Displacement
5. Industrialization
6. communal strife
7. Sanscrtization

Hoon Seol explains the notion of a 'migration transition’. ( Dong, Hoon Seol, A review of international migration in North East Asia UNESCO-CIMS, 2005 Seoul pp 11-12) The migration transition is seen as a result of 'industrial transition' and 'demographic transition.' At the beginning of the industrialization process there is always an impromptu influx of migrants from rural areas who eventually caught up in social stress and economic crisis in their new roles and work. It is alarming to note the effect of migration on children. Children of migrated parents in urban centers face precarious situations and mal adjustments because of which they are vulnerable to become social victims. Church has a greater responsibility to care for such children particularly of Dalit parents who are mostly the Christian members. "Church needs to awaken to, move away from its conventional approach and open up its corridors to meet the new and emerging needs of the social victims by utilizing the resources, time, and influence of its privileged members (Arun Kumar, Banyan-"Models of ministry for social victims"; Christian Education for social victims, Church of South India 1999. pp 82 - 84)

Commuting population of urban Centers

Many rural residents prefer to commute rather than migrate, as this helps them to retain a foothold in farming. Investments in transport facilities that respond to the needs of low-income groups are likely to increase their options Lack of, or limited access to, health care, education, safe and sufficient water and good quality sanitation are an important part of the multiple deprivations that most poor groups face, if they migrate. These urban commuters are also particularly important in providing rural populations with access to government services, the rule of law and the fulfillment of their civil and political rights.

Role of NGOs in community Development

There are about 20 000 NGOs in 606 districts of India working in various spheres of community development such as -

I.                    Focus on Development : -

1.      Drinking Water

2.      Education

3.      Health

4.      Agriculture

5.      Environment

6.      Conservation of Natural resources

7.      Micro finance for self employment

8.      Family planning and welfare

9.      Care for Differently abled

10.  Housing and sanitation for the poor

11.  Emergency relief in calamities

II.                 The NGOs in all their activities, formulate their goals with the following Key issues.

1.      Human rights

2.      Development induced Displacement

3.      Forest Land Rights and Tribals

4.      Child Rights

5.      Women Empowerment

6.      Right to Information

7.      Right to Food

8.      Panchayathi Raj and democratic values

9.      Communal Peace

10.  Animal  Welfare

11.  Labor Rights

III.               The NGOs mostly cover the following cultural aspects with their short term and long term programmes.

1.      Tribal and Dalit Art and Culture

2.      Cultural and Historical Heritage

3.      Religious harmony and multi-faith context.

Role of the Church in Community Development

As it is commonly understood “the church is the only association that works for its non members” In fact church is always inclusive and open for all people. It always has its concern for the poor and the needy whether they are members or non members. Community organization is inherent in all the church of gatherings. And it is a potential force of human power.  Therefore I think the church is always on the forefront to initiate or support any programme by anybody for the welfare of the poor and the needy paving the way for a peaceful and sustainable human values and dignity. Mary Yuen Mee-Yin, in her book “Responses to Christian churches to Globalization” suggests categorically the paradigms for the church to involve in a coherent and comprehensive approach in  the community development -Advocacy, Campaign and Networking, Charity, Pastoral care and Solidarity with the Marginalized, Education and formation on Social Justice and Sustainable development.

Conclusion:

Indeed the concern in Community development is that people in all circumstances must live in coherence and co operation for corporate edification. Co operation and mutual benefit need to be progressive as a community bypassing the perils of negative competition, exploitation and enculturation. Especially in these days of inevitable flow of globalism the information and knowledge are widening so fast that the agencies of community development really need lot of cautiousness in making their attempts sustainable in the rapid change of situations

I am sure this would provide models to the world for new paradigms in the contextual efforts to build communities with freedom and justice appropriate to its time and place.

Rev.BD.Prasada Rao

EMS Ecumenical Co worker from Church of South India

PCK Dasom Church, Osan

Kyonggi

S.Korea