CGNet Swara

Objective: To get a perspective of the problems people are facing and offer a lending hand to support their cause.

Participant details: Aaron Mathew and Simone Monteiro, TYBMM Journalism students from St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai.

1) Electricity problem in village

On 4 February 2020, we spoke to the complainant, Guddi Devi, who told us that they are facing this problem since 25 years. She tried speaking to the Sarpanch and the Panchayat to no avail as they refused to meet her or solve the problem. Later when we spoke to the sarpanch, he had a contrasting story. He confirmed that he received the complaint but he said that they had already installed the electric poles and they have had electricity for a few years now. Unfortunately there was a storm recently which knocked off the poles and since then they haven’t had anyone to come up and fix it. The Sarpanch said he tried to the concerned individuals but their budget isn’t sufficient to carry it out.

2) Broken toilets in villages

On 23 March 2020, we spoke to the complainant who informed us that the toilets in her locality have been broken and in an unusable state since five to six months. She also mentioned that the Sarpanch has never come to her village and she doesn’t have any way of contacting him personally. When we asked the Sarpanch about this, he acknowledged and confirmed that what the complainant said is right. But he said that, he didn’t bother to fix it because no one was using it since the time it was installed. Since no one was using the toilets, he didn’t want to unnecessarily spend money over it.

Mode of Communication: Phone Calls and Messages

Impact factor: Due to the corona virus affecting our country drastically, the officials don’t have an update to give us. Although the issue of electricity was solved, with the official in charge, agreeing to look into the matter.

Student takeaway: We live in an environment that protects our views of the world. For us, electricity and toilets are so easily available that we cannot imagine living without it. To hear and understand problems like the ones we adopted was a wake up call in the world we live it. It is our duty to help out those and bring the spotlight on such problems to bring a better options for those living in our country.

Objective: To 'adopt' the daily problems faced by the villagers and tribals living in remote villages of states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and

1. Talk to the complainant and figure out the problem details.

2. Approach/Contact the authorities and officials on behalf of those affected to take action and get the required work done.

3. Make an audio report to go on the CG Net website, submit call logs on the Mobile Satyagraha app for future reference and file a petition of the issue on change.org

Participant details: Gehna Kaur Kapany, Sarah Khalkho TYBMM Journalism students from St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai.

Regarding road repair in Singhanpuri village in Chhatisgarh

After talking to the complainant we were apprised of the situation and the availability of material for the repair. The Sarpanch was shirking from his responsibilities and shifting the blame but over due course of time we managed to convince him to consult his colleagues to come up with a solution.

Unavailability of water in Gangwanaala village in Madhya Pradesh

The complainant told us about a faulty hand pump because of which the residents have to travel 2-3 kms far away to fetch water. We contacted the contractor's number mentioned by the complainant but we were transferred to other contractors. This was a classic case of the blame game as no one was ready to accept that the handpump was left unrepaired. We were told about the handpump near a school which was functioning but any further action can only be taken after the pandemic ends.

Mode of Communication: Through Phone Calls

Impact factor: Our repeated calls did prove useful in persuading the authorities to at least discuss a probable solution. We did get some clarity with respect to answers on the situation and extent of the problem at hand too. Because of the current Covid-19 situation, it is difficult to measure the impact of the exercise as any action required to be taken by the authorities and any work to be done can only happen post lockdown measures are lifted.

Student takeaway: The project gave us the opportunity to apply whatever we have learnt as journalism students in the real world. Studying and working within the cushioned city life, we are rarely exposed to practical, real side of journalism which we got to see through the project. We became aware and sensitised to issues beyond our worldview. Till now we had only read about citizen journalism in theory but this project gave us a chance to apply it in the truest sense. It also challenged us to interact and report in a language we don't usually do on a daily basis and that definitely pushed us out of the comfort zone. The project was a great learning curve where we applied basic elements of journalism and saw measurable impact in the real world.

Problem: To help villagers of Chattisgarh solve their grievances by acting as mediators

Participant details: Johncy Ekka, TYBMM, Journalism student from St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai

The complainant Hemraj Thakur claims for his share of payment for the service he provided. The very first call I made was to 'Thekedar' asking him the reasons for delayed payment. His response was, being a sub head he was not directly involved in the payment process. He did not have a clue about who Hemraj was. It was a case of misunderstanding and no direct contact between the two parties.

The second call I made was to Hemraj asking him if he spoke to 'Thekedar' prior to my call. I did not get a clear answer. I moved on by asking him to directly call Thekedar and tell him who he was and what work he did under them.

The third call was by Hemraj himself saying that he spoke with Thekedar' got things cleared out and would be soon getting his payment.

Mode of Communication: Mobile Phone

Hemraj says after getting the money a lot of his problems will eventually die down. During this pandemic it will help his family to remain safe and healthy. Money is a very sensitive issue which affects his family's emotional as well as physical well-being.

Takeaway: People in the village are well aware of the power play. The ones on the higher end would try to do things according to their comfort, leaving the poor one's to fend for themselves. This leads to resentment from different layers of the society.

We students became the mediator between the two parties. The one's doing any wrong felt the pressure coming and gave in by doing the right thing, helping the villagers in need.

Objective: Help daily wage labourers from a village in Jharkhand get their due payment from the forest department

Participant details: Rachita Dabre, student of TYBMM Journalism, St. Xavier's College Autonomous Mumbai.

I adopted a problem on the CG Net Swara's Mobile Satyagraha app. It was reported by a journalist from Jharkhand who found out that several daily wage labourers were not paid for the work they did for the Jharkhand forest department.

In May 2019, Mr. Dumari along with fellow villagers Chedi Singh, Hukari Singh, Birju Singh, Rohan, and Nukul took up digging work for tree plantation for the Forest Department.

They were promised Rs. 5 for every ditch they dug but we're not paid despite repeated follow-ups with the Forest Range officer.

When I contacted the DFO I was told that the payment was made. But the villagers refused the department's claims.

Mode of communication: I was in contact with the villagers, the DFO and the journalist who reported the problem through phone calls.

Impact factor: As the department repeatedly stated that there were no outstanding payments, I started a Change.org petition for the cause. Since then the petition is being signed by several people. Once the petition receives a substantial number of signatures, it can be used to ask the forest department to treat the matter with priority.

Student takeaway: One of the major takeaways of the entire process was realising how an amount as little as 1000-1800 was so important for those villagers. What really was disturbing that after five months of work they were going to get such small payment and were struggling to get that.

The project taught me patience, as the mobile connections used to be poor, staying in contact and coordinating with the villagers, was very difficult. Even getting basic information from the villagers took a few days.

Yet one other learning was that civil servants are quite approachable. The forest department was in denial but was open to discussions. People in the bureaucracy can be held accountable by the common man.

Objective: To have the authorities build a schoolhouse in the Temru Gram Panchayat, a gram from the Kondagaon district of Chattisgarh. The schoolhouse must comfortably accommodate 27 students and two teachers; students divided into five classes.

Participant details: Rachel Varghese TYBMM Journalism, St. Xavier's College Autonomous Mumbai.

I spoke to the complainant, Mr. Dashru Nureti, thrice. He explained the issue in detail:

● Their local schoolhouse was shut down after it suffered some structural damage in 2010.

● Since then, Mr. Nureti and some other people have been constantly approaching the Panchayat to have it rebuilt. There has been no action until now.

● Right now, Mr. Nureti and his colleague have taken to teaching their 27 students in a cramped hall, five classes being taught simultaneously.

● The hall is not wired for electricity due to lack of funds.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get in touch with any of the authorities (Sarpanch, Block CEO, etc.) as their numbers were either nonexistent, not valid or out of coverage despite several attempt. When asked for alternate contact numbers, Mr. Nureti said that the particular area of the village experiences consistent network difficulties and therefore he had no way to help.

Mode of Communication: Voice Call

Impact factor: CGNet Swara released this article to their readers: http://cgnetswara.org/index.php?id=163906

This is the petition that was put up on change.org: http://chng.it/fzDhFNcS

Student takeaway: This was an incredibly interesting experience, and I would like to commend CGNet for developing such a platform. The villager I spoke to at length, Mr. Nureti, was incredibly polite, well spoken and helpful and took my inexperience with broken Hindi in stride. I hope the numbers on their site get fixed soon so that I or any other volunteer can continue supporting his case.

Objective: To essentially solve those problems of aggrieved villagers to which local authorities have shown indifference or negligence.

Participant details: Mohan R. Raghavan; TYBMM (Journalism); St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.

On speaking to Mr Bablu Rathor from Jaithari, a tehsil in Anuppur district in Madhya Pradesh, I understood several facets of the problem that he posted on Mobile Satyagraha. Bablu, a professional athlete who trains in Bhopal travels back to his hometown frequently. On coming back however he faces certain ordeals that he didn’t sign up for.

He was immensely worried about the garbage that was littered all over his neighbourhood i.e. wards 13-15, Purani Basti, Jaithari. The incompetence in clearing up the garbage was unfair as the market area merely a kilometer away from Bablu’s neighbourhood was well maintained whereas his particular residential area was neglected. Despite several verbal and written complaints in addition to sharing his problem on a dedicated Whatsapp group for such grievances, he was forced to play his hand on Mobile Satyagraha. It must be noted that his complaints were directed to a certain Tiwari, the Nagar Palika CMO. The latter ignored all of Bablu’s messages and calls constantly.

On calling Mr Tiwari during the evening of 24th March 2020, he gave a mixed response to the problem over the course of the separate conversations I had with him over the phone. He blatantly but politely denied that he received any such complaints and sought Bablu to come meet him personally the next morning; as the call progressed his politeness went out of the window and he turned taciturn.

Bablu reached the concerned office on the 25th morning as was asked of him, but Tiwari was nowhere to be seen. Bablu asked for the office staff to inform Tiwari about his empty-handed departure.

However, that very evening Tiwari ensured that the garbage was cleared. The problem has thus been solved.

Mode of Communication: Telephonic conversation and messaging via WhatsApp

Impact factor: In retrospect, the factors that changed the concerned authorities’ negligence to endeavour were the prestige of the educational institution I belong to, the selfless ‘watchdog’ approach carried out by CG Net’s Mobile Satyagraha initiative, and the numerous attempts made by the complainant himself prior posting his grievances on the server – all of which I explained to the local authority via our telephonic conversations.

Student takeaway: Mobile Satyagraha is undoubtedly a commendable initiative unlike any other. One fairly could go as far as calling it ingenious. I say this with conviction because the person willing to adopt a problem can not only attempt to solve a problem but also succeed at it from thousands of miles away. Leveraging telecommunications to allow the common man to function as the fourth pillar of democracy for mere minutes is indeed a tried, tested, and novel means to solve rural India’s daily problems – those which are effectively dismantling a citizen’s right to life. I bring in right to life because rural citizens are in truth being denied of the right to live with human dignity, right to health, right to pollution free health, to name a few, which are guaranteed to them by our constitution. And thus when they vote in hope for the demagogues who contest elections offering false promises, they are double crossed once the hue and cry of the elections are done and dusted. Mobile Satyagraha battles this injustice, but more importantly instils hope that is otherwise left gasping for air.

Objective: To get a perspective of the problems people are facing in the most rural of areas and try to solve them via contacting the responsible people.

Participant details: Venesa Paul and Joel C Lawrance, students from St. Xavier’s College, Autonomous Mumbai.

1) Construction of a bridge across a river connecting a village with better resources- Patraj Markam for Katra Village in Chattisgarh had lodged a complaint which stated that a bridge that is to be constructed over a river has been in hold since a long time. We spoke to the Sarpanch, who in turn guided us to the Collector and Block CEO. We tried their numbers, but to no avail.

2) Shankar Prasad of Hardoha village in Madhya Pradesh complained that he did not get an annual amount of rupees 6000 under Kisan Nidhi Yojana. However, when contacted, he claimed 2000 of the 6000 had come to him and he was waiting for the balance amount.

Mode of communication: Phone calls

Impact factor: In both the cases, the problem was unsolved. However in the second case, some relief is there. For both the problems, petitions were created on Change.org which has a huge impact on a small scale in these areas.

Student takeaway: Living in a very protected and privileged society, we think that such problems are very trivial. When someone calls from a big place like Mumbai, concerned about their problem, it makes a huge difference in the rural world. The people feel as if their problem has been heard. It makes us pop our comfortable bubble and see what we can actually do, with simply a call.

Objective: Communicate with people who have registered complaints on the Mobile Satyagraha app mostly from rural India, to try and solve the issues reported.

Participant details: Anne Tharakan- Jerin Joy- students from St. Xavier’s College, Autonomous Mumbai.

Mode of communication: Contact through phone calls

Impact factor: One issue was solved through direction from the individual who filed the complaint, by following up with the chain of contacts provided by them. The other requires follow up after the nationwide lockdown to ensure implementation.

Student takeaway:

1. Paperwork: Many complaints that deal labour payment issues would require the complainant to go to district offices to sign paperwork which cannot be coordinated remotely.

2. Specificity: problems range across different degrees of severity and involvement of the volunteers, and often are not accurately defined by those registering them. A team to oversee reports and clarify the exact nature of requests may be appreciated.

3. However, the project shed light on the real, day to day problems in rural India and better prepared us to talk to government officials, and showed us how issues are dealt with on the ground level.

Objective: The objective of the program was to cater to the problems submitted by various individuals on the CGNet Swara application. The problems ranged from issues related to ration and infrastructural problems. Our goal was to highlight the problems of the rural people and report it to the local authorities for resolving their issues. We as mass media students got an opportunity to bridge the gap between the individuals and their problems.

Participant details: Guneet Chhabra and Gajraj Singh, 3rd year Journalism students of St. Xaviers College, Mumbai

1. Phoolmati Vaddey has not received ration for 3 months. Narayanpur District, Chattisgarh- 23rd March 2020

Ration and food supplies have not been delivered for 3 months, even though Phoolmati has a ration card. Even after complaining to the village Sarpanch he didn’t solve the problem.

The fact that she possesses a ration card which is a Government approved document subjects her to avail ration in the scheme.

Therefore, to help Phoolmati solve her problem we called the village Sarpanch to raise this issue with him. On calling he didn’t answer any of our calls. Furthermore, we called the Secretary to inform her about the problem she was facing.

The Secretary was not keen in talking to us and evaded the conversation by telling us that she is not aware of any such problem after our rigorous attempts, in trying to help her. We contacted the collector, he ensured us that he will look into the matter and get it resolved as soon as possible. We called him on 24th March 2020 to get feedback about the issue but he didn’t answer.

She has complained to the village head numerous times about the dereliction of the authorities in delivering her ration.

We appealed to the concerned authorities to do the needful and provide the basic ration to Phoolmati to feed her family or else they might suffer from undesired consequences.

2. Incomplete registration for the PM Kissan Samman Nidhi Yojana

Mr. Jaynath Singh, a resident of Anupur District, Madhya Pradesh, was supposed to receive Rs. 6000 as a part of the PM Kissan Samman Nidhi Yojana.

As we approached the problem by Mr. Jaynath, we realised that he himself had made certain attempts to get his registration sorted. In the first call which was made to Mr. Singh, stated that he did submit all the required documents but the Patwari failed to register him for the scheme.

As we proceeded with the problem, we realised that the Patwari was not reachable and our next resort would be the Secretary.

On calling the Secretary, we brought forth the issue and received a positive reply wherein he stated that he would look into the issue, even though he has no clue about the details of the registration process since it was designated to the Patwari.

On another follow up call, the Secretary stated that he has not contacted the Patwari yet but would do so in the coming days.

In the next call, Mr. Singh stated that he still has hope for the due money but the fact that the Patwari is saying that the registration couldn't be completed, still remains true.

Mode of communication: Phone calls

Impact factor: We did everything in our capacity to inform the concerned local authorities about the ration problem. After being ensured by the collector that he will solve the issue, we hope that the ration was delivered. The second problem was taken into account by the Secretary who confirmed to discuss the matter of registration with the Patwari.

Student Takeaway: The right to life and a stable source of food was denied to Phoolmati Vaddey, even though she had the necessary Government identification to avail the food scheme. This is an essential service which is entitled to Phoolmati for her sustenance but the authorities fell short on their execution.

While solving the issue for the scheme registration, we realised that even though the scheme was a beneficial one it's execution and implementation contained many discrepancies.

It was indeed a pleasure for us to be of some help to him.

Objective: Resolve complaints or facilitate progress in a matter by contacting the various parties involved through the CGNet Swara app.

Participant details: Sakshi Shivpuri & Aditi Kulkarni

We contacted the complainants over a period of about a month and attempted to understand the problem faced by them. Following that, we contacted the authorities in charge, the details of whom were provided by the complainants themselves, and kept in touch with them, pushing for action and progress.

Mode of communication: Phone calls

Student takeaway: Through this project we encountered some of the most basic problems that a significant section of the populace faces every day. Much of what constitutes the news today caters to a middle-and-higher-income population. The problems we noted and worked on through the project were never entirely brought to the fore and had escaped us as well.