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About
Us
History
The
socio-economic-political plight of Maldharis was the reason
behind establishment of MARAG. MARAG means path in Gujarati.
The incessant movement of Maldharis with their family and
livestock always reminds us of the path they are moving on.
In late eighties the problem of Maldharis raised some basic
questions for us-
1. Why Maldharis are left out from the mainstream development?
2. Why they are not represented in the groups/alliances promoted
by other NGOs?
3. Why are Maldhari children devoid of education? Who is responsible?
4. Why Child marriage? Why are daughters sold?
5. Why Maldharis do not represent any position in politics?
6. What is the solution to the migration?
7. Why Deep influence of Dharmagurus?
In
the quest of finding an answer to these questions MARAG came
into existence in 1994. In the beginning we carried out extensive
dialogue with the community with a view to understand their
problems so that we can prepare our plan of action. Lack of
education and indebtedness were found to be the two foremost
problems confronting the community.
MARAG
started with a small intervention in few villages of Panchal
region. It was felt that education could bring a big change
in the present situation. A movement to bring education to
each family of the village was initiated. Our efforts spanning
two years paid off with more than 300 children enrolling in
various schools. While working on the issue of education,
we became acutely aware of the fact that present education
system, teaching methods and curriculum combined with an increasing
trend of commercialization and privatization, were all contributing
to growing inequality in the society. We therefore added a
new dimension to the development work by taking up children’s
rights to participation, survival, development and protection.
Presently
we our directly working in more than 134 villages in Surendranagar
and Kutch districts. Our foray into Kutch coincided with the
century’s worst earthquake that devastated the district
in 2001. Our first task was to take up relief and rehabilitation
work on a war footing. Today we are catalyzing a mass movement
for social justice and people’s rights over water, land
and grasslands.
It
was while providing relief and rehabilitation to the earthquake
victims in Kutch; MARAG felt the need to work with other marginalized
groups- the landless and marginal farmers; and not just the
pastoral communities. Today MARAG works for the rights of
the marginalized communities of Gujarat and not just pastoralists.
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