Reimagining the Idea of Inclusive India: a workshop for youth

21-30 June 2023

1. Introduction

Republic of India today stands at a mature juncture of more than 70 years of its democratic history. This maturing however comes along with a growing discontent among the vast majority that continue to feel socially excluded, economically marginalised and politically unnoticed, despite their political assertion. After a brief success of the republic in the early days of independence, there has been a gradual erosion in both the welfare programmes, and that of the constitutional propriety in the governing of this country. The persistence of numerous socio-economic and political difficulties puts a limit to the full realisation of India’s constitutional democracy, and a proactive welfare state. Hence, there is an urgency to not only revisit the brief history of our modern republic that holds together diverse communities and culture, but also to have an extensive understanding of the problems that act as impediments in the constitutional goals of the republic. Most importantly, there is a need to underline the significance of the contributory role that each and every citizen of the republic plays in realising such goals. That the citizens feel included in the republic is the most inviolable ideal imperative for the realisation of their wellbeing.

What do we mean by an ‘inclusive India’? We mean an India for all the people who cohabit this land mass. A land, whereby its citizens feel free,  they are not excluded from the development of the country, and that the country is governed by the principles laid down in our constitution. Whereby people’s social, economic and political rights are ensured and provided by the republic state. These impediments, as mentioned earlier, are the logical outcome of years of disregard to country’s social fault lines which also manifest as modern republic’s democratic contradictions. The idea of an inclusive India then is a polity where everyone is understood, respected and is able to participate and contribute meaningfully. 

How do we realise such inclusivity for our citizenry? What are the institutional, social and political logjams that must be addressed to achieve an inclusive India? These are the questions and objectives that this workshop aims to address.  

We are very conscious that the impediments in this journey are both old and new. For example, the caste question or the problems that emerge from the caste system remains the foremost among our numerous social fault lines. At the same time, the economic models we have adopted, especially over the last three decades have led to new and accelerated  forms of dispossession, inequality, precarity in employment, and environmentally disastrous living spaces, not to speak of the larger destruction of the environment in general. 

It is not that people, people’s movements, and civil society have not recognised these obstacles, or lacked in efforts to overcome these. We have a rich tradition where we have fought for the ideal of a more inclusive India – and we have a fair share of victories too. 

And yet, we cannot stop asking the  question of ‘How can the youth of today play a bigger role towards building a more inclusive India? How can they be more aware, informed and effective, and how can they build stamina for the long haul? 

This 10-day workshop between the 21st-30th June ‘23 at the Sambhaavnaa Institute hopes to continue this journey of questioning, sharing, deliberating and learning with people who not only deeply care about these questions, but are, or wish to be, proactive about it.

2. About the Program

One critical ingredient towards acting effectively for a better future requires a good understanding of our past, and our present. Thus the first part of the program entails revisiting our brief modern history, of becoming better aware of the diverse communities and cultures that comprise our unique country, and understanding of the problems limiting the idea of an inclusive India. Alongside, previous efforts towards realising such inclusivity also need to be critically analysed – to have a better grasp of what has worked and what did not. 

The second ingredient of this program entails a few days with senior activists who have been on this path for a few decades. To know about their journeys, their motivations, their struggles and insights – and also, to know how they see the specific form of their intervention(s) contributing to this multi-dimensional fight. 

3. Tentative outline of the 10-day workshop

Part 1: Understanding independent India’s past and present

Sessions

• Politics in independent India – a brief overview – Moggallan Bharti
• Media, politics and the state of contemporary democracy – Supriya Chotani & Moggallan Bharti
• Understanding caste and communalism in Indian Polity: Prithpal Randhawa and Moggallan Bharti
• Development and its impact on Adivasis: Vasundhra Jairath
• A brief history of culture:  Sohail Hashmi
• Reimagining social inclusivity: Sohail Hashmi
• India’s Economic planning history –  Dipa Sinha  
• Ensuring socio-economic rights for an inclusive India – Employment, Food security and Health: Prof. Dipa Sinha
• Gender & Women’s movement in India: Comrade Jagmati Sangwan

Part 2: Sharing and discussions led by seasoned activists

The tentative list of activists who would spend time with us includes Anjali Bhardwaj, Himanshu Kumar, Jagmati Sangwan, Prashant Bhushan, Ruth Manorma (online), Vijoo Krishnan. 

Methodology:

The workshop deploys a mix of classroom discussions, group exercises, film/documentary screening, songs of resistance, and sharing of lived experiences.

Who is the workshop for:

This program has been conceptualised for young social and political activists, and young scholar-activists. Post-graduate and PhD students are also welcome to apply if the program interests them. Preffered age group is from 22 to 35 years.

Language: This program will be conducted in English and Hindi. Proficiency in both is preferred (An ability to understand both languages well and speak atleast one is essential).

Contribution for the program: We request participants to contribute an amount of Rs. 7500/– towards workshop expenses, inclusive of all onsite workshop costs: boarding, lodging, and all the materials used in the workshop. 

Do not let money be an impediment to your application. Need-based fee waivers are available. We have a limited number of scholarships so please apply for a fee waiver if you really need it. Do remember that there may be others who need it more than you. The fee waivers will be offered to people from marginalized groups and non-funded social, political, or student movements.

Dates:  21^st to 30^th June, 2023

Venue: Sambhaavnaa Institute, Kandbari, Tehsil – Palampur, District – Kangra, PIN 176061, Himachal Pradesh 

Please fill the form below to apply: