It has been 12 years since the formation of Solidarity Youth Movement in Kerala. Though still in its infancy – 12 years is just the moulding period for any organisation – the achievements and impact the organisation has made in the social, political and cultural spheres of Kerala is remarkable. Solidarity, which in no means can be compared with its fellow youth organisations in terms of number of members and other physical amenities, has so far vanquished all of them with its involvement in the people struggles and services.
Solidarity stood for Justice and Virtue, against injustice and aggression. During these 12 years the Kerala society, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, has seen, observed and sensed solidarity wherever there was a breach of justice either by the state or by corporate players.
The movement played an influential role in bringing to public attention the grassroots struggle against the Coca-Cola factory at Plachimada, Palakkad. This struggle got international attention as it forced the multinational giant to close its factory at Plachimada. It led the agitation against a proposed Express Highway by the Kerala Government which was perceived as unscientific in a densely populated state and would have led to large scale evacuation. Eventually the government dropped the project owing to public pressure.
Solidarity also lent support to tribal struggles for land reforms to distribute land to the adivasi groups at Chengara, Mukkaal Cent Colony in Kollam district and Elamkulam colony. It played a role in bringing these issues to the attention of the general public and the government of Kerala. It also vehemently opposes the corporatisation of retail sector, fearing that it would seriously impact farmers, traders and the cultural basis of the society.
One unique feature of Solidarity Youth Movement is that it succeeded in presenting an alternative vision for development which had less ecological and demographic consequences. New Kerala Development Forum, organised in 2011, was a comprehensive programme in this regard. National and international experts and academicians presented papers on 14 different topics such as land, education, energy, etc. The programme was widely appreciated for its vision on development.
Solidarity also gets itself involved in humanitarian services, mostly in tribal and backward regions of Kerala. The organisation completed a Rs 5,000,000 project for relief efforts to the victims of the harmful pesticide Endosulphan in villages in Kasargode district, north Kerala. A total of 17 new houses were built and another 17 were repaired as part of the project. More than 100 patients were given regular treatment and 244 families were provided daily food ration. One hundred students were given educational aid; 10 families were supported with employment schemes. Solidarity has also constructed around 500 houses for the poor across Kerala and recently launched an initiative to provide drinking water for 50 villages in Kerala.
SUNRISE KOCHI
At present Solidarity has undertaken yet another ambitious and innovative project aimed at the emancipation of the backward people living in the suburbs of the city of Cochin. Named as SUNRISE KOCHI (Solidarity’s Urban Neighbourhood Rebuilding Initiative for Social Empowerment, Kochi), the project is an attempt to bring to notice of the authorities the neglect, backwardness and underdevelopment of West Kochi which comprises Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Kochangadi, and Palluruthy and to extend the hand of solace and relief to the unfortunate inhabitants of this land living by the shores of Arabian sea and Vembanadu lake.
Solidarity gives first preference in the project to the problems of the landless and the homeless. A majority of the inhabitants are either landless or homeless. They live in small rooms for rent or lease. They are forced to change home every 11 months. Due to the scarcity of space, one, two or even three generations are found to stay in a single room. The education of children is the worst casualty under these circumstances. Men spent most of their time in streets. Solidarity intends to solve this problem by forcing the government to address the issue. For the purpose, organisations of the landless and the homeless will be formed centred around each slum. Steps including judicial process will be taken to ensure that the problems of the members of these organisations are solved. Along with this, as part of the project, houses and huts will be constructed for those without land or house. Efforts in this direction have already begun. Motto is “Your money, our toil a house for the poor”. Six different schemes like Housing colony outside Kochi, Apartment complexes inside Kochi, Co-operative housing, Small huts have been envisioned.
The Quality Improvement Programme visualised by Solidarity is a programme that aims to improve the quality of education of the students and to make them eligible for employment of higher order. The meritorious students of West Kochi from plus two levels will be selected and special coaching will be made available to them to enable the students to achieve professional education. Schemes for financially backward students will be initiated. Special coaching centres to enable the residents of West Kochi to excel in competitive exams like PSC tests will be set up. Awards will be given to those who excel in the educational field to encourage repeat of such feats by others. Training projects including a Library will be built and scholarships provided. Educational programmes to provide jobs and government certifications for the dropouts too have been developed. A learning centre for the girls has already been inaugurated. Efforts to set up a dialysis centre in West Kochi are already underway. An Ambulance Service was inaugurated for service in West Kochi.
The project which is in its final phase once completed will add yet another feather to the cap of Solidarity Youth Movement. Though formed as the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Kerala Zone, the movement has got a wider social base today with workers and members from other communities as well. As its slogan claims, Solidarity has indeed put a revolutionary stamp on the youth of its time. Despite the neglect from the government and bias from the media it lives in the hearts of the masses. This is very well manifest in the words of mother of Udayan, who is an endosulphan victim. Her words to Mathrbhumi weekly, “Udayan is living today only because of Solidarity Workers.”