[ಕನ್ನಡ ಅನುವಾದ ಶೀಘ್ರದಲ್ಲೇ ಬರಲಿದೆ — Kannada translation coming soon]
Does Mysuru need an NGO platform like the one provided by MGP? Bhamy V Shenoy There are more than three million registered Non Government Organizations or Civil Society Organizations in India. It is a well known fact that most are just on paper. Of those active NGOs, it is not easy to find credible, and honest ones who are dedicated to serve the society. Despite these faults of the NGO movement, many cities where there are vibrant NGOs, residents have been benefited. NGOs provide powerful platforms for active participation by the concerned citizens. MGP has been such a platform for those interested to get involved to contribute to Mysore’s development. MGP has completed 31 years. In the light of longevity of NGOs this is no less an achievement. It would be presumptuous to assume that everyone has high opinion of what MGP has been able to accomplish during the past thirty one years. However, in the light of comments, suggestions and opinions by most of the stakeholders of the city, (like the administration, media and the general public), one can easily conclude that MGP has succeeded in establishing a high degree of credibility in the city. Let me give just two examples. While leaving the city after their transfers, the then Deputy Commissioner Sri. Randeep and MCC Commissioner, Jagadish were expressing great appreciation for MGP’s contribution to the city. They were telling some MGP members “how Mysore is fortunate in having an NGO like MGP”. Both were telling that when they first came to the city, they were warned by some of their officers how MGP is a trouble maker. However as they came to know about the contribution of MGP, they changed their opinion.
Even some political leaders when they were not in the ruling party have approached MGP with their inputs to bring changes in Mysuru Master plans. Since MGP has always taken up hundreds of causes to serve Mysoreans without any fear or favour and helped thousands of consumers with their problems, MGP is a well admired institution today. List of civic issues taken up by MGP is a long one. Some of the success stories are: Developing a Smrithi Park around Laxmikanta Temple in Hebbal; developing a Coupon System to eliminate corruption in PDS kerosene; saving Cheluvmba Park when an office/residential building was constructed, saving People’s Park from total extinction, contributing to save lakes in and around Mysore like Kukkarahalli, Lingambudhi ( a scholar has written a PhD thesis on the contribution of MGP to save the lake), Karanji; filing a PIL against Vikrant Tyre company to control burning of high sulphur fuel oil; closing down a polluting company processing old lead batteries; convincing education departments to stop announcing SSLC and PUC rank holders and also to give access to answer papers; preventing the construction of rope way project and Canopy over the steps, plan to widen the road into four lanes in Chamundi Hills; preventing widening of NH212 passing through the city and diverting it to Ring Road. However in some areas its success has been only partial. Large scale building code violations (MGP has exposed several) are rampant, Comprehensive Development Plans continue to serve only the land mafia (MGP has worked with MUDA on most such plans). Spectacular failure of 24X7 water supply and failure to improve revenue collections by Vani Vilas Water Works despite MGP’s constant interaction with VVWW giving expert suggestions. MGP’s PIL in the high court and several protests, Vandalization of iconic Chamundi Hills has taken place. Though timely PIL by MGP saved total extinction of People’s Park, MCC succeeded in constructing the library violating the Park’s Act. In addition MGP has succeeded in creating a platform for retired professionals and groups to contribute their expertise. Some examples are: Late Prof. Ramalingam’s contribution to highlight the
water quality problems (helped the migrants in Eklavya Nagar with potable water when they were supplied with sewage water and two died ), Maj-Gen Sudhir Vombatkere’s contribution to preserve heritage buildings of the city, geologist V Mahesh’s involvement in highlighting the depleting water table in and around Mysuru, retired AGMARK scientist C V Nagaraj’s demonstration of food adulteration (he has conducted more than three thousand), Bapu Satyanarayan’s expertise in road construction helped MCC, PWD engineers to prevent several design blunders, and Prof. Ravi Kumar’s expertise in environment helped in preserving lakes and solid waster handling. MGP supported Mysuru Youth Forum to get involved in cleaning and greening Mysuru and also to attract youths to social sector. When MGP started it sponsored an NGO, Parisara and got involved in massive tree plantation activities and also greening Chamundi Hills. In association with Mysuru’s different NGOs like Wild Mysuru, Bird Watchers, Kukkerhalli Here Ulisi, MGP has brought out a coffee table book, Namma Kukkerhalli. Rotary, Lions, Let us do It are some more VCOs with which MGP has collaborated over the years. Realizing the need to improve governance and fight corruption, some members of MGP sponsored an NGO called Mysore Lok Swaraj Andolana in early 90s. It did a commendable job. Had it continued it could have been a precursor to Mysore’s own aam Admi party to attract honest candidates with professional background. Unfortunately because of internal politics of MLSA members, there were two groups “fighting” against one another. They even went to the court to decide who actually is the legitimate executive members. Finally MLSA got wound up when some key members died. Story of MLSA clearly shows how difficult it is to build and sustain an organization. As MGP completed its silver jubilee and was marching towards digital age to involve young netizens, it faced an unexpected crisis. Like in MLSA, a group of few but committed members wanted to ‘teach’ a lesson to old timers on running a registered society as per society by laws. In 2019 there was an election to elect executive committee (EC) members for the first time and they succeeded in ousting the old but active members. Since then MGP’s activism has more or less come to
an unfortunate end. This was partly because of the pandemic. But the main reason was the fear of new EC that they may violate some by laws. The fact that most EC members did not have much experience of working in social sector in general and consumer movement in particular has added to the problems. Dissenters did succeed, but at what cost? There is no use of finding faults with any one. In the absence of MGP being inactive, Mysuru has lost a vibrant NGO platform to highlight several issues affecting Mysoreans for the present. Let us not allow it to repeat the history of MLSA. Responsibility to strengthen and bring back MGP to its previous glory lies with all the concerned Mysureans specially the IT savvy youths. Let me end this article by owning my own blunder. As a founder member of MGP and also as a management student, I should have anticipated this possibility. All institution as they succeed, there is bound to be dissension because of ego clashes and petty jealousies. Not as a customary gesture, but with all the sincerity, I should thank and appreciate the support given by SOM in the long years of MGP in its service to Mysuru. But for SOM support, MGP would not be what it is today. In the event, SOM’s editor had to face a contempt case in the High Court along with Andloana Editor and two MGP activists. ( For SOM anniversary Feb 5, 2021) Activists Hold Funeral Rituals To Protest Tree Killing