Chapter IVKerala Sastm Sahitya Parishad: Origins and Development Attempts to reorganize human society have been going on for long, but a few chosen leaders decide the fate of the vast majority. There should be a situation in which all the members of the society take part creatively in the running of its affairs. This is a challenge. It is not a challenge before the political leaders alone nor can this challenge be met by scientists alone. Only a politically and scientifically oriented and well-intbrmed society can face this'. As J.D. Bernal has rightly pointed out: The job of using science for human betterment is also primarily political; that is, one that in the last resort must be settled by the people as a whole. But they cannot do it withmt the ~nformationthat only the scientists possess. It is therefore the business of scientists, at least for part of time, to come out of his own speciality and to work together with all other like - minded people in the different walks of life, that is with the profess~onal, manual and domestic workers, to ensure that we g& a society where science can be properly used. But there is no reason why they should not do so, and it 1s here, where organisation links scientists and non sckntists in common effort, that can find their task2. Bemal continues: .. . . It is through science. and only through science, that the transformation of society to one free from explo~tationcan be brought about. Throughout the long reign of class - dominated soc~eties, available technique was never high enough to provide more than' a margin of production over subsistence, which w& appropriated by the ruling class. Now thanks to science, we can make that margin M.P. P-aran, To Bc or Not to Be. Challenge of Tomorrow and Today ", in Yash Pal et.al., (ed), Science in Socrely: Some / ' r r . ~ p c l ~ v e s (New Delhi,n.d), pp.244 - 51 2 J.D.Bemal,Science in H~srov. Vol.4 (New Delh, 1965), pp.1304 - 305. " I Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam as big as we likc, but mlscr! and danger will rcmain the lot of man until science can be freely used, and 1101 d~storted rncan and dcsrructive ends.' for The people's science movement can play an important role in this. The experiments and experiences of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) are worth studying in this context The origins and development of science movements in India can be traced back to the pre-independence era. The scientists like Satyendra Nath Bose had initiated the formation of movements like Banjeeya Vigyan Parishad, Assam Science Society, Bigyan Prachar Samithy (Orissa) and so on. More recently, the 1950s and 1960s witnessed the emergence of numerous voluntary groups around various aspects of the application of science and technotogy in the development process, especially in the rural areas. Even though the professional scientific organizations have, by and large continued to confine themselves to the narrow concerns of their disciplines , a large nknber of individuals , scientists , dissatisfied with their scientif~ practice, have increasingly been drawn to science based social activist poups4 The above stinings have mostly been at the level of groups working at micro regions or around some specific issues. But there are a few instances where science based social activism has developed into mass movements or revealed such a potential. The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) is one such novel example of People's Science Movement Launched as a forum of science writers, four ' Ibid., pp.1309 - 310. 4 T.M.ThomasIssac and B.Bkbal, ,Q~encr for Social H e ~ ~ o l u t ~:o.rhe Fxpnence ofKSSP (T~SSUT, n 1988), pp 1 - 2. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam decades ago, the KSSP now has extended its jurisdiction to the questions of basic Issues related to health, literacy, formal and non-formal education, protection of environment, rural housing, pollution, social forestry, gender, equity etc. The Formative Years We can see three distinct streams of people, social reformers, science writers and Malayalee scientists in Bombay and Bangalore coming together in the formation of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad. The first was the social reformers and activists who saw in science a useful ally in their struggle against the outmoded past As a concept of organized science popularization programme, we can trace the history of the KSSP to Sastra Sahitya Samithi formed in 1957. It was a science literary forum, formed by a group of concerned activists and science writers who had gathered in connection with the traditional arts festival at Ottappalam High School, in the Palakkad District. The Executive Committee of the Sastra Sahitya Samithi was as follows: P.K. Korumaster (President), P.T. Bhaskara Panicker (Vice President) and O.P. Namboothiripad ( ~ e c r e t a r ~ ) ~ . Despite the best intentions, the pioneering attempt proved to be uneventful but for the publication of a book on Modern Science (Adhunika Smfram) in 1958, using the Penguin Science News Series as a model and an unsuccessful attempt to translate Darwin's Origin of Species into ~ a l a y a l a r nThe book Modem Science ~. contained seven articles in Malayalam on different branches of science by P.K. Koru, Dr. S Parameswaran, P.T. Bhaskara Panicker, C.K. Moosath, and P.T.Bhaskard Panicker. Adiyakoiam (Mal.), Unpublished Manuscript, 1982 "id. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam p.2 12.l'azhikakal/uku/ KSSP undated.yodi. Konniyoor R.LA Social Activisnr:Keppnrts and Papers on (he People '.) [ Thiruvananthapurq 1982). a group of science writers.v kience . This was the second stream. Joseph's College. the KSSP at the time of its formation.G. The KSSP was formally inaugurated by the Principal of that college R e v F r Theodocious and the meeting were presided over by Prof C. the chief organizer of the group said: "The problem of science writers are such that they can be solved through organized effortsm8 This reveals that. The membership of the KSSP at that ' Science . % ~ . The present organisation of the KSSP was formed here. Dr.P.Adiyodi and N.V. Adiyodi convened a meeting in Kozhikode. D r K Bhaskaran Nair.108~1 1983 (Thiruvananthapuram.lo~.I. in papers and proceedings o second All India Convention of People's Science Movements held in f Thiruvananthapuram. Vice-President.G.Menon were member^. Narendranath. K.P.I. An executive committee was selected by the participants. In the introductory statement. Parameswaran and C. F&uaq 9.6.3 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . ~ d i "Kemla.(eds. 1984)..S. Sbslra ~ o ~ ).Ad.M CNamboodiripad The main goal of the Sastra Sahitya Samithi to translate science in simple language and make the people endowed with a new world outlook But very little could be done at that time. Devagiri. K.al. with a one day science seminar and a five day exhibition on science and science books at St. Secretary and Treasurer respgctively.. Menon. was more in the nature of a professional organization of science writers. pp. Panickar. Sahiya Prustanum (Mal. Krishna Variyer were President.Vasuet.K. K.G.^ The formal inauguration of the KSSP took place on 10 September 1962 in Kozhikode.2 . "~ostrn Sah~iva Prasranam . I.D. Founder members became otherwise busy and the Samithi ceased to function7 In 4pril 1962. with the initiative of K. p.enrenrs I n d ~ a .S a a Snhitya Parishatlunte lananam" in K. George as members In December 1963.K.K.V. mostly organized in and around Kozhikode.4. They organized symposia on the topics 'science and war'.G. Haldane' at Calicut and on 'soil'.Ekbal. 'Grigor Mendal' and 'J. this restriction was relaxed.2 . Dr.Adiyodi as the secretary of the KSSP and in 1966 the membership was opened to anyone interested in scien~e'~. ~ m a s I s s a cB.1 Santhakumar and DrK.G. Bhaskaran Nair (President) . Bhaskara Panicker. n . the chief organizer of the 1957 Ottappalam group and an active participant of leftist movement in Malabar succeeded K. During 1964-65 the KSSP organized symposia on 'the contributions of I.p 7. - Nazh~kakallukol.S.3. Adiyodi (Secretary).K Nair (Vice-president). 'water' and 'contributions of C V. People from all walks of life were allowed to take 'associate' membership in the organization. Dr.Krishna Wariyer (Treasurer) and Dr.pp. Chacko'. N. a three-night showing of science films was organised with the help of USIS.Ekbal. Dr. and " Sostra Sohityo IJr0stanam '' TMlhOmaS Issac and H. n. In the first annual conference. 9. Dr. ~ .B. P. and their main centre of activity was Kozhikode.C. September and November I963 The annual general body meeting of the KSSP.T. Raman' respectively in April. held on 24 November 1963 in Kozhikode elected a new executive committee. ' o ~ . 4 p. in the beginning the membership was restricted to science writers and intellectuals. 'Nature Protection' and 'food' at ~hiruvanantha~uram" As already noted.S Parameswaran .3 n Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam .time was around 30 all of whom were writers'' The main activities of KSSP for the first two years were organization of symposia and seminars. S. P. The main activists of SSP (M) were MPParameswaran. Unpublished Manuscripf Issac anti Ekbal. n.Malayalam (SSP (M)) at Bombay in January 1966 by a few scientists working at the BARC was a turning point for the KSSP.) (Bombay. a group of Malayalee Scientists in Bornbay had begun to actively consider the possibilities of producing science literature in Malayalam.P. In 1965. p. The group also produced four.The third stream of people who contributed to the formation of the KSSP was the Malayalee Scientists working in various scientific institutions in India. The membership was about a hundred and all were Malayalee scientists. APJayaraman. Similar organizations were formed for other regional languages and they were sought to be co-ordinated through a ' Federation of Indian Languages Science Association ' (FILSA).4.Sesha lyengar.3 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . 1982). k r r i Sf~/ziya ~ Panshad (Mal. T. The SSP (M) Bombay was the most active among these groups. The contact between Bombay scientists and the organizers of the KSSP was the force which led to the formation of SSP (M). Catalysts for the move were a few scientists who had returned from Moscow after completing their studies They were participants in an immense debate among the Indian students in Moscow regarding the social commitment of scientists and contribution that they could make towards the spread of scientific awareness among the people They even drew up schemes for the development of science literature in various regional languages I 3 The formation of Sastra Sahitya Parishad .T. with regular monthly discussion meetings on various science subjects in Malayalam.Remani.Gopalakrishnan and M.books in Malayalam through a publishing firm in ~ o r n b a ~ ' ~ ~ ---- 13 14 MPPardmneswaran. Sasrragathi. No. the first originated at Ottappalam in 1957.. They had the social-consciousness about the relationship between science and people The second group originated at Kozhikode in 1962.8 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . 16 K. M P Parameswaran the chief organizer of the Bombay group finally let? his research career to return to Kerala to participate more actively in the science movement" Another affiliated group was formed in Bangalore in February 1968 It consisted of Malayalee scientists who were working in various departments of the Indian Institute of Scietice.X .K. A few months later.).25.l6 Among these three distinct streams of people. a similar group was organized in Calcutta consisting mostly of scientists worlung in the Botanical Survey of lndia and Zoological Survey of 1ndia. no one challenged the needs for research in frontier areas and building up of indigenous technological capability. the neglect of problems that weighed down in the present appalled them. Though. Bangalore. Many of them worked in the Department of Atomic Energy which together with Departments of Space and Defence cornered most of the research funds. Some had even started to move towards critique of the directions in which their own advanced research was moving.7 . had the capacity to produce science literature in Malayalam. They were the scholars who had very good knowledge in - ~~~ -- IS Ibid. p. was the group which had more public contact. "Banglorile SasUa Sahitya Sammelanam" (Md. pp.Some of the members of the SSP (M) Bombay were beginning to question the relevance of their scientific practice which they found to have very little relation to the genuine and pressing needs of the common man.Rahulan. 1972. which included representatives from the Bombay Group. 1. The editorial note emphasized not the problems of science writers but of the urgent need to create a scientific outlook among the people: 'It is not enough that people study science.stragathi (The Trend of Science). they had no special motives in their doings The Bombay scientists were conscious about the science subjects and the need for the production of science literature in regional languages. The journal was a small contribution towards the preparation of such a revolution. The conference. 1988). "Janakeeya Sastrom-Karchappadum Karma Paripadiyun" (Mal. considered and adopted a constitution envisaging the KSSP a complete mass movement.e of the scientific revolution. 18 "Pathradhipakuripu". Making o f a Movement In 1967. along with the 4'h Annual Conference at Trissur. Namboodiripad.Bhaskara Panicker and M.C. The KSSP's attempt to persuade the leading publishing houses of Kerala to start a separate science journal in the state had failed it was !his circumstance which compelled the organization to launch a science journal of its own The first issue came out in October 1966 under the editorial board of N V. Membership of the KSSP was ~ - I7 KSSP. 8-9. But. But they had no public contact' ' The 3rd . P. p.T.Krishna Wariyer.4. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . but they must live accordingly"~evelopment of broad scientific outlook in the society and belief in scientific methodolog$ were claimed to be the essenc. S ~ n g u t / ~ i .) (Calicut.science subjects and Malayalarn language.Annual Conference of the KSSP at Olavakkodu had decided to start a quarterly Sa. No. 1966. the KSSP was recognized on an entirely different footing. pp. the KSSP was growing into a real mass movement. 1860'"t 1 noted that the SSP(M) Bombay adopted a s constitution of their own and was registered in 1966 itself From 1967. The 4" Annual Conference also discussed the problem of technical terms in Malayalam. Its message has reached the sophisticated city college and the rustic village library alike.Ekbal. n. In this annual conference two symposia were organized The first on 'Science Literature in Malayalam' and the second on 'Science Education'. It is noted that . ~ ~ Production of science literature in their mother tongue was a common interest and concern of all the three groups formed at Ottappalam. ~ . pp. M.3-6. ~ . give awards to good science literature.~~ 19 "Sastra Sahitya Prasfanam . The public meeting was presided over by Prof. and organizes symposia and science exhibitions in every district -and taluk headquarters and to develop technical terms in Malayalam In 1967 the Sastragathi started publication from Kozhikode The 5'" Annual Conference of the KSSP was held at Thimvananthapuram in 1968.Parameswaran submitted a paper on this The conference took decisions to publish science books. It attracted the intellectual and the laymen alike into its folds. ~ n beg~nningthe KSSP had only limited objectives the Even in this limited sphere there was an element of novelty as well as a challenge --. ~ a m b o o d i r i ~ a d . Kozhikode and Bombay. n.9. Joseph Mundasseny and it was inaugurated by ~ . Issac and . p.open to any person who believed in the great role science has to play in the moulding of our lives 111 July 1968.9.4. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . the KSSP was registered under the Charitable Societies Act XXI.P.Irmhikakaliuk~~l.-~ . Scm~amoorthy. This demand for importance of Indian languages is related to the national liberation movement and the struggle against 'feudalism. symbolizing the importance of learning. it was only echoing this fit necessity of society2' In 1971.S. the battle cry against this .-tongue.Balagopa1. a lecturer at Regional Engineering College. They were demanding that science be handled through one's own mother. the language of knowledge and of science was Sanskr~t.6-7~ Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . with the British conquest this was replaced by English and However. were raising. In it one can notice the reverberations of a challenging society. The science writers. The leaders of the freedom movement were arguing for linguistic provinces even as early as the thirties. and a representation of the atom overhead. gazing up at the unknown horizon. ~ozhikode: depicts a human being.to tradition. the multiplicity of language in the country led to the continuation of English as the medium of instruction and administration even after the British.ittitude. When the KSSP demanded that science should be handled through the medium of lndian langdages. It whose feet are firmly placed on earth.62 ils Social Activisni. 1994).Science for Social revolution? Achrevements and Dilemmas ?fa Developnrent hfo1~1. He or She has a book in hand. who initwally organized the KSSP.nren1The Kerala Sastro Sohilya Parishad (New Delhi.7 pp. In the predominantly feudal set up of our ancient society. n. the KSSP adopted an emblem designed by T. symbolizing the power of science and its potential to be used for either good or evilz2 - " Science " Mathew Zachnah and R. in a sense. I p. Centre for Development Studies (Trivandmm. vernacular schools had continued to flourish and played a very important role in Kerala's educational system even during the British period A text book committee was instituted in 1867 in Travancore which signaled the beginning of a period of systematic efforts for the production of standard text books and standardization of technical terms and The numerous journals and newspapers. pp. the trade unions can do a lot But they are not so active in this. and was utilized to strengthen their privileges and made the basis of perpetuation of their control. through development of myths . There are two factors contributing to this change: one. two. ' 5 P. p.Vale .K. " 0. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . "The abstract knowledge.G. It must be pointed out that saence literature in Malayalam was relatively better developed than that in most of the other Indian regional languages The most important contributing factor in this was the higher level of literacy in Kerala and the wide-sprd network of schools More importantly. Working P u p r no L90. Kerala Sastro Suhitya Parishad : Innale.MichaelTbamkq "Socio -.V.Society andKnowlerlge 24 (London. innu. And the KSSP is engaged in teaching the people science and social lawsz4. 1984).Econornrc Factors in Educational Development : Case of 19" Century Travanwre" . the participation in production activities and the consciousness attaining through this participation. The first will be given from the science teachings and the second through the experience tiom job Here. 1982). some of them usages in ~ a l a ~ a l a m ~ ~ .Childe. 1956). KSSP 2 0 Annual Conference Souvenir ~ (Calicut. gave them control over illiterate farmers.To Childe.6. which its keepers possessed. . knowledge about the social and natural laws. performance of rituals and other such practices"23. 24-25. Speaking everything in English and that too. The emphasis of the 2" five year plan in the development of modem industry and application of science and technology as well as the declaration of the National Science Policy in 1958 also contributed to the urge to study and teach science. one of the founding members of the KSSP and an office bearer in the initial years. that exert such great influence on the development of mankind. the movement for the creation of a United Kerala began to gain momentum Demands were made that Malayalam be made the medium of Instruction artd language of government.. science literature in ~ a l a ~ a l a The idiom was evidently borrowed from the five year plan inaugurated in 1951. also contributed in a s~gnificant way to the development of scientific literature Since independence.Knslna Waniec.V. In 1962. Malaysia Sahithyathinte Abhivrudhikkom kchavatsard Padhathi" in Pariprekshyont (Ual. pp. The problem of technical words was often an insurmountable problem to those N.. '. NVKrishna Warrier.. the secretary of the KSSP wrote. ' 6 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . there was hardly any progress of science literature in various Indian languages. 1980). these experts themselves or some other people have to shoulder responsibility of explaining them to the common man in a language that he can understand. we are living in an age of science . Because of the step motherly attitude towards the 'native languages' during the period of British mle. was the fashion then. in the most obscure English.dealing extens~vely wlth non-fiction literature.)(Katavarn.48-60. argued for a programme of five year plans for the development of m~~. should not remain as the family property of certain experts. Discussions took place in the Samasta Kerala Sahitya Parishad regarding the steps to be taken for the development of technical and science literature in Malayalam. The general laws of science and the discoveries of science. Either. .G. Consequently.one God for man'.Ayyappan and T. who preached the sutra 'one caste. i. who dared to write in the regional languages.e.K. From later decades of the last century Kerala witnessed the emergence of numerous social reform movements.Adiyodi.)(Ottap&m~. The task before the science writers in Malayalam as well as in other regional languages to convey the message of the new language to the hearts of the people in a style they can easily understand '' There was yet another related and equally important tradition that the participants in the new science groups were carrying forward. especially to those movements among the lower castes. Some of his radical followers like K. This is especially true of the social reform movement initiated by Sree Narayana Guru. On the other hand. the struggle to change the social and polittcal determinants of their lower status in the traditional society These efforts inevitably conflicted with the key elements of caste domination in the traditional social structure. p. There was also another dimension to these movements.few patriots. the awareness of the people of our country lagged behind that of others. 1962). Only regional languages can enter into a dialogue with the heart of the common man. Madhavan transformed the sutra into an equally influential ~~~ 2' K. All of them attempted to reform the outmoded social customs and rituals within their respective castes and communities. often leading to ideological positions that had high elements of bourgeois radicalism. Modem science had been used by the social reformers and activists in Kerala as a weapon in their struggle against superstitions and feudal culture. "Sam SahithyakamunarkuOIUSanghatana". Sasira Snhifya Parishad Ulghadana Smarakam (Mal.9 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam .. the conservative local 'sastries' insisted that we have a science created by the great sages of the past that cannot contain any mistakes. one religion. 29 K. 115-16 "kessage to S i e r Jubilee Scssion. Science is the driving force behind agriculture. ( T h i r u v a n a n l h ~ 1985).ennye thamns. Jawaharlal N e w s strongest interest in science is well known Science is the splnt of the age and the dominating factor of the modem world. of vast resources running to waste of a rich country inhabited by s t m n g peaplc"' *' T.al.Ayyappan.lnnu thozhunnu Njan. No religion.n. since we cannot exhaust the infinite.). It was science alone that would solve these problems of hunger and p e r t ) : ? of insanitation and illiteracy. Society and Gwernrnent and Politlcs .se1lam Science . driving out darkness and its high priests and religions.) (Kottayam. p I83 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . p. of superstition and deadening custom and tradition.Miclme1nmakan" Sree Narayana Mwcments in Travancorc 18881939: A Study of Social &is and Ideological Reproduction". science urges man to seek constantly Scienceal t)eepthunrrelokam Science-al abhivncthikal Science .Some Remarks on the Ideas of Jawaharlal Nehm" inYashPal et.Rationalist and atheist ideas began to spread.K. Even more than the present.1.slogan 'No caste. Calcutta 1938 cited by Obaid Siddiqui. C.. .." Science lights up the world Science is the progress of the world Everything else but science is darkness Oh1 Science I bow before you.(eds.with which the social activists of his genre had embraced science. "Science. Science is exhalted as the only means of knowing truth and the secrets of natural phenomena.214. however much we may know. 2 i .M. 1981). industry and trade of the natlon Rut. Modern science was an important element of these new movements The verses of K Avyappan on science may be considered as one of the best expressions of the fervuul. the fimre belongs to science and to those who make fnends with science. Working Paper no.Thomas lssac and P.. Science is hailed as the greatest liberator. Yo God for manqzx.D. Science Congress. "Science Dasakam' in Sohodorante Padvakrithikal (Mal.S. but also towards other languages. took place. The formation of the KSSP coincides with this period'2.10 million for the development and production of text books for teaching at the University level3?. Dr.Namboodiripad. During 1967. All these factors have made it conducive for the emergence and growth of a Science Movement in the state3' In the all India context.. this amount was utilized to set up a State Institute of . Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam .S. On the initiative of E. n. p. more and more people were willing to listen to it. Each state was given Rs. The link between science and technology and economic development was being stressed. the then Chief Minister of Kerala. KSSP. Science was becoming important. another event. Ibid.p.Triguna Sen became the Education Minister at the centre.M.7. The inauguration of planning with five year plans led to the establishment of scores of scientific and technical institutions throughout the country.8. but also in all other languages. and for the first time it was recognized that the central government had responsibilities not only towards Hindi. both by politicians and experts. changes in the economy and society were taking place especially after 1947 Capitalism and industrialization were growing at a faster pace. These movements were further strengthened by the peasant struggles in Malabar and the growth of a strong radical political movement throughout Kerala.The Library Movement and Teacher's Movement in the 1940's reinforced and spread the importance of education in social reforms. I1 33 '' Ibid. wliich was to become a turning point in the development of sciegtific literature not only in Malayalam.7. the KSSP Game into existence as a necessity of the times. 5htrgathc was converted into a biomonthly and finally in 1974. Vijnana Sabdavali and Mamika Sabdm. a. .16. Symposia and Workshops were organized under the e .M. The first publications of the Language Institute. In the initial phase of its existence.ln. Sastrakralam. to stabilize the language institute and put it far ahead of all other similar institutions in the country and enabled the KSSP on the other hand. ~ joint auspices of the KSSP and the State Institute of ~ a n ~ u aA~ number ~of workshops were conducted to translate books from English to Malayalam. The publication of these two magazines and the joint activities with the State Institute of Language resulted in increased contact with the sphere of formal educution. p.P. 34 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . The readership of Sasfrugathi consisted of the KSSP members ~ ~~ ~~ bid. followed by a third one called Eureka in 1970 for the age group 8-12. pp.Languages in Thiruvananthapuram. monthly journal. Thus.Kerolr? Sastra Sahilya Parishrzd .A Movemmrfor Mnss Education ~ a n a n t h a p m t m 1984) (m~meo).ali were largely the result of the work done by the KSSP during 1967-64.Parameswar. The KSSP began the publication of its second monthly. to spread in different parts of the state. in 1969 for the age group 12. a concentration of the KSSP activists at Thiruvananthapuram in addition to Kozhikodu.8-9. 16. a period of collaborative activity of the KSSP and State Institute of Languages This helped on the one hand. The institute was set up with personnel recruited mainly from the KSSP This had two consequences: firstly. Several dozens of Seminars. the KSSP was only a loosely knit grouping and by the end of the first decade. and secondly. this group evolved into a well-defined organization.. 3 August 2001. The KSSP launched the first agitational campaign for making Malayalam ~ the medium of instruction in October 1 9 7 ~ 'The demonstration before the Senate of Kerala University and the mass memorandum submitted to the government on '' V.5+. 19 (1971). Sastragcathi. "Malayda Sasim Sahityathunte Purogathiyil ON Nazhhkallu". Sastragathi.:a. The period between 1967 and 1977 witnessed the growth of the KSSP into a mass movement. An annotated bibliography of science articles and an introduction to science witers in Malayalam was prepared'7. 10.. p. More and more school and college teachers began to join the activities of KSSP. No. BhasbWu Venti Laksham Oppum Octobaril Oru Jathayum". the urgent need to overcome them and the broad guidelines for such a programme of action. organizational structure and style of functioning evolved during this period. Science in MdayaYam is an important slogan of the KSSP. Indian languages.K. " Mani.000 words in Malayalam. The main theme of discussion of the 4' Annual Conference was the ' Problems of the Technical The discussions centred on the technical backwardness of Words i n ~ a l s ~ a l a m ' ~ ~ . M.4 (1%8).p. e w with Prof. All the basic contours of' the present day activities.71-89. Sa.44 ~ (1973.Damodanu&" ~ N o k k u m p o l "Sastragathi.cience wr~tingi n Malayalam. The conference even set up a time bound programme for preparation of a technical glossary o f 50.~lragathi introduced around 50 new writers in first five years of its existence" . . " A n o ''Bharat. Changanacheny.7.and the general public above the school age. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . No. p.G Gopalakrishnan. pp. They became the training alone could boast of having ground for a new group of young writers. W issac and Ekbd. n4. The KSSP journals developed a unique style of popular !. No. Scientific. 39 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . Technical and Educational Publishing Cooperative Society (STEPS). "Kodunganupole Munnottu". As STEPS proved to be more conservative and cautious than the parent organization in taking financial risks the two had to get separated in the year 197740. A few books were published by the KSSP during this period Science IYliX. 12. the KSSP on its own announced the pre-publication of a gift box of 10 children's books as its New Year presentation to school children By the early 1970s. I'ur~chaya Kosham (introducing science writers in Malayalam) and a comprehensive bibliography on science books were published in Malayalam. pp. Another major intervention was the campaign launched in 1973 to activise science clubs in schools Within two years.?(1%9). more than 1500 school science clubs were formed In the year 1974. In the year 1971.No. the activists in Trissur took the initiative to organize a science talent test for primary school children and the - ~~ .-- Anon. 'Sastra Keralam Quiz' was started for high school students. p.this was perhaps the first open attack of the KSSP regarding government policies This was at the time when the KSSP was collaborating with the State Institute of Languages of the government in many ways ' 9 'The KSSP entered into the field of book publication in 1968.Srr~aranikn I976 (1976). the involvement of the KSSP in non-curricular activities in school became more widespread In 1972.In the same year. Scier~ce 1969.Language Instituunteyum Parishathintqunl S..11'3-1 5 40 MPParameuarao. the KSSP workers formed a separate society . '.mmykthabhimukhyathilSymposiunl". . Sasfrugafhi. Next year.200 classes were held". "Public Health and "Agriculture in eral la"^^.4. to a public ground where a senior professor gave a long speech on Chemistry. n. to initiate a mass education programme around a specific theme The KSSP responded to the call of 'Bharatiya Vijnan Patrika Samithi' to observe the I" week of January as 'Science Week' . " Issac and Ekbal. '' KSSP.7. n. In the year 1977.success of this prompted the KSSP to initiate the ' Eureka Science Talent Test' on a state wide scale4' A conscious attempt was made in 1972. the KSSP launched the experiment of Sastra Kala Jatha. Science and Society" in January 1976 In 1977. The lecture campaign bedame an important continuing education programme of the KSSP and it revealed the organizational maturity of the KSSP An Important innovation in the mass contact programme of the KSSP was the Sastra Jatha (Science Procession) In 1971-72. aRer the 8" Annual Conference at Ernakulam the delegates went in a procession shouting slogans on science. p. Perhaps this was the first science jatha in the state. 13. More than 1. The success encouraged the KSSP to organize yet another mass lecture campaign on a similar theme. one day car jathas were planned to converge at the venue of the annual conference at Thiruvalla. p. LO. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . n. "Nature. The jatha consisted of a group of science activists who toured the length of Kerala for 37 days giving lectures at 900 places and contacted millions of people and sold thousands of " Issac and Ekbal. p. lectures were organized on two themes.I000 lectures on "Evolution of the Universe" and "Man and Society" were planned from I" to 71h January 1972. 14.4. monitoring and evaluation of village level development activities etc. Majority of the rural science forums formed at the first rush of enthusiasm generated by the public lecture campaigns and science jathas and the romantic fervours with which many KSSP activists had plunged into the rural reality. participatory research into village resources and problems. pp. These performances became the hallmark of the later Sastra Kala Jatha The jatha became a regular annual programme between October 2"d. 16 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . they were reorganized as affiliated bodies of the KSSP to work under the general guidelines and direction of the KSSP A number of state level coordinated programmes such as state level rural 44 4s KSSP 1x25. The proposals for the formation of Rural Science Forum were concretized at a special cadre carnp at Peechi. were suggested By 1978.pamphlets44 Street theame. n. But the rural science forums did not develop as had been envisioned. never developed into self-reliant local level people's planning development agencies. p. 15 " bid. An activity spectrum that included various cultural activities. This was espec~ally case wherever the partic~pationof the KSSP activists in the fora the was low In a bid to activise the rural science fora. the Gandhi Jayanti day. around 600 rural Science fora had come into beinga. and November 7~ the birth day of aman^^. an^^.. folk dance and music were skillfully used for science communication. The formation of rural science fora was another conscious effort to link the KSSP's activities to the village where the majority of the people live.48-49. Rural Science Fora were intended to provide an opportunity for villagers to take part in non-formal bodies for local planning. p. Issac and Ekbal.4. the KSSP had evolved into a mass conscientisation movement. 500 in 1969 and 2600 in 1976 to 45. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . sympathizers. From an organisation of science writers primarily concerned with technical problems of scientific literary production. printing and such other trades were conducted in various centres under the auspices of the START^^.science forum camps rural padayafras (1981). Short courses on various technical subjects like electrical wiring. The School for Technicians and Artisans (START) was another activity initiated to help self-made technicians and artisans in the rural areas and in the urban informal sector. The expansion in the sphere of activity of the KSSP has transformed the nature of the organisation. were planned Hut in practice it was found that rural science fora were not capable of tackling microlevel development problems. Along with the increase in membership a qualitative change also took place in its composition. Similarly lecture campaigns and science jathas led to a rapid increase in membership and . taking up a wide range of issues of and reaching out to millior~s people spread all over Kerala. The transformation of the rural science forums into KSSP units made the KSSP a genuinely all Kerala organization with units and members quite evenly spread in the mral and urban areas. village surveys (1983) etc. automobile repairing. There was a remarkable increase in membership from 122 in 1967.051 by 2001. utilizing a variety of media-such as printed and spoken words and the visual arts. The bulk of the new members are school teachers and educated youth. The new activities in turn brought in new activists. In the previous year it was 16 7%. political activists. teachers out number any other &egoni4'. Kerala L%. Central Executive Committee. of eighteen can join the KSSP as an ordinary member. nurses. age. the membership of the KSSP wasopened to anyone interested in science. By 1966. and completed the.3-5. pp. The organizations of similar . objectives can join the KSSP as 'member organizations' by remitting a fee. scientists. social activists and so on The predominant group is that of unemployed educated youth. technicians. Their applications should be addressed to the Treasurer.. agricultural workers. nma '"KSSP. Every section of the society contributes to the work of the KSSP. teachers. i i Y " ~ fkporll(2002). 2 i l n ~ ~ r m e n r .ienr. ZOOl).~rro Sohiryo f'nrishorl . . (n. It members come from all walks of life. the next being teachers. as directed by the central executive committee. constituting 20 % of the total. lawyers.024) and the lowesi from Kasaragode (138)~'. Among the leadership. Application for membership should '' KSSP. doctors. pampiilet). students. There are two types of memberships.I ~ ~ S ~ .. administrators. p.000 members in 1477 units.8.d Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . peasants. The h~ghestnumber of women is drawn from Thiruvananthapuram (9. Hhuranaghudana (The Conslitntion of KSSP. all of them working on a voluntary basis The membership of women is 9024. The second is life membership: anyone who has the qualifications of an ordinary member remitting the life membership fee can join the KSSP as a life member liable t o the recognition of the Central Executive ~ o m m i t t e e ' ~At present there are 104 life members. p. 12. e~igineers. First is ordinary membership: anyone who is interested in the ideals of the KSSP ready to act liable to the constitution of the KSSP.Membership a n d Organizatio~~al Setup The KSSP has more than 15. f'eople k !ii. the unit secretaries and members of regional committees constitute the regional council". there are the regional councils and regional committees The members to the regional council are elected by the members of the units on a proportional basis. to the secretary of the regional committee through the unit5' I h e KSSP has a four tier structure Units hnctioning at the village level in area of 10-20 sq km. regional committees catering to about 10-30 units. General Secretary. Vice-Presidents. Treasurer. The KSSP is a member of All India People's Science Network (AIPSN). They are elected by the regional councils on a proportional basis as decided by the District Executive Committee Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . Elections are held every year. it will recognize the unit and inform the Central Executive Committee. the district executive committee is satisfied with the working of this If unit. No one holds office for more than two terms. along with the application. At the base are t h e u n i t s Ten or more members can organize a unit tempora~ily.and Secretaries are the office bearers.be in prescribed form which is available from all units and the General Secretary Any orlc who fulfills ihe eligibil~ty conditions can join the KSSP h y remitting the membership fee and admission fee. Members of the district council are elected by the regional councils and the number of them should not exceed 200. Along with them. 14 district committees and a state committee. The maximum membership is 100. Every member is included in any one of the unitss2 Above the unit level. President. District Executive Committee members. who presides the meeting should be one who is directed by the District Executive Committee. Vice president. The former and existing regional presidents. Before the General Council meeting. who are directly accountable the regional council. Joint secretary and three members. the unit General body meeting should be conducted and the unit executive committee should be elected. the existing presidents and secretaries. in the election PI-ocedure. The unit executive committee includes President. The Regional Executive Committee consists of the President. Treasurer and seven members elected by the regional council. secretaries. and central internal auditors form the General CouncilSS. Vice President. Secretary. and the members of the Central Executive Committee. Secretary. There are two internal auditors. Along with them. he should be unit is included in the reg~onal invited to the unit executive committee meetings. It should be informed to the super stnictures. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . These members are elected by the District councils on the proportional basis as decided by the Central Executive Committee occasionally. the members of the Central Executive Committee.the person. who are belonging to the same district are also included in the District councilS4 The whole powers and responsibilities of the KSSP are vested in the General Council The number members elected to the General Council should not be exceeded 300. Joint Secretary.occasionally. If any member of the district! centraliExecutive committees. General Secretary. The District Executive Committee is a link between regional unit executive committees and the Central Executive committee. Secretary. Treasurer. In the meeting for the election of the committee. The District council should also elect two internal auditors. regional secretaries and central executive committee members who are belonging to the same district are included in the District Executive Committee. Joint Secretary. 3 Secretaries. two VicePresidents. Treasurer. The tenure of the executive committee is one year. Managing editors of monthlies and the immediate former President and General Secretary. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . Editors of monthlies. the person who is nominated by the Central Executive Committee should preside. members not exceeding tburteen in number. They are elected by the General Council. The members of the Central Executive Committee are: President.The regional Executive Committee should co-ordinate the work of the units and give directions to them. The total number of members is fifty nine. The Regional Committee should lead the works of the KSSP on their own region as directed by the District Executive Committee. They co-ordinate the work of the units and regional wnciYs and give leadership to the'works of the KSSP on revenue district basiss6.The President. who are directly responsible to the district council. The Unit Executive Committee is responsible for the whole working of the unit. District Secretaries. Vice-president. The General council should elect two internal Auditors from among themselves. He presides over the meetings of Central Executive Committee and General Council. The Secretaries should help the Secretary in his duties and take charge of the programmes given by the General ~ e c r e t a r ~ ~. who are directly responsible to them. which are not dealt with the unit. looks over the activities of sub-committees and convenes the meetings Treasurer. and collection of fund.Central Executive Committee can formulate sub-committees to help them. The Central Executive Committee deals with the publishing. communication with the organizations of similar attitude in other languages etc.' . Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . This committee decides over the policy matters and selling and buying of properties. makes bank accounts and keeping the membership register. The Vice-President has to help the President in his duties and take the chafge of President in his absence. runs the day to day activities. The President of the KSSP is responsible for all the actions of the KSSP related to the Central Executive Committee. co-operative programmes with governments. who keeps the income-expenditure records. The General Secretary leads the organizational actions. regional and district basis. correspondence with governments. He is elected by the General Council. The tenure of the members of the Central Executive Committee is one year The Central Executive Committee is responsible to the activities of the KSSP. ~hop Science. Technology and Environment Committee.7. The books are sold by the activists as a campaign.Mobilization of Resource For regular activ~ties.qvH. giving something in return for something. August 23* 1996). school to school. Electronic Bhavan. about 2 million in all.Pamneswaran. the KSSP depends upon personal contribution (contribution of money and time) of its members and upon book publication. T3 quote M P. I . 59 o/ Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam .7. institution to institution. p.P. "People':r Science Movement". on 1987). funds are received separately The main sources of such h n d s are: (i) Department of Science and Technology. ildministrative Director. Sonic will get reflected in the District accounts. Government of India (ii) Science. Bulk of these will not get reflected in the state accounts. p. But the actuals will be several tlmes of thisi9. To quote M P Parameswaran. 58 M. Paper presented at the 17&Inter Disciplinarz. P m a r a n . New Ilelhi (iv) Ministry of Human Resources Development. Often local activities are organized making use of donation in kind and cash. Research blethodoli~.about 40% of the face value that becomes airallable for various activities. Major resource come from the publication and sale of books.Parameswaran again: the only rcgular source of fund is membership fee. M . 'nobody should feel that he is making a 'sacrifice' for the cause In reality there is nothing which can be called sacrifice It is only exchange.Profile the activltres of KSSP sent to MsKerstin Bennett. It's their labour expressed in terms of 'distribution cost'. R s l O per year divided among the levels of the organization. Stockholm. P . Only if members enjoy doing work they Funds are raised up as and when activities are to be taken can be good activ~sts"'~ place.i>rk. Right Livelrhood. Society ond techno log^ Transformation (Hyderabad. Government of Kerala (iii) Rural Electronics Division. Sweden (Trissur. For the Integrated Rural Technology Centre and for various projects.tvrrd Foundation. They movc from house to house. reduced the aid. when a large number of organizations in India that works for the empowerment of people and the improvement of socioeconomic conditions for poor and powerless are dependent on grants and loans provided by agencies &om abroad. in effect to Rs.251akh. there are sufficient financial resources within India to support development efforts. As Mathew Zachariah and Sooryamoorthy have rightly pointed out. First. the State Government reduced its grant-in-aid to Rs. 62 '' IRTCAnn~oIReport2001-02 . Zachanah and Sooryamowthy.23.8. ~ ' The KSSP does not receive any regular grant from any one and no form of monetary help from any foreign hnding agency. Government of india6" The core support tiom DST. the KSSP opposes such loans and grants on two grounds. Research projects hnded by Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development of the Centre for Development Studies (KRPLLD. Second. and with a further cut. Govt of India has ceased by the year 2000-01 In the same year.87 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . CDS) and consultancy payments by Local Self government institutions provide some relief to the m ~ v e m e n t . n. the real problems are those of forging a collective will to redirect those resources to new priorities that address urgent socio-economic needs.Government of India and (v) Department of Forest and Environment. p. p. 12lakh.62 a bid. 12. the objectives of the foreign funding agencies could undermine selfreliance within India. try to avoid taking up responsibility when requested. faith and respect that were to be central for all the later Parishad actrv~ties were developed".The Style of Work The KSSI' has developed a methodology of working with the disadvantaged sections The stvle of work has come to be known as Parishaftika It is dificult to define what exactly it means. Fnnk discussions took placc through out day and night. do not keep proper accounts.M Some of the most innovative programmes of the KSSP have evolved from informal gatherings. do nit fulfill the tasks volunteered. frankness. friendship and collectivity. A report of the Is' Annual camp at Peechi in 1975 says: It was a commune of the best Parishad activists rather than office bearers. It is through them that a collective leadership has emerged. no one continues in an official post for more than two years And it is normal for a leading activist not to be even in the executive committee " Numerous informal meetings are organized in the name of Annual Camp. It is still an experience that the activists recall with a lot of affection. There is hardly an instance of manipulation or struggle for o f i c ~ a lposit~ons By tradition. Its greatest asset is self-emerging volunteers The utmost importance is attached to personal relations between activrsts To quote the I'ravarthaka Pariseelana Rekha (guideline for activist train~ng) Those whb do not reply to Ictters. simplicity. p 1 9 KSSP n. n 4. the KSSP style of work is characterized by informality.25. Really a Parishad family had been evolving and it was therc that the mutual friendship. do not see the link between the work of theirs and others. In contrast to that of many other organizations. p 75 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . instead of creative criticism confine '' Issac and Ekbal. t'r~vorthakaPonseeluna KeWla 19RI (Tnvandnull. Science and Society'. n 19.oodncss of the Ihi~man being. agitation for better health care system and against environmental degradation. spoken word. having published more than 1000 titles and producing 30 to 40 new titles per year. theatre and to a limited extent electronic media. high school students and the general public The KSSP also organizes every now and then massive lecture campaigns on a variety of topics and each campaign will result in several thousand lectures.themselves to grumbling and gossiping and those who do not have faith in the i. they can ncver become ~ o o d Parishad aeti~ists. p 15 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . which reaches out to hundreds of thousands of people. It started h c t i o n i n g in an attempt to popularize science among the masses The present ideology is the evolutionary product of its activities and experiences It evolved through science jathas.~' The KSSP uses several media to communicate. postures. It has organized massive leaflet campaigns on many subjects.66 Xdeology The ideology of the KSSP is epitomized by its slogan "Science for Social Revolution". The KSSP has developed a unique form of theatre. 198 1). The KSSP is India's largest science publisher. printed word. fight " KSSP. folk and proscenium theatre called 'Kalajadha' or Gal-avan of Art. study and discussion on the 'Wealth of Kerala'. p 99 66 KSSP. The KSSP was not built upon the foundations of a previously defined ideology. several thousand lectures delivered on 'Nature. The KSSP is also publ~shing three Science Magazines separately for primary school ch~ldren. which is a combination of street. Issac and Ekbal. p.rational energy.D. 1304 . n.4.n. of The vast majority that are getting lmmiserised or are under the threat of ~mmiserisationconstitute the people.. Such a society cannot be individualistic and competitive but collective and cooperativc The KSSP is partisan to thc interest of the people and thls partisanship constitutes its Science should become a powerful weapon in the hands o f the majority in their fight against impoverishment. universal education and research on contemporary problems of development '" The KSSP considers that science is not value free. p." 67 6x KSSP. 1. to ensure that we get a society where science can be properly uscd".for. at least for the part of the time. n. An important characteristic of the KSSP is its partisanship with the cause of majority" 69 As J. thcrc is a rninonty who has ownership and control of rcsourccs and a majority without such advantages. It can and will have partisanship Thus viewed..24. The reorganization of society in order to reverse thc process of immiscrisation and enable every citizen to lead a full and rlch life is social revolut~on. the KSSP too is not impartial. T o quote lssac and Ekbal: In the society we live. '" Bemal. n. to come out of his own speciality and to work together with all other likeminded people in the different walks of life. It is therefore the business of the scientists.305.4-5. But they cannot do it without the information that only the scientists possess.. that is one that in the last resort must be settled by the people as a whole. pp.248. The process of development has bcen a process of'imrniser~sat~on the ma~orityand enrichment of the minority. pp.2. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . " Parameswaran. Bemal comments: Thc job of using science for human betterment is also primarily political.7. . from nation states to global state~essness.. a world where people have become wise enough to distinguish needs from greeds.'~ Over . It strives to a m r the majority with the weapon of science and technology in their tight against impoverishment. for a world order resting on local self governments. expose and oppose of the abuse of environment. on every issue.49.5 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam .based on informal cooperation of hundreds and thousands of national cultural groupings.18-19. from the individual to the society. and propose and -help implement alternative models for development.The KSSP takes. of the role of Science and 71 '' Ibid." The KSSP stands for a world order. a stand partisan to the majority. For this the KSSP strives to popularize science and scientific outlook among the people.the last four decades. p. KSSP. against the exploiters. develop a sense of optimism in them. with emphasis on equity and sustainability Finally it strives to carry out Research and Development work to transform lab technologies intomass technologies. 11. instill in them a sense of self-confidence that they can change the world and build a better tomorrow. a world which has said goodbye to all wars. a world which has become capable of satisfying the needs of all and a world which has learned to use its limited resources in a sustainable manner That such a world has to be built from bottom upwards. pp. Determined to expose and oppose the abuse of scientific knowledge detrimental to the interests of majority. based on creative and participatory democracy. the KSSP has developed into a movement capable of making concrete analysis of the society. of the changing world situation and of the concrete manner in which the have nut. every other process was sacrificed to the idea of development. That it could breed its own patterns of social oppression was neither Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . Since they had to develop in order to overturn their legacies of underdevelopment. Development was considered to be a value-free social process and a desirable end. It is to empower the people to manage their own affairs democratically. By the late 1980s. the KSSP has started very serious discussions on the- concept of 'development'. It was held that development was the imperative of the time and politics was subsidiary to development. in 1974 the KSSP adopted the slogan 'Science for Social Revolution'. It also undertakes that science is a p o w e h l weapon in the hands of the rich minority. The dominant political question of the post-independent period in the Third World has been how to develop. It recognizes the fact that Indian society is broadly divided into two groups: a large majority which is getting continuously impoverished or threatened with impoverishment and a small minority which gets continuously enriched at the expense of the majority. enabling them to appropriate for themselves more than proportionate share of social production.Technology in it. Politics came to be subordinated to economics.^ can use scientific and technical knowledge as a weapon in their fight against immiserisation. This is partly due to the emerging world situation and partly due to the increased capability of the movement to go beyond science popularization or literacy. of the problems of development. The fight for democracy is also a fight against the minority which appropriates democracy for itself. "Power and Knowledge in Development Discourse: New Social Movements and State in India". 127 (1991). capitalism and socialism was similarly statist in their orientation.Alremtives ." M. International SocialSclence Journal.Dubo&s.32. Capital I (Moscow. ir ~p. 1977). destroy every remnant of charm in his work and turn it into a hated toil. The kind o f doubts or alternatives now being put forward were certainly not a feature of the dominant discussions in that period" The ideal state became the developmentalist state. International Social Science Journal.601.1-30. Neera Chandhoke. "Power and Regenerative Pmcesses in M c o Spaces".p. 16 f 1991). P. 117 (1988).People's Rights Social Move~nent. pp. 15 Karl M m . and exploitation of the producers. MFriberg and B.34 1-6 1. 173-90. pp.Rahnema. "The Governance of the Thud World : A Foucauldian Perspective on Power Relations in Development" . and and drag his w ~ f c child beneath the juggernaut of capital.Paraguli.361-75. they mutilate the labour into a fragment of a man. Development empowered the state in a way that other ideologies could not. 117 (1988). M. degrade him to the level of an appendage of a machine.Hettne. "The Assertion of Civil Society Against (he State: The Case of the Post Colonial World* in Manoranjan Mohanty etal.recognized nor apprec~ated. indeed development itself became a n ideology74 Karl Marx noted in Capital f All means for thc development of production transform themselves into means of domination over. (eds.p. '3 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam .). they transform his life time into worlung time. pp. The notion of development was based on a pervasive belief rhat society need to be guided in the channels of reform because it was unable to regulate itself The project of development itself was uncritically accepted in much o f the mainstream thinking. Inrernational Social Science Journal. A central role for the state was accepted by both Marxist and liberal states. they estrange from him the ~ntcllectualpotentialities of the labour-processes in the s q e proportions as science is incorporated in it as an independent power. they distort the conditions under which he works. subjects him during the labour process to a despotism the more hateful for its meanness.~ the ond Stare In the Third World (New Delhi. 1998). "Local Mobilization and World System P~litics'~. (eds.K. .P. social and political spheres. As an economic project it had to be subordinated to political project to ensure justice. p.Rethinking Development Kerala 3 Oevslopnr#?nt Experience (New Delhi. n. 134. 1997). p.76 All goods and services which have exchange values and even ose values need not have welfare values The measurement of development in terms of GNP is unsatisfactory as it is a money measure which does not bother about qualitative and distributive aspects Welfare depends not only on wealth but also on equity.).'The laws of progress of capital. so that their exploitation element could be regulated and even eradicated. Marx believed. M. create unforeseen and unprecedented destruct~onof communities and of traditional ways of life He looked for an agent who would be able to transform these forces and make them serve humanity. o u t of their subhuman conditions in the economic." M. "development must be understood as enabling the majority of our people to come.al. '* M. The Science -~ 76 I7 -~- Chandhoke. The iron laws of development were to be transformed and controlled.Prasad. who would be able to bring the laws of progress under control. justice and wisdom.Oommen. Humanity is being drawn into an unfathomable whirlpool generated by the relentless laws of capitalism.A.The FfghtforSun~ivol (New Delhi. Drinking water.206. Never before it had to face with such rapid and unpredictable changes.42 Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam .Prasad observes.'?he Lessons of Silcnt Valley" in Anll Aganval et. and in this way made us aware of the politics of development. sanitation and houstng must be provided before we talk of prestigious projects and programmes" '' Human society is passing through a critical period. p. "Kerala Model : Prospects and Problems" in M.wisdom of using resources and wealth.Parameawaran.74..K. 1987). 15760.the KSSP had accepted the slogan of "Science for Social Revolution" 28 years ago . The small cannot survive in a global market dominated by the large. Tomorrow". the power taken by 79 - M. The small has to become powerful enough to withstsind the onslaughts of global economies. production has to be increased several times without losing the grip on distribution. Today. Power to the people has been one of the central slogans of the KSSP. The social revolution . The KSSP is a movement to make the small powerful. The have-nots do not want 'fair distribution of poverty'. This can be achieved by the strengthening of smaller societies both politically and economically.and Technology revolution has also led to the 'globalization' of economy of individual nations The Multi-National Companies are able to effect global division of labour Control over raw materials. to make democracy and development real and participative. They want the satisfaction of basic needs and be assured of minimum comforts. The KSSP has been sensitive to this situation The importance given to empower the people is based on this understanding.envisioned was nothing short of the process of havenots taking control of the societal processes. "20" Cenhuy Sc~ence. but the mobilization of every citizen to creatively participate in the process of production to satisfy the basic minimum needs and comforts of all.IADD1. For this. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam .P Pacuneswaran.79 It becomes imperative to cut open a new path of continuous strengthening of democracy. pp.Reporl on the Workshop (1996). Beyond the Metropolis Kerala S a m Sahitya Parishad Yesterday. The long-term objective is not unlimited and exponential increase in the production of goods and services. capital and market and even labour is becoming more and more centralized. campaign for people oriented approaches to health. initiating field experiments in participatory planning. The KSSP and Appropriate Technology Development and The KSSP and Environment and Development. The KSSP and PPrticipstory Development. literacy campaign. will not kindly take to the concept of strengthening Democracy.the people and not given to them They could wield power only when they can wield science and technology. propose and help implement alternative models for development. fighting them. fighting against the use of science and technologv against the mechanizations of the developed nations to recolonise the developing nations. can democracy be strengthened. It involved exposing and fighting against anti-people policies of government. fighting them incessantly. energy conservation programmes. campaign for decentralized democracy and local level planning. Prepared by BeeHive Digital Concepts Cochin for Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam . Only through. both of developed and developing nations. expose and oppose the abuse of environment. All these actives of the KSSP are discussed in the succeeding chapters titled. carry out Research and Development work to transform lab technologies into mass technologies etc. fighting against the treacherous elements within the developing nations. that is to empower the people with the weapon of science and technology The haves of the world.