India

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Two workshops, five village rallies and village meetings in connection of Global Days of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS), organised by Rural Development and Youth Training Institute.

These activities included discussions in detail about India’s military spending in comparision to expenditure in poverty alleviation and programmes such as SDGs, which is very low. Taxes going to warfare preparation should instead go to clean water access, health, nutrition, literacy etc. It was highlighted the need to put pressure on the Indian Government (MPs, MLAs and elected leaders), so that they would reduce the military budget and redirect those resources to Community Development programmes. Three budget experts actively participated in a workshop and village rallies.

Lecture by Elizabeth Minor, member of the International Steering Group of the nobel prize winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and of the UK based NGO Article 36. Chairperson: Anuradha Chenoy, retired professor from the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies. It took place at 11:30 at the Ho Chi Minh Conference Room of the Jamia Miillia Islamia of New Delhi.

Three workshops, plus several village Rallies and several village meetings have been organized in Kota (RAJASTHAN), in connection with GDAMS 2018, “Cut Military Spending – Fund Human Needs”. We have discussed in detail about our Military Spending expenses on – Huge Forces,  Missiles, Aircraft, Guns etc. – Whereas, our Poverty alleviation activities expenses  (Millennium Development Goals etc.) are very low. And therefore, there is no need to heavy expenditure on Military Spending expenses in our country, India. Our all taxes are going on Military expenses, Weapons, Warfare preparation, instead of to solve the drinking water, Health and food problems, Literacy etc., So we are living in very bad condition and we should put the pressure to our Government through Member of Parliament – MP, MLA and elected leaders, that they must deduct (reduce), Budget of Military Spending and this money should be used in Community Development activities – MDG activities. Energy Crises, Creating of new jobs for youths  or tackling poverty and climate change problems and other social issues. Priorities must be fixing in connection of our National Agenda or Development agenda. Three -Budget experts, had also actively participated in our workshop and village rallies in connection to GDAMS 2018. Our GDAMS Campaign 2018 and workshop news have also published in News papers ,and due to this efforts, a very good environment have become formed in our region and discussion is continue in educated people , Youths  and activists. Our all activities will be continuing in whole week from 15th April to May 3rd 2018. – Organized by: Rural Development &  Youth Training Institute, 1-K-22 Dadabari, Kota-324009 (RAJASTHAN). Look at the photo report here! – Contact: JAMBU KUMAR JAIN, Convener – jambusuman@yahoo.com

April 18 to 20th, 2017
On 18th , 19th and 20th April 2017, Two workshops have been organized in connection on the Global Days of action on Military Spending (GDAMS)-2017. Three Budget experts, had also actively participated in our workshop and village rallies.We had discussed in detail about our Military Spending expenses on – Huge Forces, Missiles, Aircraft, Guns etc, Whereas, our Poverty alleviation activities expenses ( Millennium Development Goals etc.) are very low . And therefore, there is no need to heavy expenditure on Military Spending expenses in our country, India.

Our all taxes are going on Military expenses, Weapons, Warfare preparation, instead of to solve the drinking water, Health and food problems, Literacy etc., So we are living in very bad condition and we should put the pressure to our Government through Members of Parliament – MP, MLA and elected leaders, that they must deduct (reduce) the Budget of Military Spending and this money should be used in Community Development activities – MDG activities. Energy Crises, Creating of new jobs for youths or tackling poverty and climate change problems and other social issues. Priorities must be fixing in connection of our National Agenda or Development agenda.

Our GDAMS –Campaign and workshop news have also published in News papers as well as broadcast in local TV and Radio and due to this efforts, a very good environment have become formed in our region and discussion is continue in educated people , Youths and activist. On Military Spending –GDAMS-2017.

Our all activities will be continuing in whole week from 18th April to 27th April 2017.
We have also action plan for whole one year 2017-activities on this issue through our Social activist and well wishers and local NGOs in Rural areas.

Contact: Jambu Kumar Jain, Convener, Rural Development & Youth Training Institute, 1 K 22 Dadabari , Kota 324009 , Rajasthan – India

April 18 to 20th, 2017

Village Meetings at Kota – India
Discussion in a village meeting about future plans on the Global days of action on Military Spending. Discussion with village Leaders on global military expenditure and our drinking water and health problems issue. The objective is to pressure our MP, MLA and elected Leaders to focus their attention to these problems.

Jambu Kumar Jain – Convener
Organized by RDYTI, the Rural Development and Youth Training Institute

The rallies took place in the Mandar-Gar and Jaspura villages in the Kota District, Rajastha. About 175 rural youths, farmers, women, and girls and boys actively participated in the campaign. All the participants made a vow that they will not tolerate armed violence or the misuse of guns in their communities.

April 18 to 20th, 2017

Four Village Rallies
Village Women Rally at Kota – India
Women rally on Global Military Expenditure 2017 and our drinking water and health problems. The goal is to pressure to our MP, MLA and elected Leaders to attention our government in this regard.

Yes, we need drinking water, schools for children and not Military Expenditure

We need seeds for agriculture and irrigation facilities for agriculture and not Weapons.

We have to mobilize and put the pressure to our elected leaders to reduce our Military Expanses and to use this money for our development activities .

Rural women participated in GDAMS 2017 Rallies
Jambu Kumar Jain – Convener
Organized by RDYTI, the Rural Development and Youth Training Institute

On 13th , 14th and 15th  April 2014, two workshops, four village Rallies and village meetings were organized in connection with Global day of action on Military Spending (GDAMS).-2014. They had discussed in detail about India’s Military Spending expenses on  Huge Forces,  Missiles, Aircraft ,Guns  etc in comparison with poverty  alleviation activities expenses  (Millennium Development Goals etc.) which are very low. And therefore, it was insisted that there is no need for heavy Military expenditure  in India.

It was mentioned that taxes are spent on  Military expenditure, Weapons, Warfare preparation, instead of  solving the drinking water,  Health and food problems, Literacy problems etc. So it was insisted that there needs to be increased pressure on the Government through Member of Parliament – MP, MLA and elected leaders, that they must reduce the budget for Military Spending and this money should be used in Community Development activities – MDG activities, Energy Crises, Creating of new jobs for youths or tackling poverty and climate change problems and other social issues. Priorities must be fixed in connection of the National Agenda or Development agenda.

Secondly, Budget experts had also actively participated in the workshop and village rallies in connection with GDAMS. The GDAMS Campaign and workshop news have also been published in News papers as well as broadcast in local TV and Radio and due to this efforts, there is increased discussion among educated people, Youths  and activists, on Military Spending.

A workshop on GDAMS has been conducted in Thekkady, Kerala. The workshop was inaugurated by member of Dist.Panchayat, Idukki,Kerala. 10 press reporters and 15 politicians and 10 peace activists  participated in this programme. A resolution on cutting of military spending in India has been passed by participants. The resolution will be sent to Govt of India in due course.

Cut Military Spending, Fund Human Need

New Delhi, 15 April 2013: Over 100 organisations from all over the world came together to observe the Global Day of Action on Military Spending. This coordinated global effort constitutes a civil society movement for change. Indian civil society led by Control Arms Foundation of India(CAFI) & Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network(MWGSN) successfully observed the day today.

A mass public action was successfully organised in India’s capital New Delhi to join the “Global Day of Action on Military Spending: Cut Military Spending, Fund Human Need”. The venue/s of the event are the three historic sites of Raj Ghat (The shrine of Mahatma Gandhi’s resting place), India Gate and Dilli Hatt.

CAFI and MWGSN joined thousands around the world demanding that our government/s reduce military spending and devote those precious resources to pressing human needs. We sent a message that $1.5 trillion spent on military budget is too much. Our action was significant especially as India continue to be the primary importers of arms as in 2013. India has now emerged as the largest arms importer in the world, overtaking China. India accounted for 9% of all international arms imports between 2006-2013, making it the world`s largest weapons importer.

The Awareness programme started from Raj Ghat and ended at Dilli Haat; during the event more than 200 fliers were distributed to the general public and members explained about the military expenditure. Later we submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister of India and Union Defence Minister. We called upon government of India and South Asia to: To cut military expenditure and the saved fund to be deployed towards combating and providing social security. We also call upon government to stop building up nuclear arsenals, and to support the Mine Ban Treaty,Convention on Cluster Munitions & the recently agreed Arms Trade Treaty. We also called upon India to take the lead in international humanitarian disarmament which was the pillar of India’s Foreign Policy in 1950s and 1960s

Campaigners in India asked the govt of India: “When people are dying of poverty, can security and arms provide them with a basic square meal? In a country where poverty is rampant and where there is great deal to be done in the fields of health and education, we cannot be spending so much on defence. Our battle is against starvation and deprivation, which cannot be fought with guns and missiles”

For photos of event, please log on to http://neiwip.blogspot.in/p/photos.html. For more information, please contact: Office of the Control Arms Foundation of India & Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network at www.cafi-online.org and www.womensurvivors.org

Read the press release: Cut Military Spending, Fund Human Need. 

As a member of IPB, the Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection arranged a advocacy event on Cost of Military spending and effects on socio – economical development of India. The Member of Provincial Parliament, Zilla Parishad and political leaders from centre to grass roots attended and addressed the people. More than 156 delegates from all walks of life attended the seminar.

Noted economist Dr. Phadnaik, narrated that India is one the highest spender on military weapons and it surpass the China. Basic amenities like water, sanitation, housing, nutritional foods, education which are basis needs of the people are sacrificed due to huge spending on arms by our government. Arms race is futile add it will not serve any purpose but enhance the poverty and degrade the development of society in general and poor people in particular.

Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey, informed the delegates the works of IPB and other organization in the world regarding spreading the message of Action on Military Spending and need to curb the military spending for the benefit of humanity and development.

Dr. Karade, Member of Provincial Parliament was amaze to see the effects of military spending and its effects on development. He informed that many politicians and  policy makers are not aware regarding  effects of military spending on society and development.

Mr. Tekade, a Zilla Parishad leader also stressed that the money which are spent on arms can be diverted towards the development of people. He requested the IIPDEP and IPB that political leaders and people are not aware of the horrible impact of military spending on development.

After lunch, the session was devoted for discussion and feedback. Many delegated who are leaders in their areas and localities stress the need of curbing the spending on military weapons. They will build the public pressure on government to curb the military spending and solve the problems with neighbours in diplomatic channels.

See the photos of the seminar here.

Control Arms Foundation of India/Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network

On 17 April 2012, members of our joint network organised an awareness programme at Dilli Hatt, INA market, where fliers were distributed to the public. The members and volunteers explained and distributed fliers to more than 200 people in Delhi Haat to join and support the cause (to cut military spending and fund more on human needs) for better peace and development in India and the world as a whole. Later 7 memorandum were submitted to to the Indian Prime Minister and his cabinet calling for cutting military spending and fund more on human needs.

Shri Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
Shri Satpal Maharaj Chairman, Standing Committee on Defence
Shri S.M. Krishna, Ministry of External Affairs
Shri E. Ahamed, Ministry of State External Affairs
Smt. Preneet Kaur, Ministry of State External Affairs
Dr. M. Mangapati Pallam Raju, Ministry of State for Defence
Smt. Sushma Swaraj Member of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha

Independent organizer

50 members and 89 students attended a round table meeting in Kerala. Many students raised their objection on our government plan to raise defense funds in the future. During the discussion it was decided that:
1) We will conduct a campaign for memorandum submission before our govt in the future
2) we will raise our voice against defense budget
3) we will contact our MPs and MLAs in this regard
4) we will conduct some seminar in our area in the future
5) We have planned to conduct classes among students after reopening of our schools

Rural Development & Youth Training Institute

On 15th, 16th and 17th April 2012, we organized two workshop and five village rallies and village meetings in connection with the Global day of action on Military Spending (GDAMS) 2012.

We discussed in detail India’s military spending expenses on Huge Forces, Missiles, Aircraft, Guns etc. Meanwhile, our Poverty alleviation activities expenses (Millennium Development Goals etc.) are very low. And therefore, there is no need for heavy expenditure on Military Spending expenses in our country.

All our taxes are going to Military expenses, Weapons, Warfare preparation, instead of to solve the drinking water, Health and food problems, Literacy etc. So we are living in very bad condition and we should put the pressure to our Government through Member of Parliament – MP, MLA and elected leaders, that they must reduce the budget of Military Spending and this money should be used in Community Development activities – MDG activities. Energy Crises, Creating of new jobs for youths or tackling poverty and climate change problems and other social issues. Priorities must be fixing in connection of our National Agenda or Development agenda.

Two Budget experts had also actively participated in our workshop and village rallies in connection of GDAMS.

Our GDAMS Campaign and workshop have also published in News papers as well as broadcast in local TV and Radio and due to this efforts, a very good environment have become formed in our region and discussion is continuing among educated people, youths and activists.

Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection

“We arranged a seminar for the Global Day of Action on Military Spending on April 12 2011. Prominent politicians, bureaucrats, policy makers, activists, and NGOs participated in the event.”

Rural Development & Youth Training Institute (RDYTI)
“On 11 and 12 April 2011, we organized two workshops, village rallies, and meetings in connection with the Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS). We discussed in detail about our military expenditures in comparison with poverty alleviation activities (Millennium Development Goals) in our country.

“Two budget experts actively participated in our workshops and village rallies. News of our campaign and workshop were published in newspapers as well as broadcast on local TV and radio. A very good environment has emerged in our state, and discussion continues among educated people, youths, and activists.”

Control Arms Foundation of India / Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network

“A vigil and drumming ceremony was organized at India Gate, where fliers were distributed to the public. We later submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Singh and also to members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence.

“Our battle is against starvation and deprivation, which cannot be fought with guns and missiles. In our memorandum, we call upon government of India to:

1. Cut military expenditures and deploy the saved funds towards combating poverty and providing social security.
2. Support the United Nations process for an international Arms Trade Treaty.
3. Call upon governments in South Asia to support the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
4. Take the lead in international humanitarian disarmament, which was the pillar of India’s Foreign Policy in 1950s and 1960s.
5. Include women in peace, security, and disarmament issues.”

Photo credit: Kausiki Sarma