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| Port of Call-Cochin |
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| A young Karala inhabitant contemplates the new arrivals |
Rounding the tip of Sri Lanka at night, Peace Boat's
arrival in India was heralded by the verdant plains and palm trees
of Kerala State, whose name means Land of Coconuts Despite the lush
scenery, Kerala is an resource and energy deficient state burdened
with particularly high population density, yet is remarkable for its
superior literacy and life-expectancy rates (comparable to those in
developed nations), as well as strong political mobilisation at all
levels. This phenomenon of low per-capita income contrasted with a
high level of human development has been termed the Kerala model・in
the international development community. These achievements can be
partly credited to the work of the KSSP (Kerala People's Science Movement)
which was founded in 1962 to popularise science in Malayalam (the
local language). It has since expanded its field of interest and activities
to encompass almost all forms of human endeavour・(http://www.south-asian-initiative.org/kssp/)
and, through collaborative projects, it encourages people to play
a more active role in society in order to raise the quality of life
for all. The KSSP also promotes decentralised democracy, sustainable
models of development and implements programmes to preserve the local
environment for future generations. Run by more than sixty thousand
volunteers from all walks of life, the organisation operates without
overseas financial aid and defines itself as a grass-roots movement
rather than an NGO. |
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| A Kudumbasree women's group demonstrates gives a soap-making workshop |
Peace Boat's exchange programme visited villages
in the Ernakulam district, where the district president of the KSSP
was helped by representatives of the Panchayat (local government)
and villagers in introducing participants to the diversity of local
activities. Walking down the tracks past houses roofed in corrugated
iron, papaya and mango trees and the odd goat grazing peacefully,
Peace Boat members were soon surrounded by locals, demanding photos
and bombarding them with questions in English, before cramming into
the local community centre to be revived by juice from straw-pierced
coconuts. The coordinator of the local Kudumbasree (self-help) women's
projects, of which there are 200 groups in the district, totaling
2500 members (over 20% of the local female population), spoke of their
aim to reduce poverty and gender inequality through the empowerment
of women. With the support of the KSSP, who provide trained volunteers
to instruct members in production techniques of items such as toilet
soap, umbrellas and washing powder, as well as supplying them with
raw materials to ensure high quality end-products, the women form
profit-sharing cooperatives. In twice-weekly meetings, one of which
Peace Boat members were invited to attend, the groups also discuss
issues such as basic sanitation and ways to combat the depression
of local markets caused by an influx of products by multinationals. |
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| Local children display origami made for Peace Boat's visit
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Peace Boat's next visit was to a Balavedi (kids
platform・in Malayalam), an informal group held twice a week after
school, which teaches through songs, science experiments and fun activities,
bridging gaps between caste, age, gender and religion. Here, participants
learnt how to make an origami frog alongside the children, an activity
that grew out of the Balavedi's peace studies on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Other adult education programmes, run by KSSP activists, focus on
maintaining literacy levels, raising awareness of health and environmental
issues and, by arming the impoverished majority with scientific knowledge
and self-confidence, enabling villagers to play a part in local affairs
and develop optimism in the future. |
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| Eri, a Peace Boat participant, making friends with the locals |
On return to Kalimugal village community centre,
Peace Boat participants were treated to performances of traditional
dance, song and Kala Jatha, a form of street theatre developed by
the KSSP which uses drama, lectures and house visits to promote discussion
of local issues. Participants responded with a Bon Odori dance and
traditional Japanese songs before being introduced to their homestay
families. Despite the late hour, many were presented with lavish meals
consisting of local specialities, and conversations continued late
into the night. In a final address the following morning, local KSSP
representatives thanked Peace Boat for interacting with the families
in the village and learning about their activities, and expressed
the belief that the visit had contributed to good relations between
individuals and India and Japan as nations. Peace Boat members echoed
the sentiments of goodwill and expressed admiration of the achievements
of the local communities before host families and guests bid each
other a fond farewell. |
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| Curries to tempt even the most jaded world traveller!
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Other exchange programmes took participants and
the International Students to nearby villages to try their hand at
making curry, attempt the local sport of Kabbadi, and see the lives
of local people. In Cochin, Kerala's largest city, participants were
intrigued by the immense Chinese Fishing Nets and fragrant spice farms
and captivated by the spectacles of traditional South Indian dance
and Kathakali theatre. Due to its long history as an international
port, Cochin is home to many religions, with Hindus forming thirty
percent of the population, Christians thirty percent and the remainder
a mix of other faiths including Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Sufi etc.
Reflecting this diversity, Peace Boat tours visited churches, synagogues
and a Jewish town as well as taking in Mattancherry Palace, Fort Cochin
and the bustling streets of Ernakulam. There were also chances to
experience yoga and ayurvedic massage, try on sari and take a leisurely
trip down waterways fringed with palm trees. Replete with curry and
bindi bespangled, participants climbed their weary way onto the ship,
most resolving that Peace Boat's brief visit to this fascinating country
would not be their last. |
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| Peace Boat's
39th Voyage index |
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PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
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