given a badge to identify himself as a member of the SS. So a badge was prepared; round-shaped, on which the name Shetkari Sanghatana appeared in white letters against the red background. (Its similarity to the national flag of Switzerland having a white cross on red background was striking.) Initially the badge was made of plastic but later it was replaced with a metal badge keeping the same design. This little badge over the years became a matter of great pride for all farmers belonging to SS, gave them a sense of brotherhood and they wore it on their chest wherever they went. Warkari was launched and in the same week an occasion for another struggle arose. After a few months NAFED stopped purchase of onion and the trade shifted back in the hands of the private traders. Warkari carried the news and farmers were agitated. SS protested strongly and compelled NAFED to resume its purchase. But that time, instead of earlier range of Rs. 45 to 60 per quintal, they brought it down to Rs. 40 a quintal for all grades of onion. SS again protested and on 14 November, earlier price band was restored. That helped farmers realize the importance of SS and Warkari. Apart from reporting the activities of SS, Warkari also used to have news items concerning overall agriculture. For instance, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Sharad Pawar had returned from a tour of gulf countries and he had stated that the onion from Chakan was in great demand there, fetching the equivalent of as much as Rs. 700 a quintal. It is interesting to note that the rate offered by NAFED then was just Rs. 45 to 60 a quintal. From the third issue, the slogan “India versus Bharat” appeared on the masthead of the weekly. In the first issue itself a slogan “Bharat Zindabad” had appeared on the first page. In the third issue a second line was added to that slogan saying ‘India Murdabad.’ It showed the increasingly belligerent character of SS. In the fourth issue, on the first page, a list of 22 Onions in Chakan : First Spark
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