9.
Building Shetkari Sanghatana After onion struggle of Chakan and sugarcane struggle of Nashik, Sharad Joshi realized the need to strengthen Shetkari Sanghatana (SS), the organization he had launched on 8 August 1979. With that objective he organized three training camps for his followers even before the tobacco struggle of Nipani. The first one was at Alandi in April 1980 which has already been mentioned. The second camp was at Wardha on 1 January 1981. Ravi Kashikar and Vijay Jawandhiya played a leading role in organizing it. Economics, organization and farmers’ struggle were three topics discussed. About hundred workers attended. Discussions were recorded and later the transcript was made by Prof. Suresh Ghate. It was published in a 40-page booklet titled Bharatiya shetichi paradhinata (suzerainty of Indian Farming). Attendees found the discussions enriching but inadequate and generally felt that the time was rather short. Hence for fifty selected followers a third camp was organized on 26 and 27 February 1981 at Ambajogai in Beed district. Shrirangnana More had taken initiative for it. He had been actively working for the welfare of the farmers even before Joshi came on the horizon and also used to publish a fortnightly called Bhumisevak. He provided all the facilities like accommodation, hall, rooms or food for this residential camp. Even during this camp all the discussions and speeches were recorded, but somehow the task of making a transcript remained pending. When White Gold Turned Red
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